Strong contingent headed to PIAA volleyball finals
Tri-State Sports & News Service
In the past 10 years, the PIAA has held 31 girls volleyball championship tournaments. The WPIAL has had onlyfive teams advance to the finals during that stretch.
Greensburg Central Catholic made two of those appearances and claimed Class 1A titles in 2014 and 2016, while Bishop Canevin claimed a 1A title in 2015. The other two appearances were by North Allegheny and West Allegheny. The Tigers placed second in 2008, while the Indians were therunner-up in 2010.
The WPIAL’s fortunes have changed this year, as three teams earned title berths for the first time in PIAAhistory.
“It’s a testament to the hard work WPIAL teams have been putting in to prepare,” North Allegheny coach Heidi Miller said. “More teams are training at a higher level and for more than just during the season. They are training year round. We are also seeing a balance of skills in our teams. You can’t be one-dimensional and be successful in tough matches at theend of the season.”
North Allegheny, the WPIAL Class 4A champion, exhibited that during their come-from-behind (25-27, 2325, 25-19, 25-16, 20-18) victory against defending state champion Garnet Valley in Tuesday’s semifinal match at State College. The victory earned the Tigers their sixth PIAA title berth, and first since 2008.
“When we fell behind, 2-0, I reminded the girls of our match against Upper St. Clair during the regular season,” Miller said. “We rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win the last three sets. These girls never quit.”
North Allegheny (22-0) will face District 1 champion Bishop Shanahan (25-0) in a battle of unbeatens in Saturday’s title match at 5 p.m. at Richland High School in Johnstown. Bishop Shanahan earned its title berth with a 3-2 win against District 11 championParkland.
“This difference with this team is that the kids want it real bad,” Miller said. “They manage pressure real well. We have great balance and such good chemistry in practiceand in matches.”
Class 3A
Knoch (23-0), the WPIAL champ in Class 3A, earned its first PIAA title berth with a hard-fought, 25-19, 12-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9 win against Montour (20-3) in a semifinal matchat Seneca Valley.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that we’re in the state finals,” Knoch coach Diane Geist said. “We keep surpassing our goals. We have to set one more goal — to win our first PIAA title.”
Knoch will face defending state champion Allentown Central Catholic (22-3) in Saturday’s title match at 3 p.m. Allentown C.C., the District 11 champion, earned its seventh title berth with a 3-2 win against District 3 runnerupWest York.
“As the defending champion, Allentown Central has to be considered the favorite,” Geist said. “They obviously have the advantage of playing in a championship match before. This will be our first match of this magnitude, but the girls are looking forward to the challenge.”
Class 2A
Freeport, the WPIAL Class 2Achamp, also earned its first PIAA title berth. The Yellowjackets (20-4) avenged their loss to Beaver in the WPIAL championship match with Tuesday’s 25-22, 25-19, 1925, 25-18 semifinal victory at SenecaValley.
“We played two very good teams in the opening two rounds,” said Freeport coach Tom Phillips, referring to narrow victories against Bald Eagle Area and Corry. “That helped to prepare us for our rematchwith Beaver.”
Phillips and Beaver coach Charlene Horwatt had similarfeelings on their match.
“Coach Char [Horwatt] told me this should have been the title match,” Phillips said. “And I agreed. It was a packed house with a very high level ofvolleyball that was played.”
Freeport will face District 3 champion Delone Catholic (20-0) in the title match at 1 p.m. Saturday. Delone Catholic earned its fourth trip to the finals and first since 2013 with a 25-19, 25-14, 25-16 semifinal sweepof West Shamokin.
“My girls were really disappointed with their loss to Beaver in the WPIAL title match,” Phillips said. “After thatmatch, they set their sites on their other goal of winning aPIAA title.”
Class 1A
Bishop Canevin, the WPIAL Class 1A champion, saw its PIAA appearance end much quicker than expected. The Crusaders dropped a 2519, 23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-6 decision to Clarion, the District 9 third-place finisher, in the openinground.
“We didn’t go as far in the state tournament as we had hoped,”Bishop Canevin coach Kevin Walters said. “But I’m still pleased with what we achievedthis season.”
Bishop Canevin has made six consecutive appearances in the WPIAL finals and is favored to make a return trip nextyear.
“We have only one senior on our roster,” said Walters, referring to middle hitter Tamara Blue. “Everybody else is back next year. We also have a few freshmen who will step into the picture, which will give us more depth than wehad this year.”