Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse coach Mike Scerbo welcomed five key starters back this season.

“We will be very young this year with only two seniors,” said Scerbo, the Panthers second-year coach and the academy’s athletic director. “We will have freshmen playing crucial roles on our team, but if we can gain positive experience in the first half of the season, we will be a contender for a playoff berth.”

Junior Nalani Brayley started almost all of the team’s games last year at the attack position.

“She will play a big role in leading our offense,” Scerbo said.

Brayley is joined on offense by junior midfielders Emma Eannarino and Grace Jardini, both third-year starters.

Olivia Stefanik, another a junior who played in the midfield area last season, is taking on a new role in 2026.

“Emma and Grace are first-team all-section players who will carry the load for us as we help the freshmen gain experience,” Scerbo said. “Olivia is moving to defense to replace Brooke Bussatto, who we lost to graduation.”

Another returning player for the Panthers is goalkeeper Sofia DiCicco, a third-year starter in the net. And, yes, she is a junior.

“She was all-section last year as a sophomore,” Scerbo said.

Among the players who flanked DiCicco on defense last season is Mackenzie Dice, who returns for her senior season. The other senior on the team is attacker Marin Edmunds.

Also looking to make their presence felt are juniors Bella Menzock at attack and Victoria Sgard on defense.

The sophomore class is represented by Amelia Hayden (MF), Harper Cross (MF), Landon Rickel (A), Renae Phillip-Knight (D) and Saniya Alford (D).

Three of the top freshman prospects on the squad are Olivia Olson, Charlotte Morton and Jane Borstelmann.

“Olivia, Charlotte and Jane have shown that they can have an impact immediately,” Scerbo said. “I expect all three to start and contribute in a big way.”

Speaking of starters, have the Panthers designated a set early season starting lineup?

“Not yet,” Scerbo said. “Many balls are up in the air right now.”

Other freshmen include Camilla D’Antonio (A), Caralena Quisenberry (A), Everly Rockinson (MF), Athena Ameredes (D), Cecily Park (A), Nina Rhodehammel (MF), Adriana Oliveros-Hartman (MF) and Gulia DiCicco (GK).

There are 43 girls lacrosse teams in the WPIAL this season, including 22 in Class 2A.

Sewickley is a member of Section 2-2A along with Ambridge, Aquinas Academy, Blackhawk, Chartiers Valley, Freeport, Knoch, Mars, North Catholic, Quaker Valley and South Fayette.

The Panthers are scheduled to host South Fayette at 4:30 p.m. April 1 at Nichols Field.