There are normally four or five names that get mentioned after every Parkland High School girls volleyball match. And deservedly so, they are starters that stack up assists, digs and kills. But there are other Trojans players on the roster that may not rack up the stats, but those players still do very much to help the team consistently succeed on the court.

Following Parkland’s latest victory, a four-set thriller in the state quarterfinal round, head coach Mike Krause wanted it to be known that his team is a lot more than just the six starters and 4-5 players that substitute in. There is more to the roster that needs to be appreciated.

“Our unsung heroes prepare us for practice,” said Krause. “We passed the ball really well [tonight]. They serve so hard at us, so our regulars feel live match situations even at practice. Our hitters give them credit because they put up such great blocks in practice. It’s not as much of a challenge for them then when it comes to the actual competition. The rallies in practice are great and that’s how we are able to score in our matches, the third and fourth balls. These girls make practice so competitive and really get us ready.”

These players Krause highlighted include Harshini Mallipedhi, Kamira Hoover, Alexa Bartman, Hannah Vrablik, Jackie Fekula, Lucy Shellock, Sarah Furey and Ava Brunnabend.

“They place the team first,” said Krause. “They love when they challenge our team and when our team scores on the opponent, it makes them very proud.”

The Trojans defeated the Eagles by scores of 25-18, 22-25, 25-23 and 25-14 last Tuesday night at Exeter High School to advance to Saturday’s state championship match where they will take on District Seven’s one seed, North Allegheny at Cumberland Valley High School at 6 p.m.

Bishop Shanahan, which Parkland knows well as the Eagles normally play in Parkland’s Invitational every year, is always a formidable foe. Like the Trojans, they are a perennial state power that always seems to be playing for a state championship. This time around, Parkland got the better of them.

“They consistently have great players and are well coached,” Krause said on the Eagles. “They rise to the top when the matches mean the most.”

Parkland looks for its first state championship since 2015 and fourth overall under Krause.