NA aims for sixth championship
Tri-State Sports & News Service
The North Allegheny boys volleyball team will make a record 16th appearance in the PIAA Class 3A final Saturday at Penn State’s Recreation Hall at 1 p.m. Peabody, a school that closed in 2011, ranks second with 14 title match appearances.
North Allegheny has five PIAA titles and placed second in 10 other appearances. The Tigers appeared in last year’s title match, but lost 3-1 to Central York.
“It’s such a tough climb [to get to the PIAA finals], even when you got there before,” North Allegheny coach Dan Schall said. “You have to start from the bottom every year. It’s a really, really tough climb to the top.”
The Tigers will face either District 3 champion Landisville Hempfield or District 11 champion Emmaus in Saturday’s title game. The match could not be played Tuesday because Hempfield was holding its graduation ceremony.
“We faced both teams at the Central York Tournament in April,” Schall said. “We beat Emmaus twice and lost to Hempfield twice. We are looking forward to the trip back to State College.”
North Allegheny earned its title berth with a hardfought 3-2 victory over Central York, the District 3 runner-up and defending PIAA champion, in Tuesday’s semifinals. The Tigers were led by Canyon Tuman (18 kills), Jason Stiefvater (15 kills), Jake Barber (11 kills), A.J. Schmidt (11 digs), Trevor Treser (10 digs) and Alex Zubrow (5 blocks).
Ambridge and Derry
WPIAL finalists Ambridge and Derry saw their season come to an end in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals, which were held June 2.The Bridgers were swept 30 by District 3 runner-up Manheim Central, while Derry dropped a 3-1 decision to District 10 champion Cambridge Springs.
“This was our ninth year in the WPIAL finals out of the last 11 years and won our eighth title,” Ambridge coach Glenn Freed said. “The team works so hard every year to get to have these awesome opportunities.
Ambridge loses four of its top five players to graduation, and all four were recognized on the WPIAL Class 2A All-Star Team. Middle hitter Devin Dishong was voted to the first team. Setter Daniel Elliott and outside hitter Logan Sweigart were second-team picks. Libero Eric Lundquist was a thirdteam pick.
“While losing four starting seniors, next year will be a rebuilding year, however, practically every year is a rebuilding year,” Freed said. “We always have underclassmen who push everyone on the team, including the senior starters. The offseason will be important for the team to work together.”
The Bridgers do have eight players returning who saw playing time during the playoffs. Their top returnee is outside hitter/opposite Liam Buck, who was recognized on the WPIAL All-Star Team for the second time.
Derry will most likely be the WPIAL favorite heading into next season, as six of its top ten players are back. The Trojans do lose a pair of WPIAL All-Stars, both middle hitters. Jeff Perratone was a first-team pick, while Ethan Sellong was a thirdteam pick.
“We had a really good season,” Derry coach Shawn Spencer said. “Knowing what we had coming back, and to lose our setter [Jake Griffin] to an injury late in the season, I was surprised that we were able to maintain a high level of play and overcome adversity.”
The Trojans have four WPIAL All-Stars returning. Outside hitter John Kerr was voted to the first team, while outside hitter Dom DeLuca was a second-team pick. Setter Nathaniel Marinchek and opposite Jason Geary, both third-team picks, are also back.
“We have some pretty good talent coming back,” Spencer said. “So we’re pretty excited and hoping to make another run next year. We must put in the time and effort during the off-season to be ready.”
Bethel Park
Bethel Park coach Zach Smith was impressed with the Black Hawks fine performance this season. The Black Hawks advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A title match before losing to North Allegheny, then dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to District 3 runner-up Cumberland Valley in the first round of the PIAA Tournament.
“We accomplished more than thought we would for as young we were,” Smith said. “Emotionally, we were a very strong team. We played our best volleyball at the end of year. The season didn’t end as we had hoped, but I’m happy with our overall progress.”
Bethel Park has six of its top eight players back next season. The Black Hawks do lose three key starters, including senior outside hitter Dylan Schanck, who was a first-team WPIAL AllStar.
“We’re losing some key players and will have some holes to fill, but we have a strong group of kids coming back,” Smith said. “We need some younger kids to step in and fill the holes.”
Bethel Park has three WPIAL All-Stars returning. Outside hitter Max Cooley was a first-team pick. Libero Anthony Boff and middle hitter Mason Bussard were third-team picks.