Shaler coach credits defense in four-set win against Norwin
Logan Peterson recorded 18 kills and Dante Palombo added 11 kills and three blocks to lead Shaler, the No. 4 seed in WPIAL Class 3A, to a 3-1 win over No. 5-seeded Norwin (16-3) in a quarterfinal match Thursday at Hempfield High School.
The 25-20, 25-27, 25-22, 25-21 victory earned the Titans (12-4) a return trip to the semifinals Monday.
“A strong defensive performance was the key to our win,” Shaler coach Paul Stadelman said. “We recorded 12 blocks and 84 digs as a team. Our serve-receive and passing were on point, which allowed our offense to flow well. Our blocking slowed down a good hitting team.”
Other Class 3A
Seneca Valley 3, Canon -McMillan 0: The top-seeded Raiders improved to 16-1 and advanced to the semifinals with a 25-13, 25-17, 25-16 sweep of the visiting Big Macs (14-4). Aiden Uher recorded 43 assists for the Raiders.
North Allegheny 3, Upper St. Clair 0: The No. 2-seeded Tigers (12-1) earned their 13th semifinal berth in 14 years with a 25-13, 25-16, 25-12 sweep of the visiting Panthers (14-5). Cole Dorn had 14 kills for the Tigers. Penn-Trafford 3, Hempfield
The No. 6-seeded Warriors (12-5) pulled an upset on the road, 3-2, over the No. 3 Spartans (14-2), avenging two regular-season losses.
Class 2A
Ambridge 3, Gateway 2: The No. 5-seeded Bridgers (96) earned a 16th consecutive trip to the semifinals with a 19-25, 25-17, 22-25, 26-24, 15-9 come-from-behind win over the No. 4 Gators (11-3). Austin Merlina had 17 kills for the Bridgers, while Trent McKnight had 12 kills and 5 blocks.
North Catholic 3, Derry 1: Andrew Ubinger recorded 19 kills and four aces as the No. 2 Trojans (12-4) earned a return trip to the semifinals with a 25-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-12 win over the visiting Trojans (89).
Montour 3, Mars 1: The Spartans (10-5) advanced to the semifinals for the third time in four years with a 25-6, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21 win over the Planets (2-16).
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 3, Thomas Jefferson 0: The top-seeded Chargers (171) advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2014 with a 25-9, 25-17, 25-21 sweep of the visiting Jaguars (9-8).