The Queens of the ‘Burgh girls volleyball tournament took place July 24-25 at All-American Field House in Monroeville. Designed for incoming high school juniors and seniors, the tournament celebrated its fourth birthday in style.

It was near standing-room-only in the volleyball court area at the Monroeville sports facility.

“I felt this was our largest crowd ever with all the bleachers and the seating along Court 1 and on top being taken,” said John Skarupa, the tournament’s founder. “It was even difficult for us to walk around to start or stop the cameras, which was a good problem to have.”

And the championship match couldn’t have been any closer.

The Rams edged Princess Colussy, 26-24, in the playoff bracket finals.

“This was the first time in three years that we had the Princess team make it out of the first round,” Skarupa, who coaches the Avonworth girls volleyball team. “This year, both Princess teams made the semifinals, and one was in the finals.

“But the Rams were just defensively solid. That team started to click at the right time. They had the most digs and blocks out of any of the eight teams and could wear teams down.”

The Rams were coached by Bria Stepp in her second year at the tournament. Stepp is a Seneca Valley graduate and a 5-foot-8 junior setter at West Chester.

“I’m incredibly proud of my team for winning the championship. It speaks to the level of their talent to be able to win the championship having never played together as a team before,” Stepp said. “One of our biggest challenges early in the tournament was digging ourselves out of a point deficit. In the championship, we found ourselves in the same situation when we were down 10-3, but the girls stayed mentally strong and kept competing. We focused on controlling our side and playing smart volleyball.

“I believe what made the championship win so rewarding was seeing the girls overcome the same challenge that had hurt us earlier in the day and persevere when it mattered most.”

The Rams team consisted of Freeport outside hitters Jayme Radvan and Evie Tola, Indiana middle hitter Allison Lichtenfels, Waynesburg defensive specialist Lelia McCollum, Chartiers Valley 6-2 outside hitter Payton Friburger, North Catholic 6-foot middle hitter Kaylee Garr, Latrobe defensive specialist Abbie Strauser and setters Sydney Klaich from North Allegheny and Ava Ruane from Penn-Trafford.

All are seniors except Radvan, Tola, Friburger and Garr, who will be juniors in 2026-27.

“Honestly, I had the best group of athletes I could have asked for,” Stepp said. “I had an incredible roster. They all brought energy, passion and a love for the game, which is huge in volleyball.

“As a returning coach this year, I felt much more comfortable and confident. I had a better understanding of the draft process and what it takes to roster a successful team and create a positive team culture in such a short amount of time.”

Two girls who were familiar with Stepp’s coaching style were Garr and Klaich, who played for the West Chester netter in 2025 as Princess team members.

“It was especially exciting to draft two players who were on my team last year and see how much they had grown since I last saw them play,” Stepp said. “Watching the team come together and earn the big win made this year even more special.”

The Rams nudged by Princess Penny, 25-23, in the tournament’s semifinal round while Princess Colussy defeated the Thunder by the same score in advancing to the championship match.

“The Rams benefited from some clutch Queens points, which is a gamble card that we give each coach the ability to use before their 18th point,” Skarupa said. “It makes the next point worth two points instead of one, but the gamble could go against you if you don’t win it.

“The Rams won both Queens points in the semifinals, which was a four-point swing and was very helpful when that match ended 25-23.”

Two members of the reigning WPIAL Class A girls volleyball championship team at Eden Christian Academy — juniors Emily Muir and Edelyn Mathieu — competed for the Hawks at the two-day competition.

Muir is a 6-foot outside hitter and two-time tournament participant while Mathieu is a 5-10 right-side hitter who experienced the event for the first time.

“I love playing in this tournament because I get to meet and play with people from the Pittsburgh area that I haven’t known or played with before,” said Muir, an excellent student who has a 4.24 GPA. “I think it is a great event that is very unique and brings the volleyball community together.

“Even though we didn’t do as well as we all wanted to, I think we played very well together. I had a lot of fun playing in the games.”

