North Allegheny collides with Central Dauphin again

All coaches stress the importance of not looking ahead.

That strategy has not worked for Central Dauphin boys volleyball coach Josh Brenneman this season.

“My kids have been talking about a possible rematch with North Allegheny since our ride home from Penn State after last year’s title match,” Brenneman said. “Making it back to the finals and winning this time has been their goal since the season began.”

The rematch will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Penn State’s Recreation Hall, as three- time defending champion North Allegheny plays Central Dauphin in the PIAA Class 3A final.

“I’m not surprised that Central Dauphin is back in the title match,” North Allegheny coach Dan Schall said. “Just look at their roster and most of the starters from last year’s team are back.”

Central Dauphin has a senior-dominated squad.

“Last year, we had five seniors,” said Brenneman, now in his 10th season. “This year, 13 of our 16 players are seniors. Most of them have been starting three or four years. This is the most experienced team I’ve had since 2017.”

Brenneman remembers that year well.

“We faced North Allegheny in the state semifinals in 2013 and 2017,” Brenneman said. “They knocked us out both years.”

Central Dauphin’s lineup features two players who were voted to the PVCA allstate team last season — Jacob Miller and Tyler McConnell. Miller is a 6-3 senior setter who has more than 1,000 career assists. McConnell is a 6-3 senior outside hitter who has committed to Mt. Olive University.

“Five of our top six players are back,” Brenneman said. “We only have one junior who cracks the starting lineup on a regular basis.”

Joining McConnell on the front line are 6-4 senior outside hitter Michael Zukowski, 6-5 junior middle hitter Connor Foxwell and 6-3 senior middle hitter Braden Berkobile.

“We have good height and are very physical,” Brenneman said. “North Allegheny also has good height and is very physical.”

North Allegheny’s lineup also includes a pair of PVCA all-stars — Caleb Schall and Cole Dorn. Schall is a 6-0 senior setter/right-side hitter. Dorn is a 6-3 senior outside hitter who missed a month of the season with a grade three ankle sprain.

Schall shares the setting duties with Jake Koch, a 5-11 senior.

“Cole is our top hitter, but we have a very balanced attack,” coach Schall said. “We have at least seven players who make a contribution on the front line.”

Other North Allegheny hitters who have made a contribution during the playoffs are senior middle hitter Jack Birch, junior middle hitter Varun Kaveli, junior opposite Nico Sfeir, senior outside hitter Titus LaMay and junior outside hitter Jax Wilhite.

“We faced North Allegheny twice in tournament play,” Brenneman said. “And we both had kids out of the lineup. I’m expecting everybody to be healthy for the title match.”

Central Dauphin beat North Allegheny, 25-23, in the semifinals of Central York’s Koller Classic. The two teams also split two sets in pool play at the State College tournament.

“Cole [Dorn] didn’t play in either tournament,” Schall said. “Central York didn’t have their top two outside hitters at the State College tournament.”

North Allegheny (17-1) earned its title berth by winning its fifth consecutive WPIAL title. The Tigers advanced to the finals with wins against Palmyra, 3-0 in the first round; Shaler, 3-0 in the quarterfinals; and Pennridge, 3-0 in the semifinals.

Central Dauphin (21-0) earned its berth by winning its second consecutive District 3 title. The Rams advanced to the finals with wins against Upper Dublin, 3-0 in the first round; Parkland, 3-1 in the quarterfinals; and Northampton, 3-0 in the semifinals.

Class 2A

A rematch will also take place in the Class 2A final, as defending champion Lower Dauphin will face Meadville again, in the first match at 11 a.m.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Lower Dauphin made it back to the finals,” Meadville coach Nick Bancroft said. “We’re looking forward to the rematch,”

Lower Dauphin earned its berth by winning its second consecutive title in District 3. The Falcons advanced to the finals with wins against Frankford, by forfeit in the opening round; Blue Ridge, 30 in the quarterfinals; and Christopher Dock, 3-1 in the semifinals.

Meadville qualified by winning its third consecutive District 10 title. The Bulldogs advanced to the finals with wins against Ambridge, 3-0 in the first round; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 3-0 in the quarterfinals; and Cochranton, 3-0 in the semifinals.