Fedora ‘thrilled’ to guide Serra Catholic girls squad
By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
MVI Sports
After the resignation of head coach Ashley Dorn, Serra Catholic brought in a familiar face from a successful era to lead the girls soccer program beginning in 2021.
Serra graduate Tori Fedora – who led the Eagles to their first section title in school history in 2010 as a player – will now lead her alma mater on the pitch. After graduation, Fedora continued her playing career at Eastern Oregon University and Chestnut Hill College before becoming a religion teacher at Serra Catholic.
This is Fedora’s first head coaching job and she is thrilled to be able to begin her career at Serra Catholic.
“The Serra girls soccer program had an incredible impact on me as a player and it’s an honor to start my coaching career with this team,” Fedora said.
Fedora is bringing with her a team first mentality and is hoping it will translate to more success for the Eagles (6-6-1, 4-4-1) on the field.
“We have multiple returning players who will be able to contribute to a winning season this year,” Fedora said of her roster. “We also have a smaller group of incoming players who will also be able to contribute.”
Graduation has taken away a few key contributors from a team that upset Bishop Canevin in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs a year ago. Jaime Dermotta – who now plays at Slippery Rock, Maya Poziviak – who is running cross country at Robert Morris and Gabby Mejalli left Serra after back-to-back appearances in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
This year’s Serra Catholic roster only has three seniors: Kaylin Lee, Macey McCullough and Julia Webster. However there are 11 juniors and several of them have varsity experience and that combination has expectations focused on playing hard.
“Overall, we are an experienced team with several returning upperclassmen,” Fedora said. “Our expectations are that we never get outworked during a game and that we play as a team and for the team.”
Elena Peiffer is one of those Eagle juniors who return. Peiffer, a multi-sport athlete, was the Serra Catholic goalie a year ago. Lauren Maneer is another player who could be in the net at times for Serra.
Fedora expects her team to once again make the WPIAL Playoffs and compete in Sec. 1-1A. She also knows the competition very well.
“So far, the preseason has been going well. We’re impressed with the dedication and determination of our players and are looking forward to the start of the season,” Fedora said.
“I fully believe that this team can make it to the playoffs this season. Greensburg-Central Catholic is always a strong contender in our section, as well as the WPIAL.”
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