As did Mathieu, her Eden teammate.

“The tournament was so much fun,” Mathieu said. “It was my first time playing in it, and I definitely wish I would have done it last year. I hope to participate again next year.

“My favorite part was playing with the girls from different schools. Two girls on my team were from Avonworth, which is a team we scrimmage during the season. Playing with them instead of against them was lots of fun. I think as a team we played very well. For the first time all playing together, it went well.”

Mathieu, another outstanding performer in the classroom who has a 4.23 GPA, also competes on the Eden girls track team in the 100-meter dash and long jump.

“It was my first year doing it (this spring), and it was a great experience,” she said.

A total of 75 athletes registered for this year’s tournament, including five from North Allegheny, North Catholic and Chartiers Valley.

Almost 40 schools were represented, including North Allegheny, North Catholic, Chartiers Valley, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Shenango, Oakland Catholic, Penn-Trafford, Shaler, Freeport, Mars, Pine-Richland, Greensburg Salem, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Hampton, Eden Christian Academy, Avonworth, Upper St. Clair and Waynesburg.

The following all had one athlete participate: Serra Catholic, Woodland Hills, Baldwin, Thomas Jefferson, North Hills, South Fayette, Armstrong, Peters Township, South Park, Fox Chapel, Hopewell, Butler, Burrell, Plum, Norwin, Indiana, Latrobe, Franklin Regional and Riverside.

And more than two dozen college programs were on hand for recruiting purposes.

“We had 25 college programs in attendance plus a dozen more who couldn’t make it but requested film,” Skarupa said. “The event continues to get better and better. I think this year especially, the teams were the most even. All playoff matches except one were two-point games with many going into extra points.

“We also had our largest sponsor turnout with Premier Wealth Partners, Remix Market of Pittsburgh, Jim Shorkey Auto Group and Junkluggers being our main event/combine sponsors. And with Moe’s and Colussy Chevrolet as our team sponsors, we were able to enhance the experience.”

On July 24, athletes underwent testing for approach and block jumps, participated in positional drills and engaged in 6-on-6 competition. Players were selected onto teams during a draft party held immediately after the combine.

The next day, the teams participated in pool play then entered a playoff bracket to determine final standings. All matches were filmed and made available to the participants.

This tournament provides an opportunity for scholastic volleyball players in the Pittsburgh area to showcase their skills, receive professional coaching and compete at a high level. It emphasizes skill development, fundamentals and mental game preparation.

Coaches are current college players, and the environment is designed to be fun, competitive and growth-oriented, helping athletes improve while enjoying the sport.

Along with Stepp, the coaches were IUP’s Delaney Concannon (Panthers) from Thomas Jefferson, IUP’s Kyra Schmidt (Hawks) and Dickinson’s Avery Butcher (Princess Penny) from North Allegheny, IUP’s Brooke Kessler (Thunder) from Bethel Park, Muskingum’s Addy Rusek (Muskies) from Burrell, Frostburg’s Bailey Rafferty (Princess Colussy) from Waynesburg and Lynn University’s Laney Wilson (Knights) from Albert Gallatin.

Concannon, Kessler and Schmidt are teammates at IUP.

“This is my first year being involved in the Queens tournament,” Concannon said. “The progression Queens has made over the past couple of years is incredible. It is so nice to see girls volleyball growing and how many love this sport.”

Stepp, a Cranberry Township resident, already is developing plans to try for a repeat championship next summer.

“As a current college player, it was awesome to experience the game from a different perspective,” she said. “I’m used to being on the court competing, so having the opportunity to guide and mentor young athletes from the sidelines was rewarding. I’d like to thank founder, John Skarupa, event director, Amanda Fetter, and the entire staff for all the work they put into making the event such a success and for creating an opportunity that continues to elevate girls’ volleyball in Western Pennsylvania.

“I’m grateful to have been a part of it, and hopefully I’ll be back next year to defend the title and go for a two-peat.”