Content about Natalie Zivic

05.13.11

By JIM RUMBLE

It was a grueling week for the Avonworth softball team, but it was well worth it as the Lady ‘Lopes secured a spot for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs.

The 'Lopes started off by hosting Brentwood last Thursday. After surrendering a lead late, the girls were able to come back in the final inning to win 9-8.

"We had a couple of mental mistakes but the good thing, though, is that we were able to come back," said head coach Chris Knox.

04.22.11

Lady ’Lopes turn the tables on Brentwood

By JIM RUMBLE

It was an exciting week for the Avonworth softball team, as they secured two section wins to move into second place in AA Section 1 with a record of 5-1 overall and 3-0 in section play.

Without a doubt, the most exciting win came at previously unbeaten Brentwood last Friday as the 'Lopes battled back to win in extra innings 8-4.

"This was one of the best wins in our school's history," said coach Chris Knox afterwards.

04.15.11

Weather breaks for Lady ’Lopes

By JIM RUMBLE

After a week of game postponements, the Avonworth softball team finally resumed play when they hosted Carlynton in their first section game on Monday, April 11.

The Lady 'Lopes seemed to be unaffected by the time off, as they defeated the Cougars in five innings 14-1.

"It's good to get your first section game in," said coach Chris Knox after the game.

03.18.11

State run ends for Lady ’Lopes

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team saw their season come to an end last Friday with a 55-42 loss to Marion Center in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

After bouncing back from a huge deficit early in the game, the girls suppressed their chances at victory with poor shooting, especially in the second half.

"We made a nice comeback after the first quarter," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

Schulz added, "We shot the ball very poorly in the second half."

02.25.11

Avonworth girls ground Eagles

By JIM RUMBLE

Going into the first round WPIAL playoff game against Keystone Oaks this past Wednesday, Avonworth girls’ basketball head coach Bob Schulz expressed some apprehension about the team he would have to face.

"I'm quite concerned with this match-up” he said. “I think they're better than a 12 seed in the tournament."

Well all of that uneasiness must have dissipated as the game wore on, as the Lady ‘Lopes, seeded #5, dominated in their win against the Golden Eagles, 56-31.

02.18.11

Lady ’Lopes head for WPIAL playoffs

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team traveled to crosstown rival Northgate last Thursday, intending to take the section title outright with a win over the Flames. Although Northgate battled to remain within striking distance through the third quarter, the Lady ‘Lopes would not be denied, as they defeated the Flames 50-28.

The 'Lopes will begin the WPIAL playoffs with a first round game on Tuesday, Feb. 22. They will play the winner of the Keystone Oaks - New Brighton preliminary round game with the time and site yet to be determined.

02.11.11

Lady ’Lopes rebound with big win over ’Dogs

By JIM RUMBLE

For most people, their disappointment came last Sunday with a Steelers loss. But for the Avonworth girls’ basketball team, theirs came last Thursday when the 'Lopes were defeated at Sto-Rox 53-44.

After suffering their first section loss this season, the girls bounced back on senior night with a section win at home against Freedom this past Monday, 81-34, and clinched at least a tie for the section title.

The Lady ‘Lopes were scheduled to finish section play yesterday with a game at Northgate with the results not available at press time.

01.22.11

Lady ‘Lopes add Flames to win list

By JIM RUMBLE

While the Avonworth girls basketball team added three more wins to their season over the past week, the game that was of interest to most local fans was when they hosted the Northgate Flames on Monday, Jan. 17.

Led by Lauren Mayernik's 22 points, the Lady ‘Lopes cruised to an easy win over the Flames 59-22.

What was also noteworthy was the play of forward Natalie Zivic, who stepped up big with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.

01.07.11

Lady ’Lopes beat OLSH in overtime

By JIM RUMBLE

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." That quote may pertain to the Avonworth girls’ basketball team when they hosted section rival OLSH on Monday, Jan. 3.

The 'Lopes, who struggled offensively from the field throughout most of the game, worked hard through a fourth quarter deficit before hitting on an off-balance shot at the buzzer to get into overtime.

The Lady ‘Lopes were able to take over from there, defeating the Chargers 40-36.

"We had a tough game tonight, " said head coach Bob Schulz.

12.17.10

Lady ‘Lopes open with wins

By JIM RUMBLE

Although it may be too early to tell how good this team will be, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team is off to a great start. The Lady ‘Lopes won the Brentwood tournament last weekend before defeating Belle Vernon at home on Wednesday 52-25.

"We played well on defense tonight," said coach Bob Schulz after the Belle Vernon game.

