WPIAL faces an uphill battle
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Only four titles in 20 years.
That’s what WPIAL teams faced as they entered the PIAA boys volleyball tournament, which began Tuesday.
The PIAA has held 30 tournaments from 1997-2016, including two classes the past 10 years, and WPIAL teams have won only four titles and placed second 14 times. That’s 18 title appearances out of a possible 60.
“It’s become very tough to win a PIAA title,” North Allegheny coach Dan Schall said. “The rest of the state has caught up to the WPIAL and in some cases have passed us up.”
District 3 has become the most dominant of the PIAA’s 12 districts. In the past 20 years, District 3 teams have won 21 of a possible 30 titles. District 3 has also swept both titles four times in the past 10 years.
A good example of District 3’s dominance was last year’s sweep. Landisville Hempfield claimed its eighth Class 3A title in 20 years, while Northeastern won its fifth Class 2A title in seven years.
“The teams in District 3 play a lot more volleyball than we do,” Beaver County Christian coach Christen Adels said. “With such a small school, many of our kids play two or three sports. Many of the schools in District 3 have kids who play volleyball year round. We don’t have that luxury.”
Take a look at this year’s PVCA state rankings and the top team in each class is from District 3. Northeastern is a strong favorite to claim its fifth consecutive title in Class 2A, while Central York is the favoritein Class 3A.
“The teams from the east, especially District 3, have become as good if not better than we are,” said Our Lady of the Sacred Heart coach Mike McDonald, who also serves as chairman of the WPIAL volleyball committee. “I don’t think it’s a reflection on the WPIAL as much as it’s a reflection on the teams that are winning the state title. The WPIAL has quality teams entered in the state tournament every year.”
North Allegheny is making its 18th PIAA appearance in 20 years. The Tigers have won two PIAA titles and placed second four times during that stretch.
“District 3 is really good,” Schall said. “Some of the best players in state and nation arefrom District 3 schools.”
North Allegheny, the WPIAL Class 3A champ 12 of the past 15 years, opened this year’s tournament with a narrow 3-2 win against District to the quarterfinals 3 fifth-place finisher with first-round victories. Landisville Hempfield, the Two-time WPIAL champion defendingstate champion. Beaver County Christian
“It was one heck of an posted a 3-0 sweep of opening night match,” said District 10 runner-up Cambridge Schall, referring to the narrow Springs in the opening win. “Hempfield has a round. The Eagles will quality team. It’s a big win for face District 3 runner-up us.” York Suburban in the quarterfinals.
North Allegheny will face WPIAL third-place finisher “We are in the toughest Bethel Park in Saturday’s quarter of the bracket,” quarterfinals. Bethel Park Adels said. “Cambridge earned its quarterfinal berth Springs was ranked No. 6 in with a 3-0 sweep of District 10 the state, York Suburban is champion Erie McDowell. No. 3, and we are No. 2. It’s a
“We haven’t played shame we meet in the quarterfinals.” Bethel Park this year, but we did get to see them in the Deer Lakes, the WPIAL [WPIAL] semifinals and consolation Class 2A runner-up, is making final,” Schall said. its seventh PIAA appearance “They have a very strong in nine years. The team with [outside hitter] Lancers posted a 3-0 sweep Mike Kapusta leading the in its opening-round match way.” against District 6 champion
Penn-Trafford, the Forest Hills. WPIAL Class 3A runner-up, Deer Lakes will face District made a quick exit from the 10 champion Cochranton 16-team bracket with a 3-1 in the quarterfinals. loss to Central Dauphin, the Cochranton advanced with a District 3 runner-up. 3-0 sweep of Derry, the
In Class 2A, two of the WPIAL’s third-place finisher. WPIAL’s three entries advanced