The Whitehall volleyball team continued its upward trajectory under the guidance of head coach George Cowitch, and will now look to continue that ascendance in 2017.

However, they’ll have to do it under the leadership of a new head coach since Cowitch submitted his resignation. He will still coach the boys team, but he said that with two young children and a wife who’s in danger of becoming a volleyball widow, now just wasn’t a good time to wear both hats.

“It was a tough decision,” said Cowitch. “It’s just not the right time to be the head coach of both programs.”

Cowitch is confident the program can move forward under the next person who takes over the helm. They have a strong corps of returning players led by Kristin Spengler, who was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference first team all-star. The setter/outside hitter will be back for her senior campaign and should head a strong cast, including Alix Buskirk, Alyson Peters, Caitlin Kier, Amelia Ballard, Olivia Ballard, Chloe Levan and Savannah Schmidt, each of whom gained varsity experience last season.

Also returning are Taylor Levan, Analisa Sage and Chyanne Hetrzog, who will provide depth for a rising team.

However, they will lose senior Meriam Deeb who gave them strong play at the net this season.

The Zephyrs finished the season 11-11 and made the district playoffs for the second year in a row. They were eventually ousted by Parkland, but not before winning their opening round game against Pocono Mountain East.

The season was highlighted by a pivotal win against Nazareth heading into the final stretch of division games. The Zephyrs needed one more win to clinch a playoff spot. They were facing three teams from the Skyline Division who had previously beaten them so it was going to take a strong effort. They responded with a sweep of the Blue Eagles, catapulting them into the playoffs.

Cowitch said that this year turned out better than some would have predicted.

“I think overall, when it was all said and done, that the girls did more than they were expected to,” he said.

He said that there were some matches they should have won, and they’ll learn from those experiences.

With such a veteran crew coming back, Cowitch said the he believes they’ll be able to assert themselves, and not just among the middle tier teams of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, but at the top as well.

Whoever becomes the next head coach will inherit a team that will be poised to make some strides in the league. He said that their offseason program will continue with many of the players participating in club volleyball. It’s that type of commitment that will propel the program forward.

“They’re definitely dedicated,” said Cowitch. “They want to be good.”