NATHAN PREX
Seneca Valley
The past week: Prex scored a hat trick Monday as the Seneca Valley soccer team defeated North Allegheny, 5-0. He had another hat trick in a 7-0 win against Pine-Richland last Thursday.
Check this out: Prex, a senior, is in his first year as a starter and has made a gigantic impact for Seneca Valley, becoming one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL. In the most recent WPIAL statistics, the 6-foot-2 Prex was the leading scorer in Class 4A. He has helped Seneca Valley to a 13-0-1 record and the Post-Gazette’s No. 1 ranking in Class 4A. The Raiders are defending WPIAL and PIAA champs.
What’s the reason you were never a starter before this year? I think one of the reasons was just because of our program here at Seneca Valley. Rather than rebuilding, we just keep bringing in good teams every year. Last year, we won a state championship and had three good senior forwards. Playing behind them, I obviously got to learn a lot of what to do my senior year to help the team be more successful.
You couldn’t have expected to score this much. Last year, I finished with seven goals. I really didn’t want to have only seven this year. During the winter, spring and summer, me and a bunch of my teammates would just train. I was hoping to maybe have around 20 goals. To go past that mark before the end of section play really showed that the work we put in is paying off.
You see a lot of top goal scorers in the lower classifications. Why is it harder to score in the biggest class? I think it’s especially difficult to score in our section because I would argue we have the most difficult section in the state. We’ve got some of the best players in the state just playing in this section. Obviously, there are good players in 1A, 2A and 3A; there’s just not as many on the field at the same time. In Class 4A, everybody is very, very good.
How does this team compare to last year’s? This team learned a lot from last year’s team, just knowing what it takes to get to the top level. Obviously, we’re hoping to do the same thing as last year. But at the same time, we’re just taking one step at a time.
How do you deal with stress? I just regroup with everything. I go back to what I first did. Let’s say I’m not playing too great in the field. Instead of trying to do too much, I would just pass the ball and get my confidence back up rather than try and dribble.
What about off-the-field stress? I talk to people. I think communication is the best thing to help work through things.
Something people might not know what about you? I have two younger brothers [Tyler in ninth grade and Jacob in seventh], and they’re going to be better than me.
— By Mike White
ABBIE MAZIARZ
Bishop Canevin
The past week: Bishop Canevin, ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class 1A, recorded two wins — with Maziarz leading the way — to improve its record to 15-1 and clinch a 15th consecutive playoff berth. Maziarz recorded 10 kills, 3 aces and 4 blocks in a 3-0 win against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Oct. 5. She had 17 kills, 4 aces and 6 blocks in a 3-2 win against Seton LaSalle on Saturday.
Check this out: Maziarz, a 5-foot-10 senior middle hitter, has been voted all-WPIAL Class 1A twice: second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior. She was also recognized on the PVCA all-state team last season. Bishop Canevin has won four consecutive WPIAL titles with Abbie starting on the past two and her sister Maddie (now playing at John Carroll) starting on the first three. In her career, Abbie Maziarz has recorded 438 kills, 107 aces and 127 blocks. She ranks second in career blocks.
When did you start playing volleyball? I started in first grade. My sister Maddie and all my friends were playing. I fell in love with the sport. My younger sister Emmie [a freshman] also plays.
How many WPIAL gold medals do you have? Three. I was moved up to the varsity for the playoffs in my freshman year [and didn’t play] but received a gold medal. I started the last two years and won two more gold medals. I have them displayed in my bedroom.
Did you realize that you could win one more gold medal than Maddie? I’m not one to brag, but I will probably mention it to Maddie if we are fortunate enough to win another WPIAL title. Playing with her as a sophomore in the WPIAL title match was better than any medal I could win.
Is this year’s team the best one you’ve played on? I think so. This team is incredible. We’ve performed well against some of the best competition in the WPIAL. We have 10 seniors that work so well together. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. Our goals are to win another WPIAL title and win a state title.
How good is your sister Emmie? She is an awesome little player. She’s starting for our junior varsity team. I’m excited to have her continue the family tradition of playing for Bishop Canevin.
Do you want to play in college? I’m not sure whether I will play in college. I’m considering my options.
What’s your favorite subject in school? Math. I find it fun. My accounting class just started a school café. There are six of us. We are learning about how to run a business, figuring out supplies and the equipment we need. We’re starting out small by offering smoothies.
— By Ken Wunderley
First Published: October 13, 2021, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: October 13, 2021, 9:31 a.m.