Led by Lauren Mayernik's 21 points, the 'Lopes jumped right out of the gate, shooting 10 of 14 in the first quarter on their way to a huge lead.

"We did a great job of man-to-man defense and our offense was on fire," Schulz said.

07.16.10

Avonworth Softball Players Honored

Three Avonworth varsity softball players were selected All-Section by the coaches in Class A, Section 3.

Named were Juniors Marissa Milbert and Natalie Zivic and sophomore Ali Chambers.

Zivic also was selected by the sports editors at the Post Gazette for the North All-Star Team, from all school classifications. In the past season, Zivic hit five home runs and led the team with 20 runs batted in.

05.07.10

Lady ’Lopes suffer disappointing loss

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth softball team saw its three- game winning streak come to an end this past week with a disappointing 11-10 loss to Brentwood at home on Wednesday.

The same two teams were scheduled to play each other at Brentwood on Thursday, May 6, with the results not available at press time. The Lady ‘Lopes would need to win the rematch to secure third place in the section and qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

04.23.10

Lady ’Lopes fall to nemesis

In their first meeting since falling to Vincentian in the WPIAL championship game nearly a year ago, the Avonworth softball team had intentions of turning the tables when they played on the road this past Monday.

After leading through most of the game, the Lady ‘Lopes stumbled in the late innings and were defeated 7-4.

"Its kind of the same old situation against this team," said Avonworth coach Chris Knox after the game.

04.09.10

Avonworth girls open season with section win

By JIM RUMBLE

Since returning from their spring training event in Florida a week earlier, the Avonworth softball team overcame some injuriesand opened section play with a win at home this past Tuesday.

Behind a one-hitter pitched by Julianne Hirsch and an offense that was led by catcher Marissa Milbert's four RBIs, the Lady ‘Lopes put away OLSH in five innings, blanking the Chargers 12-0.

03.19.10

Lady ’Lopes take out WPIAL champ to advance in PIAA

By JIM RUMBLE

Heading into this past Tuesday's PIAA second round game, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team seemed to have their work cut out for themselves when they faced WPIAL class AA champion Jeannette at Hempfield High School.

After battling the Jayhawks for three quarters, and trailing by five points going into the final period, the 'Lopes put together a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter that sent them on their way to an impressive come-from-behind win, 62-51.

"It was a great team effort, especially in the fourth quarter," said head coach Bob Schulz after the game.

02.26.10

Lady ‘Lopes’ defense destroys Shamokin

By JIM RUMBLE

In their WPIAL first round game played this past Tuesday at Fox Chapel, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team relied on their tough play defensively to keep West Shamokin off balance and win easily, 62-30.

The Lady ‘Lopes forced the Wolves into a dreadful 10-of-44 shooting the ball while forcing 17 turnovers.

"We had the perfect defense for them,” said head coach Bob Schulz. “They're a very deliberate team and we wanted to press them into playing an up-tempo game." He then stated,"They didn't get a lot of good looks."

01.22.10

Avonworth girls beat Northgate 65-40

By JIM RUMBLE

Of the three victories that the Avonworth girls’ basketball team picked up last week, the game of most interest to local fans was this past Tuesday, when the Lady ‘Lopes hosted the Northgate Flames.

Led by Tara Gallupe, who was unstoppable inside, and a transition game that was overpowering at times, the ‘Lopes cruised past the Flames 65-40.

“What really helped us was our fast break tonight,” Avonworth coach Bob Schulz said. “We got the ball off the boards and moved real well.”

01.15.10

New defense saves Lady ‘Lopes

By JIM RUMBLE

In a battle between top ranked teams in AA and section foes, the Avonworth girls basketball team implemented a new defensive scheme to frustrate Sto Rox as the Lady ’Lopes outlasted the Vikings 37-35 on Monday.

The win put the ‘Lopes (10-0), in a tie atop Section 6AA with Aliquippa at 3-0 and a game ahead of the Vikings.

“The kids played phenomenal defense tonight,” said coach Bob Schulz. “We put in a new defense tonight - something totally different from anything we’ve ever done.”

05.08.09

Lady ’Lopes take second place

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ softball team secured second place in Section 3A to finish the regular season, and now await the pairings for the WPIAL playoffs.

The ‘Lopes, who began the season with a 2-5 record, abruptly changed direction, winning nine of their next 10 games to finish the regular season at 11-6.

Their most recent wins came over the past week as Julia Eck pitched a no-hitter, including 10 strike-outs, in a 10-0 win over Brentwood before the ‘Lopes defeated Sewickley Academy 14-0.