Not a lot more could have been accomplished by recent Parkland graduate Siena Salvaggio. The two-sport standout was a decorated student-athlete on the court and in the pool. She was a two-time state champion in volleyball and a two-time state gold medalist in swimming, and was named the Parkland Press Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row.

Salvaggio has a team-oriented approach and is the first person to pass credit along to her teammates. When asked about two straight years of gold at the state swimming meet, she highlighted how her teammates also did well, and they pushed each other to accomplish what they had.

As a junior, Salvaggio was a member of the girls state championship volleyball team, and medaled in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at the state meet. So one can say expectations were high for another breakout year in her senior year. She didn’t disappoint.

The Trojans volleyball team finished 2015 at 36-2 and ranked No. 1 in the state while bringing home another gold medal to Parkland.

“Coming into last year, we knew what was expected of us and we knew what we had to do,” Salvaggio said. “Our seniors worked really hard and we wanted to go out on top again. It was all we could’ve asked for [winning states]. It was an amazing experience with teammates that were like sisters to me.”

Five seniors (Salvaggio, Kristin Krause, Avery Perosa, Sam Webber and Erika Foose) were all named to the all-state team at the end of last season.

“It just shows the balance and talent we had on our team,” noted Salvaggio. “Each person on the team was so valuable to our success. We grew together and bonded. It was like a sisterhood and I’m so proud of all that we were able to accomplish.”

During her varsity career, Salvaggio tallied 1,030 kills, 204 blocks, 276 digs, and 85 aces in 343 sets. Almost half of those numbers for each of the categories came in her senior year.

“I worked really hard and prepared for my final season of volleyball,” Salvaggio said. “Kristin [Krause] did a great job of setting us up at the net. She made it easy. We worked on communication and the mental parts of our games, and we all stepped up this year.”

The volleyball season once again ended with a win in the PIAA final in late November. Less than a month later, Salvaggio was in the pool successfully defending her state titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles, and helping to lead the Trojans girls swimming team to its eighth straight district team title.

“Siena’s dual-sport career here at Parkland is honestly one of the greatest in this school’s history,” Parkland swimming and diving head coach Rob Robitaille said. “Both swimming and volleyball require a year-round commitment to be successful. How she managed that, and was able to hold up to the demands of both these worlds, then turn it into back-to-back season gold performances, I’ll never know. I can’t imagine that there are many athletes that could handle that.”

When it came down to deciding a sports path to take in college, it wasn’t an easy decision. With her success in both, there were many opportunities laid out in front of her. But there was one sport she just couldn’t let go.

“As a little kid, everyone kind of starts (swimming) for fun,” Salvaggio said. “It’s something to do. Stay active when you are little. I think when you get to high school, it’s that turning point when you set what your goals are and priorities. I love both sports. At the end of the day, swimming is something I couldn’t live without. I think that was the big decision for me.”

And so during her junior season, Salvaggio committed to Penn State to continue her academic and swimming career.

“Coming from a Penn State family, they were always at the top of my list,” said Salvaggio. “When I went there on a visit, I loved the campus and the team.”

At Penn State, Salvaggio will major in Finance, and begin her collegiate career with meets starting in October.