North Allegheny not worried about overconfidence
Tri-State Sports & News Service
The North Allegheny boys volleyball team has a perfect record in match play during the first five weeks of the season. The defending WPIAL champions enter week six with an 9-0 record, including an 8-0 mark in Class 3A Section 2. And the Tigers have recorded a 3-0 sweep in all nine matches.
“I’m not worried about the team getting complacent,” North Allegheny coach Dan Schall said. “We have quite a bit of competition in our practices. We are very deep. If a player is not developing, they will not continue in that role. That elevates the entire team. They are a very mature and humble group. Success doesn’t get to their head.”
North Allegheny is ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class 3A. Butler is No. 2. The Tigers swept the Golden Tornado in the first half. The rematch is Tuesday at Butler.
“Our section is very strong, but that’s nothing new,” Schall said. “Being in a strong section is one of the main reasons we’ve been so good over the years. We welcome the strong competition.”
Schall entered the 2018 season with one major concern: replacing both middle hitters. Juniors Jeremiah Zemet and Alex Zubrow have filled those vacancies, while first-year senior Sam Humes has provided depth.
“All three have been very efficient,” Schall said.
North Allegheny tied for third at the Koller Classic April 21 at Central York High School. The Tigers lost, 25-23, to eventual champion Northeastern in the semifinals.
“The Koller Classic is a good measuring stick,” Schall said. “All five teams in our pool were in the state rankings.”
Ambridge
Ambridge has been almost as dominant in Class 2A. The top-ranked Bridgers have a 7-1 overall record, with their only loss to Class 3A Seneca Valley. Ambridge entered Thursday’s match against Trinity with a 6-0 record in Section 1, and all six wins were 3-0 sweeps.
“The WPIAL picture is slowly coming together,” Ambridge coach Glenn Freed said. “With half of the season concluded, teams are starting to show what they can do. While Ambridge is ranked No. 1, there are teams in the top 10 who have high-level skills, too.”
Ambridge has the toughest tournament schedule of any team in the WPIAL. The Bridgers opened the season at the North Allegheny tournament and beat the host Tigers in the title game, 25-23. Ambridge also competed in the Northeastern tournament and Koller Classic, two of the strongest tournaments in the state, and will make their final tournament appearance Saturday at the State College tournament.
“We pride ourselves as having the toughest tournament schedule of any team in the WPIAL,” Freed said. “The competition helps prepare us for the postseason.”
Ambridge has been led by three WPIAL all-stars. Senior middle hitter Devin Dishong and sophomore outside hitter Liam Buck were voted to the second team last year, while senior setter Daniel Elliott was a thirdteam pick.
Trinity
Trinity took a big step last year by earning its first WPIAL playoff berth. Coach Larry Myers started the program in 2008 and the Hillers joined the WPIAL the following year.
“Qualifying for the first time gives the kids the realization that they are capable of winning,” said Myers, now in his 11th year. “That’s especially rewarding in a section as tough as [Class 2A] Section 1. It furthers our belief that we can accomplish our goals.”
Trinity, ranked No. 7 in WPIAL Class 2A, entered Thursday’s match against top-ranked Ambridge with a 3-3 record in the section.
“Ambridge swept us in the first half, but we played them very close in two of the three sets,” Myers said. “We even had a 24-22 lead in the second set. We also took [No. 5] Montour to five sets.”
Myers has five seniors on this year’s squad, including senior opposite Joel Fowler, who was a second-team allSection 1 selection last year. Jason Rumbaugh, a senior middle hitter, gives the Hillers a good 1-2 punch.
“Joel and Jason are threeyear lettermen who are starting for the second year,” Myers said. “Both have made a significant contribution to our success.”
Tournament update
Bethel Park and Seneca Valley won tournament titles April 21.
• Bethel Park claimed the title at the 13-team Plum tournament. The Black Hawks beat Bishop Guilfoyle ( 25-20) in the quarterfinals, Butler (26-24) in the semifinals and Deer Lakes (25-12) in the title game.
• Seneca Valley won the 12-team Seneca Valley tournament. The host Raiders beat Saegertown (25-23) in the quarterfinals, Conneaut (25-19) in the semifinals and Cochranton (25-21) in the title game.
There is one tournament scheduled this weekend. Ambridge, Latrobe and Hempfield are entered in the 16-team State College tournament.