Seneca coach fulfilling promise

When Dan Follett was interviewed for the boys volleyball head coaching position at Seneca Valley High School three years ago, he made a few promises to athletic director Heather Lewis.

“I told her that we would be contending for section and WPIAL titles and qualify for the PIAA tournament by the third year [of his coaching tenure],” said Follett, who graduated from Seneca Valley in 2007. “She asked if those lofty expectations were realistic in only three years. My reply was: ‘Absolutely.’”

Follett has lived up to those lofty vows. He led Seneca Valley to a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth and opening round victory in the playoffs in 2013, his first season.

Last season, his second at the helm, Seneca Valley tied for second place in Class AAA Section 2 and earned another WPIAL playoff berth. The Raiders won again in the first round of the playoffs, then lost a five-set heartbreaker to Bethel Park in the quarterfinals.

“We entered this season with high expectations,” Follett said. “When I took over as coach, I had a group of talented sophomores. I built the team around them. They are now seniors and have three years of varsity experience.”

Seneca Valley began the 2015 season ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL Class AAA preseason rankings and have since held that position during the first month of play. The Raiders have a 7-1 record in Section 2 and trail only top-ranked Fox Chapel Area.

“Fox Chapel beat us in three games in the first half of section play, but the match was closer than the score indicates,” Follett said. “The first two games were very close, but Fox Chapel was the better team and was able to beat us in all three games.”

Seneca Valley’s top accomplishment of the season to date has been its two victories against seven-time defending WPIAL champion North Allegheny.

“That’s the first time in school history that we’ve beaten North Allegheny in both section matches,” Follett said. “Our goal is to make North Allegheny just another opponent. We respect North Allegheny, but no longer fear them.”

Seneca Valley beat Pine-Richland, 3-0, on Tuesday, then traveled to Shaler on Thursday. The Raiders beat both teams in the first half. Seneca Valley is hosting a 15-team tournament Saturday.

“We have 39 kids on the team and I even made cuts,” Follett said. “We have 19 on the varsity roster, which is made up of seniors, juniors, and two sophomores. We are very happy with the turnout.”

Follett’s varsity roster features four seniors who were recognized as second-team all-section last year — 6-foot-4 middle hitter Taylor Matthews, 6-2 opposite Tyler Herrmann, 6-0 outside hitter John Price and 5-9 libero Steve Jones.

“Taylor is performing at an insanely high level. We’ve designed our offense around him,” Follett said. “John is our most dynamic player. He is a five-tool player who can do it all. Steve is our best defensive player.”

Tyler Herrmann is joined by twin brother Austin, a 6-2 outside hitter.

Anthony Sprentz, a 5-9 senior, is Seneca Valley’s starting setter. Luke Pecora, a 5-9 junior, is the backup setter.

“Anthony suffered a separated shoulder prior to last season. This year, he’s been healthy,” Follett said. “Luke could be the starting setter on most of the teams in the

WPIAL.”

Sean Cavanaugh, a 6-2 senior, has moved from the outside to the middle to fill in for John Dolfi, a 6-5 junior.

“John broke a bone in his foot the opening weekend of the season at the North Allegheny tournament,” Follett said.

“We’re hoping to have him back for the playoffs. Sean has done a fine job filling in for him.”