Schenley girls' volleyball coach Pete Vitti has had an exchange student play for his team three consecutive years and with mixed results.

But this year, it appears he has drawn a winner.

"I never know what I'm getting when an exchange student tries out for the team," Vitti said. "Last year, I had a girl who came out just for something to do.

"This year, was much different. As soon as I saw Katharina in her first practice, I knew she would be one of the best players in the City League."

Vitti is referring to Katharina Bueker, a 5-foot-11 junior middle hitter from Germany.

"Katharina is actually staying with us," Vitti said. "My wife and I know very little German, but my daughters, who are in seventh and ninth grade, have been learning German since they were in kindergarten. It's a good experience for the girls, because it allows them to practice their German with somebody who is fluent."

Bueker's presence is appreciated on the volleyball court as well. She played a big part in leading the Spartans to a second consecutive City League title.

"I was expecting a rebuilding year," Vitti said. "We had nine players graduate and had only three players with varsity experience returning. Having Katharina in the lineup allowed us to rebuild much more quickly than I thought we would."

Schenley retained its City League title last Thursday. The Spartans were seeded first in the four-team playoff bracket.

"We beat Brashear, 2-0, in the first round, then Carrick upset Allderdice, 2-1," Vitti said. "We beat Carrick, 2-0, in our next match. That left us as the only remaining unbeaten team."

Allderdice rebounded in the consolation bracket and earned the chance to face Schenley in the title match. Under the tournament format, Allderdice needed to beat Schenley twice to win the title. It didn't matter, as Schenley posted a 2-1 victory, thus claiming a second consecutive City League title.

"We were down, 15-8 and 20-15, during the first set, but came back to beat them, 25-23. We lost the second game, 25-21, but came back to win 15-13 in the third game. Allderdice gave us all we could handle, but we came out on top."

Vitti uses a seven-player rotation that includes three players from last year's squad, 6-0 junior middle hitter Hannah Guy, 5-4 junior outside hitter Sonya Meyers and 5-5 junior setter Anna Wimer.

"Hannah lettered on the front line as a freshman, then started mostly on the right side last year," Vitti said. "This year, we've moved her to the middle. Sonya is one of my best passers. She played in the back row last year, but we needed her in the front row this year."

Wimer was the Spartans lone setter last year in a 5-1 offense. This year, she is sharing the setting duties with Vitti's daughter, Anna, a 5-5 freshman.

"Anna Wimer could pass for a twin of my daughter Anna," coach Vitti said. "This year, we've been running a 6-2 offense with both girls hitting in the front row. We also use a 5-1 on occasion. It's worked out very well."

The other two members of Vitti's seven-player rotation are Danielle Akrie and Naomi Purnell. Akrie is a 5-7 sophomore, who hits mostly from the right side. Purnell is a 5-2 sophomore libero.

The City League title qualifies Schenley for the PIAA playoffs, which begin Nov. 9.

"I know we will be facing the WPIAL champion," Vitti said. "I'll have to wait until Saturday to find out which team we play. Regardless of who we play, it will be a stiff challenge for us. But we're looking forward to the challenge."

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