All-state honors pour in for Shaler spring athletes

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, July 20, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Adam Hoffman was floating in the pool in South Carolina when he found out that his efforts with the Shaler boys volleyball team had earned him all-state honors. Hoffman was one of many Titan athletes across all spring sports who drew recognition in the postseason.

Hoffman was named an honorable mention to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A team as an opposite-side hitter. Teammate Aiden Smith was picked for the second team.

“I was surprised,” Hoffman said. “I was happy when I got it.”

Shaler’s volleyball team won its third consecutive WPIAL title this spring and reached the state semifinals.

Hoffman said he started with organized volleyball in fifth grade, but he has been playing the sport for as long as he could walk. He stuck with the game because he enjoyed the environment.

“I liked the people and making new friends,” he said.

The Titans’ baseball team, which won the WPIAL Class 5A title and lost in the PIAA final, had two players selected to the first-team all-state. Pitcher Colby Weber and catcher Joe Rispoli earned the top honors.

The Titans’ softball team, which won the WPIAL Class 5A crown, had three players named to the all-state team. Bria Bosilejevac made first team as a pitcher and Alyssa Schaffold earn those honors at catcher.

Jayla Antomachi was also picked to the second team for softball. Antomachi also qualified for the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in track and field. Antomaci finished in ninth place in the javelin with a throw of 133 feet, 11 inches at nationals.

Shaler’s spring sports excellence is something that all the athletes expect to sustain. The Titans will be seeking a fourth consecutive WPIAL volleyball crown next spring.

“It was a cool experience,” Hoffman said. “We were following up behind the state winners. It was surreal winning that and getting a chance to go back.”

Track team at nationals

The Titans had several middle school and high school athletes hit national qualifying standards in different events.

Gianna Alcalde qualified in the 100-meter middle school hurdles for the New Balance competition. Bella Filo, another middle school athlete, qualified in the 100-meter dash and long jump.

Lily Trgovic also competed at New Balance in the 100 dash. A 400 relay team made up of Lucy McClean, Hannah Sahr, Octavia Dixon and Trgovic, competed in the Adidas Track National Championship in June.

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