Bridgers one step from 2A trophy

Ambridge faces North Catholic

The Ambridge High School boys volleyball team opened the 2023 season with a 3-2 non-section win against Mars.

The two teams met again Tuesday night at Gateway High School with much more at stake, as the winner would earn a berth in the WPIAL Class 2A title match.

The winner was the same, but this time it took only three sets for Ambridge to defeat Mars — 25-23, 25-22, 25-21. The victory earns the Bridgers their 13th title berth since 2002.

Tyler McKnight and Sam Miller each had 15 kills for Ambridge, while Karson Merlina dished out 39 assists.

“It’s been two years since we’ve been in the finals,” Ambridge coach Glenn Freed said. “We’re looking forward to the rematch with North Catholic.”

Ambridge ( 13- 4), the No. 6 seed, will face North Catholic (15-4), a team they are very familiar with, in the title match Thursday at Peters Township High School, with the time to be determined.

North Catholic, the No. 4 seed, earned its second title berth in three years with a 25-18, 25-23, 3028 sweep of top seed Latrobe (11-5) in the nightcap at Gateway.

Ambridge and North Catholic split two Section 1 matches this season, both decided in five sets.

Class 3A

Top seed Shaler (15-1) earned its first WPIAL title berth with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 win against No. 4 seed Canon-McMillan (171) in the second of two semifinal matches at Fox Chapel.

Shaler was led by Logan Peterson ( 14 kills) and Dante Palombo (12 kills).

“The kids have worked very hard to get to this point,” Shaler coach Paul Stadelman said. “We’re looking forward to another match with North Allegheny.”

North Allegheny (11-3), the No. 2 seed, earned its 19th trip to the finals since 2000 with a 25-12, 25-19, 21-25, 25-14 win against No. 3 seed PennTrafford (16-2).

North Allegheny was led by Jax Wilhite (23 kills) and Nicolas Carioto (37 assists).

Shaler beat North Allegheny twice in Section 2 matches.