North Allegheny sweeps, defends title
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — A word sums up North Allegheny’s performance in the PIAA Class 4A title game against Bishop Shanahan Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School: Balance.
“We were so balanced tonight,” said North Allegheny coach Heidi Miller after the Tigers claimed a second consecutive PIAA title.
“Everybody made a significant contribution.”
North Allegheny made its seventh appearance in a PIAA title match and claimed its fifth overall title with a 3-0 sweep of Bishop Shanahan, the District 1 champion.
Five North Allegheny players recorded four or more kills, five had two or more blocks, and four had 10 or more digs.
“We served them so tough that it kept them off balance the entire match,” Miller said. “And our defense was spectacular. We just didn’t let the ball hit the floor.”
North Allegheny’s players who recorded 10 or more digs were Allena Carmody (15), Paige Miller (13), Abby Miller (12) and Paige Morningstar (10).
“This title means more to me since it’s my senior year,” said senior Anna Sprys, who led the Tigers with 10 kills. “We worked so hard for this. To win a second title is great.”
North Allegheny opened the match with four points in a row, building a 10-2 lead before Bishop Shanahan knew what hit them. Six hitters had kills as the Tigers dominated in a 25-15 victory.
Bishop Shanahan played much better in the second set. Middle hitter Michaela Devlin and outside hitter Cara Shultz each recorded four kills. The Eagles had a 22-19 lead but two doubletouch calls led to their demise. The Tigers rallied to pull out a 25-23 decision.
“There were a lot of people who doubted that we could defend our title,” Paige Miller said. “I actually think this year’s team is better than last year’s team.”
The third set opened like the first. North Allegheny scored the first five points, but Bishop Shanahan battled back, taking a 12-11 lead. It was the only Eagles lead in the set. North Allegheny won again, 25-20.
The matchup was one of four title games. The other champions were Northern Cambria (Class 1A), Bald Eagle Area (Class 2A) and West York (Class 3A).
Northern Cambria, District 6 runner-up, beat District 5 champion Berlin Brothersvalley, 25-13, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22. Bald Eagle Area, District 6 champs, swept District 2 champ Holy Redeemer, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, to win its first title. West York, District 3 champs, swept District 10 champ Warren, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20, for its first title.