​MONROEVILLE - Gateway girls volleyball coach Erica Hill wants to keep an eye on the future. With six seniors on the roster and playing an inexperienced Penn Hills team in Section 1-5A squad Tuesday at the Henry J. Furrie Complex, Hill worked everyone into the rotation.

The Gators responded by sweeping the Indians 3-0, only suffering a minor blip in the second set when Penn Hills built a 5-0 lead before Gateway rallied to win the set.

"We have six seniors, most of them play so we have to prepare for when they are gone next year," Hill said. "We have such good depth on the bench to be able to throw everyone in, it works out."

Penn Hills (0-7, 0-5) had its best run with KJ McGee at the service line in the second set. However, the Indians weren't able to build off their hot start. Gateway wore Penn Hills down, eventually surging head 17-16.

“On the positive side, even if we’re up 5-0 and we’re down 18-16 it feels good to know we are fighting,” McGee said. “It feels good to want to fight and want to be that close.”

Gateway displayed plenty of firepower between senior hitters Trinti Stevenson and Kalee Kellman. The Gators were able to take advantage of Penn Hills' difficulties with serve-receive.

Penn Hills focused on being defensive and scrappy and didn't get a lot of traditional swings at the net. The Gators had to be prepared for how to defend the soft shots.

"We like to throw junk in it at practice," Hill said. "I like to throw free balls in at practice and practice it the best we can. Sometimes, it is hard to practice. We want to be ready at every ball at any time."

Penn Hills volunteer coach Will Piccolino said it will take some time for everyone to get used to his style. He stepped in as coach of the Indians on Aug. 29.

Piccolino, who coaches Penn Hills' boys team as well, doesn't mind working to get everyone on the same page.

"It's been chaotic as you may expect," Piccolino said. "That's the fun of it."

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.