The Plum High School girls' volleyball team has made seven WPIAL Class AAA playoff appearances since 2000 and second-year coach Sara Kirsch-D'Angelo has continued that success.

Kirsch-D'Angelo led the Mustangs to a third-place finish in Section 4-AAA last season and is closing in on another playoff berth this season. Plum and Shaler are tied for second place in the section at 5-2 behind Penn Hills, which is unbeaten at 7-0 in section play.

"I didn't have much time to work with the girls when I was hired last season," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "It's been much easier this year because the girls know what to expect from me and I know what to expect from them. It took a year for them to believe in what I was doing.

"I'm a pretty intense practice coach. I've learned that hard work and a strong defense is the key to being successful in this sport. It took the girls a year to realize that my approach will work. They worked very hard during the offseason by attending open gyms and a team camp."

Kirsch is a graduate of Northern Cambria High School and Slippery Rock University. She was a four-year starter at setter at both schools.

"I student-taught at Shaler after I graduated from Slippery Rock," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "That's where my husband is from. I also started coaching with the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club. That's where I met Chelsea Magnusen."

Magnusen is a 5-foot-7 senior setter who is a four-year letter-winner for the Mustangs.

"Chelsea was playing for Pittsburgh Elite at the time," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "Her mother told me about the opening at Plum. I had two coaching offers and decided to pick Plum, because it isn't far from Shaler."

Kirsch-D'Angelo did not get a teaching job at Plum, however.

"I'm teaching at Ford City," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "I'm doing a lot of driving, but I love coaching at Plum."

Magnusen is one of five senior letter-winners for the Mustangs.

"We had three players graduate, including our two starting middle hitters," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "It's been a big transition because middle hitter is a hard position to learn.

"Fortunately, we have a big senior class that has provided good leadership."

Plum's other five seniors are 5-8 outside hitter Kristy Lagnese, 5-9 outside hitter Allie D'Andrea, 5-8 outside hitter Tara Munzek, 5-3 libero Sam Bremmer and 5-7 middle hitter Courtney Marsh.

"Kristy and Tara were full-time starters last year," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "Allie and Sam were part-time starters. Courtney missed the entire season with a torn ACL. She's healthy now and is filling one of our vacancies in the middle."

Kirsch-D'Angelo uses as many as 12 players in most matches.

"We have six seniors, and all six are dependable players," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "Our most consistent hitters are Kristy [Lagnese] and Tara [Muzek]. Both play all six rotations. They have been been consistent on both sides of the court."

The newcomers to the Mustangs varsity are 5-10 sophomore middle hitters Holly Kennedy and Jordan Pogue, 5-6 junior defensive specialist Sarah Jolly, 5-8 junior outside hitters Alicia Anderson and Andi Bachorski, and 5-5 junior back-row specialist Melissa Daugherty.

"Chelsea [Magnusen] is the key to our offense," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "I was a setter in high school and college, so I work even harder with her. She wants to play in college and I want her ready to make that step to the next level."

Plum has been to four tournaments. The Mustangs lost to Penn Hills in the semifinals of the Franklin Regional tournament, fell short of a top three finish at the Shaler tournament, then won the Plum tournament title with a win against Knoch in the finals.

"We were also in the Gateway tournament," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "Our setter was hurt, and two outside hitters were sick, but we still finished second to Franklin Regional."

Plum's only other loss in Section 4-AAA was to unbeaten front-runner Penn Hills.

"Our rematch with Penn Hills is [next Thursday]," Kirsch-D'Angelo said. "They handled us the first time. We just couldn't stop Cory McGowan. We have to find a way to neutralize her."

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.