West Greene鈥檚 Meek named to PVCA All-State team
West Greene鈥檚 Kasie Meek would do whatever it took to help her volleyball team excel this past season.
The senior did enough to propel the Lady Pioneers to a second-place finish behind Frazier in Section 2-A and into the WPIAL playoffs.
Meek was honored for her performance recently by being named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-State Class A volleyball team.
The 5-foot-10 Meek was chosen as an outside hitter, but boosted her team in a variety of ways.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a position she can鈥檛 play,鈥� West Greene coach Aimee Gillispie said of Meek, who is the first Lady Pioneer to ever be named all-state. 鈥淜asie led the team in kills. She had a career-high of 33 in one game. Kasie鈥檚 able to read a defense. She鈥檚 a very versatile hitter.
鈥淪he has a wicked serve also, and her ability to pass in the back row really helps the team. Her defense is just as good as her offense.鈥�
Meek, who is a California, Pa. recruit, didn鈥檛 let an injury affect her performance.
鈥淪he played all this season with a left shoulder injury until she had to leave the playoff game (a loss to Serra Catholic),鈥� Gillispie said. 鈥淓ven then she was like 鈥楶ut me back in,鈥� but I told her no, you have to think of the bigger picture, your college career.
鈥淪he refused to sit out any games and I鈥檇 have to take a timeout some matches so she could get her shoulder rewrapped.鈥�
Meek made those around her better.
鈥淜asie is a team player. As much as she was a driving force this season, one of our top scorers, she was one to make sure other people got recognition before she did,鈥� Gillispie said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 always looking to improve.鈥�
Meek gave up-and-coming players a boost as well, according to Gillispie.
鈥淜asie takes time to help all the younger girls who aspire to be like her,鈥� Gillispie said. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l watch her and be amazed and ask her for pointers, what can they do better, and Kasie鈥檚 very vocal in helping them, and they usually apply what she tells them.鈥�
Gillispie lauded Meek for her leadership.
鈥淪he鈥檚 a leader in the way that she can rally a team,鈥� Gillispie said. 鈥淚t was a pretty good season for us and Kasie鈥檚 leadership was a big part of that. We came back from nine-point deficits this season and it was not only because of Kasie鈥檚 power and her ability but her positive attitude.
鈥淪he鈥檚 one of the most decorated players I鈥檝e had and even though she likes to give everyone else credit she鈥檚 deserved everything she鈥檚 gotten.鈥