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Chloe Shirk
During the opening week of the 2025 volleyball season, ELCO senior Chloe Shirk made a statement that the Raiders are a team to watch. The 6-foot middle blocker powered her team to a 3-0 start, racking up 47 kills across three matches while missing just two serves in 42 attempts. Her efforts were recognized by LebCoSports.com voters, who selected her as the female LebCo Athlete of the Week for the Week of August 25th.
Her most memorable moment came in the season opener against rival Cedar Crest. With ELCO trailing 24-16 in the third set, Shirk stepped to the service line and calmly delivered 10 straight points, rallying the Raiders for a stunning 26-24 comeback win to complete the sweep. She also tallied 16 kills and 7 digs in the match. Shirk followed with 17 kills against Wyomissing and 14 more against Warwick, proving her consistency against quality competition. She now has 663 career kills, a milestone that reflects both her power at the net and steady contributions throughout her high school career.
Shirk admitted she was pleased with her opening-week performance but knows there’s still room to grow. “I’m pretty happy with it, but there is definitely still room to grow and improve,” she said. Her personal goal this season is to continue developing into a more well-rounded player, something she feels will not only elevate her game but also help push the Raiders forward.
That growth is something first-year head coach Wes Harpold has already seen. “What most impresses fans as they watch an ELCO volleyball game is Chloe’s thunderous spikes,” Harpold said. “What is often missed is how Chloe has worked so hard to become a complete player. She has developed into an excellent defensive passer, become a very impressive serve receiver, and plays the back row very well.”
He also pointed back to her composure in the Cedar Crest match. “Chloe opened ELCO’s volleyball season with 16 kills, but what was most impressive was her steady serving to close out the third set. With ELCO up two sets, Cedar Crest was only one point away from winning 24-16. Chloe kept their defense off balance with her serve, which resulted in her serving the last 10 points in a row for an impressive come-from-behind 26-24 victory to win the match.”
Off the court, Shirk stays active by working out at the gym or training at home, while also enjoying time with her friends. She also plays softball, showcasing her athletic versatility. Though an only child, she has shown through sports that she possesses strong teamwork skills that continue to shape both her game and her character.
Shirk is committed to continuing her career at Slippery Rock University, where she hopes to earn a spot on the PSAC All-Conference Team while pursuing a career as a private accountant or CPA.
She is ready to take on the challenges of the next level, with perseverance forged from the obstacles she’s faced during her athletic journey, including a severely sprained ankle at the end of last season—setbacks that have only fueled her determination.
“Our main goal this year is to improve from last year,” she said. “I think I’ve grown a lot in the past year in all my skills, and that’s helped me fit into our team’s success.”
With her skill, competitiveness, and steady leadership, Chloe Shirk has emerged as a driving force for the Raiders, who are now 4-1 to start the season. We congratulate her on being named LebCo Athlete of the Week and wish her and her teammates the best of luck as they continue to chase success in 2025.
Photo provided by ELCO Athletics
LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Bryce Yocum
Past Female LebCo Athletes of the Week
Leigha Kane (Week ending 8/24)
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