Hallahan’s Whalen: One of the best volleyball setters in state


There’s no telling how many volleyball matches Hallahan High School will win this fall.

Win or lose, however, this much seems certain: Shannon Whalen will have given her all.

The 5-foot-5 Hallahan senior and team captain is, according to coach Matt Gendaszek, one of the best setters in the state of Pennsylvania. That’s rather high praise, coming from someone who has coached hundreds of athletes at the club and high school level, but Gendaszek offers no caveat for his claim.

“She has excellent hands and has great placement,” said Gendaszek. “She’s one of the quickest kids you’ll ever see on a court.”

Whalen appreciates the sentiments. In typical form, however, she feels a bit uncomfortable fielding such plaudits.

“It’s great when someone thinks you are a really good player, but I just work really hard to be the best player I can be,” said Whalen, a product of St. Mary of the Assumption grade school in Manayunk. “I’m very competitive and I love the sport, so it’s kind of easy for me to spend so much time trying to get better.”

Now that she is a senior captain, Whalen has taken on the role of team spokesman. Although defensive specialist Luisa Travaline, outside hitter Christina Spinks, and middle hitter Kieran Kelly are also important seniors, Hallahan’s success relies on Whalen.

Although she admits that pressure exists, she doesn’t mind. In fact, she says, there might be more pressure off the court than on.

“Myself and the seniors, it’s our responsibility to keep the girls in line,” she said. “We haven’t had any behavior problems or things like that. I’m talking more about attitude.

“Last year, we didn’t have the type of team-first attitude we should have [had]. Even though we did pretty well [Hallahan made the playoffs and lost to Archbishop Carroll in the first round], it wasn’t always the way it should have been.”

This year, she says, any “me-first” approach will be dealt with immediately.

“There’s no room for stuff like that,” said Whalen. “If someone replaces you, come out and root for her. If you’re not having a good match and someone comes in, accept that you are not playing well and don’t dwell on it.”

Gendaszek said the fact that Whalen plays the game “the right way” not only makes her job easier, it pushes her teammates to reach lofty heights. According to Gendaszek, Whalen’s position as setter is akin to a quarterback on a football team or a point guard on a basketball team.

“When the best player on the team is out there sharing the ball the way she does as a setter, it’s a clear message that everyone has to get involved and participate no matter who they are or what their responsibilities are,” said Gendaszek. “The girls see her hustle and they think, ‘If she does that, then I better do that, too.’”

Also a varsity softball athlete who plays centerfield, Whalen is not sure where she will attend college, though she is leaning toward Philadelphia University, a stone’s throw from her house. She has already had contact with the Philly U volleyball coach, and her long-range plans of becoming involved with business and fashion design happen to coincide with much of Philadelphia University’s curricula.

Should she receive a scholarship, Whalen said it would make all her hard work that much more worth it. If not, she said she will have no regrets.

“I’ve enjoyed the experience of meeting people and getting to know them through sports,” she said. “That’s one of the greatest parts of Hallahan. Since it’s in Center City, you get to meet so many people from different backgrounds and different neighborhoods.”

As of Monday, Sept. 19, Hallahan was 1-1, defeating Little Flower and losing to Archbishop Prendergast. Though the latter result was disappointing, Whalen saw a silver lining.

“I was encouraged because we lost as a team,” she said. “It’s always great to win, but I’m not sure it’s better to win as a bunch of individuals than to lose as a team.”
Whalen chuckled.

“The best thing,” she said, “is to win as a team.”


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