North Allegheny rolls into final
It’s 45 and counting for the North Allegheny High School boys volleyball team.
The Tigers improved their season record to 22-0 with Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Bethel Park in the PIAA Class 3A semifinals at Penn Hills High School.
The win increases North Allegheny’s two-year winning streak to 45 matches. The Tigers’ previous loss was to Central York in the 2017 PIAA title match.
Ironically, North Allegheny’s next match is against Central York. The two squads will face off in the PIAA title match at 2 p.m. Saturday at Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena.
North Allegheny, the defending PIAA champion, will be making a record 17th appearance in the PIAA finals and going for its seventh title. Central York, a loser to North Allegheny in last year’s semifinals, is making its 13th title match appearance and shooting for its eighth title.
“It’s rare that we haven’t faced Central York this season,” North Allegheny coach Dan Schall said. “We usually face them either in our tournament or Central York’s Koller Classic. So it will be a fresh look for both teams.”
North Allegheny earned its PIAA berth by winning a third consecutive WPIAL title. The Tigers advanced to the finals with wins against Landisville Hempfield, 3-1, in the first round; Shaler, 3-0, in the quarterfinals; and Bethel Park, 3-1, in the semifinals.
Central York earned its PIAA berth by winning the District 3 title. The Panthers advanced to the title match with wins against Parkland, 1-0, in the first round; Pennsbury, 3-1, in the quarterfinals; and Northeastern, 3-2, in the semifinals.
Central York’s lineup features two PVCA all-stars. Senior Braden Richard, an outside/middle hitter, has been recognized twice, while junior setter Brock Anderson has been chosen once. Both are expected to be recognized on this year’s all-state team, which will be announced in a month or so.
“It’s so meaningful to get back to the finals,” Schall said. “It’s a very tough climb. Making it to the finals three years in a row is such an accomplishment.”
North Allegheny’s lineup features six individuals who were recognized on the WPIAL all-star team, including four who were voted to the first team: outside hitter Drew Hunker, setter Sava Topich, libero Trevor Treser and middle hitter Alex Zubrow.
Topich sustained a cut on his left hand during the second set of Tuesday’s match against Bethel Park, but quickly returned to the lineup.
“Sava cut his hand while making a block,” Schall said. “He was fine after we taped his hand.”
Bethel Park
Bethel Park had its most successful season. The Black Hawks finished with a 20-2 record after making their first appearance in the PIAA semifinals. The team’s only two losses were to North Allegheny, with the first coming in the WPIAL title match.
“We didn’t make it to the finals, but I’m very pleased with our performance this year,” Bethel Park coach Zach Smith said. “We went further than any Bethel Park team. That’s something to be proud of. Our only losses were to North Allegheny, a team that hasn’t lost in two seasons.”
Bethel Park loses three of its top hitters to graduation: outside hitter Max Cooley, opposite Josh Sprandle and middle hitter Mason Bussard. Cooley was recognized on the first team of the WPIAL Class 3A all-star team and voted Most Valuable Player. Sprandle was recognized on the third team.
“We lose three very talented hitters, but do have a good group of starters returning with hopes of reloading,” Smith said.
Class 2A
Meadville single-handedly knocked the WPIAL out of the PIAA Class 2A bracket. The Bulldogs advanced to the finals for the fifth time, and first since 2010, by defeating three WPIAL teams.
Meadville opened the tournament with a 3-0 sweep of WPIAL runner-up Seton LaSalle. The Bulldogs then defeated WPIAL third-place finisher Derry Area, 3-2, in the quarterfinals. They advanced to the title match with a 3-1 win against WPIAL champion Ambridge.
“Meadville played a very strong match tonight,” said Ambridge coach Glenn Freed, who led the Bridgers to a 17-4 record. “I’m very proud of my kids and what they were able to accomplish this year. Being the WPIAL champion as the No. 4 seed was awesome. We are losing seven seniors but have four juniors returning from the starting lineup. I am very proud of all of these guys.”
Two of Ambridge’s seniors were recognized on the WPIAL Class 2A all-star team. Setter Dorien Priddy was voted to the first team, while outside hitter David Brock was a third-team selection.