Top-ranked 3A teams collide in showdown

The Post-Gazette’s preseason boys volleyball rankings had defending champion North Allegheny ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class 3A and Seneca Valley No. 2.

Six weeks have passed and the two teams are still atop the rankings.

Seneca Valley enters the final week of the season with hopes of taking over the top spot, but must beat North Allegheny in Tuesday’s Section 2 rematch for that to happen.

The two teams met in the first half of section play April 15 at Seneca Valley and North Allegheny recorded a four-set victory (25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18).

Tuesday’s rematch is at North Allegheny.

“North Allegheny has won three state titles [in the past seven years],” Seneca Valley coach Brett Poirier said. “A lot of their kids have been playing together since seventh grade. It will take a great effort on our part to beat them. Our kids are looking forward to the challenge.”

Poirier is in his first full season as head coach. He served under former coach Karen Martini for two seasons as an assistant before stepping up to the head position last year, but his debut was delayed one season by the COVID-19 cancellation of the 2020 season.

“I had high expectations for this team coming into the season,” Poirier said. “Many of my kids play for Steel City Volleyball Club and we had been working out two times a week since November. We also played in two tournaments.”

Seneca Valley’s top player is James McDonough, a 6-0 junior libero.

“James is a UCLA recruit,” Poirier said. “He’s one of the best liberos in the state.”

Seneca Valley’ s offense features four potent hitters: 6- 6 junior opposite Nathan DeGraaf, 6-4 junior outside hitter Dawson Ward, 6-3 senior outside hitter Michael Devlin and 6- 5 senior middle hitter James McCarthy.

“I like having so many weapons on offense,” Poirier said. “It’s very hard for our opponent to key on any one player.”

Evan Howley, a 5-11 senior setter, runs the Raiders offense.

South Fayette

South Fayette’s WPIAL debut was delayed one year when the 2020 season was erased by COVID-19.

The Lions are finally getting their chance in 2021 and making the most of their opportunity.

“Being a first-year program, the team has certainly exceeded my expectations,” said coach Ron Kelly, a 32-year coaching veteran who was serving as Thomas Jefferson’s assistant prior to taking the reins at South Fayette. “Especially since last season’s cancellation robbed our team of valuable varsity experience.”

South Fayette improved its record to 6-4 with Monday’s 3- 1 win against Canon-McMillan and Tuesday’s 3- 0 sweep of Moon. The wins have clinched the Lions a WPIAL Class 3A playoff berth and moved them one step closer to a third-place finish in Section 1.

“We’ve made some big strides from the beginning of the season until now,” Kelly said. “Our biggest win was against Upper St. Clair [ the second- place team in Section 1]. They swept us in the first half [on April 6] and we beat them, 3-2, in the second half [on April 29].”

South Fayette’s success is even more impressive when you consider Kelly missed two weeks of the season.

“I caught the corona virus and had to miss two weeks,” Kelly said. “I missed three games. My assistant Adam Diodata did a good job working with the kids while I was out of the picture.”

South Fayette’s top player is Blaine Jones, a 63 junior outside hitter.

“Blaine is a powerful hitter who can jump higher than anybody in the section,” Kelly said. “He was fabulous in our win over Upper St. Clair.”

Also making a major contribution for South Fayette are Mitch Howard, a 6-4 senior outside hitter, and Ryan Miller, a 6-1 senior setter.

“Ryan has done a fine job for a first-year setter,” Kelly said. “He is a good leader with good hands who can also block. Mitch has done a good job for us in the middle as a solid blocker.”

Kelly is looking forward to the playoffs.

“To make it this far in our first year of WPIAL competition is impressive,” Kelly said. “I want to see what this group of kids can do in the playoffs.”

Plum

Plum entered the week with the distinction of being one of two teams in the WPIAL with the fewest section matches completed. The Mustangs, one of five teams in Class 2A Section 2, began the week with a 1-1 record, while section foe Gateway was 02.

“We’ve had multiple matches postponed due to shutdowns, mostly of other teams in our section,” Mustangs first-year coach Fisher Biagiatis said. “But we also had a one-week shutdown [from April 22-29]. We haven’t played a section match in over two weeks.”

Plum returned to action this week with hopes of playing its remaining six section matches in the final two weeks of the season.

“We have three matches scheduled this week and three next week,” Biagiatis said. “Our two biggest matches are Wednesday and Thursday against Deer Lakes. We also have a match at Derry on Friday.”

Biagiatis was supposed to make his coaching debut as an assistant last year, but the season was canceled. He moved up to head coach when Rich Peterson stepped down.

“We haven’t played many section matches, but we have been able to get in three non-section matches and competed in two tournaments,” Biagiatis said.

Plum’s top player is 6-5 senior outside/middle hitter Alex Vidas.

“Alex is our only fouryear player and our only player who has club volleyball experience,” Biagiatis said. “He’s an unconventional hitter who can play any of the three frontline positions. He has several college offers, but has yet to make a decision.”

Other key players for the Mustangs are 6-3 junior setter/right-side hitter Cameron Moss and 6-4 senior outside hitter Evan Azzara.

“Evan is a big blocker and solid hitter who accepted a Division I football scholarship to Miami of Ohio. Cameron is a basketball player who is a setter/ opposite in our 6- 2 offense.”