Surprise returnees helping Baldwin
Baldwin High School boys volleyball coach Eric Falcione received a pleasant surprise during the offseason.
“We had two players return to the team after taking a year off,” Falcione said.
Alex Suchy, a 6-foot-2 senior lefthanded setter, and Peter Wright, a 6-2 junior opposite, have rejoined the team.
“Alex was a member of our varsity as a sophomore and saw some playing time,” Falcione said. “He's also a golfer. He decided to focus on golf last spring. The resurgence of our girls team [which won a WPIAL Class AAA title] played a part in his decision to come back. He attended all the girls matches and missed playing volleyball.
”Peter was a member of our JV team who dressed for varsity matches during his freshman year, but didn't play,” Falcione said. “Peter played club soccer last year and had to travel for practices. This year, his practices are at South Park, so he's been able to do both and had no conflicts.”
The return of Suchy and Wright, along with a few returning starters, has transformed Baldwin into a serious section and WPIAL playoff contender.
“Alex has done a great job running our offense,” Falcione said. “Peter is one of our best passers. Having both in our starting lineup has made us a much better team.”
Baldwin, ranked No. 8 in the WPIAL in Class AAA, had a 6-1 record in Section 1 through Wednesday, second only to unbeaten Bethel Park (7-0).
The Highlanders are having a busy week. They defeated Moon Area, 3-0, in a makeup match Monday, but lost to Butler Area, 3-0, in a non-section match Tuesday. They were scheduled to return to section play Thursday against Canon-McMillan. The Highlanders will play in Saturday's Plum tournament.
“We went to five games with Upper St. Clair, Canon-McMillan and Peters Township during the first half,” said Falcione, referring to three section matches. “We were fortunate to come out on top in all three. Having the ability to win close matches is very important, especially when you get to the WPIAL playoffs.”
Baldwin's match with Bethel Park didn't go as well.
“We didn't block well and Bethel Park took advantage of that,” Falcione said. “We scored 16 points in each game. We need to play much better in the rematch [May 7 at Bethel Park].”
Falcione uses a nine-player rotation, which includes two players who were recognized on last year's All-Section 1 team. Patrick Stofanak, a 6-5 senior middle hitter, was voted to the first team. Alex Keiser, a 6-2 senior setter/outside hitter, was a second-team selection.
Also in Baldwin's starting rotation are 5-11 senior libero Antonio Parente, 6-0 senior outside hitter Ethan McClure, 6-0 senior middle hitter Mike Franklin, 5-5 sophomore defensive specialist Luke Scherz and 5-8 senior defensive specialist Evan Isaacs.
“Antonio played on the outside last year,” Falcione said. “We moved him to libero because of his great defense.”
Falcione added Baldwin alumnus Chris Kelly to his coaching staff. Kelly was the boys head coach at Peters Township. He also is the head girls coach at Baldwin.
“Chris has come full circle,” Falcione said. “He was a standout player [at Baldwin] in the early ’90s, was an assistant for the boys and girls teams in the early 2000s, and is now back helping the boys this season.”