Nonstop celebrations for Shaler, N.Catholic?
Returning WPIAL champs have stacked rosters
The 2023 boys high school volleyball season had a unique finish, as both Shaler and North Catholic celebrated their first WPIAL titles.
There could be a repeat performance in 2024.
Both Shaler and North
Catholic have most of last year’s squads returning.
And both are ranked No. 1 by the Post-Gazette in their classifications.
Shaler claimed its first WPIAL title last year with a 3-0 sweep of five-time defending champion North Allegheny in the Class 3A final. The Titans advanced to the PIAA title match before losing to Parkland.
“We had the most successful season in Shaler volleyball history last year with our first WPIAL championship as well as a PIAA finals appearance,” Titans coach Paul Stadelman said. “This season is a reset, a whole different feel than last season. We are the hunted instead of the hunter.”
Stadelman has eight of his top nine players returning, including three who were recognized on the WPIAL Class 3A all-star team.
“It’s great to have so much talent returning, but repeating as WPIAL champion will be no easy task,” Stadelman said. “Class 3A is highly competitive this year.”
Shaler’s returning WPIAL all-stars are 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter Logan Peterson, 6-2 senior middle hitter Dante Palombo and 5-9 senior libero Cam Miller.
Peterson was named the Post-Gazette’s Player of the Year and was joined on the WPIAL first team by Palombo. Miller was voted to the second team. All three were recognized on the PVCA all-state team.
North Allegheny enters the 2024 season the way it ended the 2023 season, as the Tigers are ranked No. 2 behind Shaler. Tigers coach Dan Long has six returning starters.
“We are eager to embrace the challenge of our highly competitive section,” said Long, referring to the fact that Shaler and North Allegheny both compete in Section 2.
“We are hopeful that the experience gained from last season and the development from the offseason will prepare us to be competitive, if the opportunities are earned, at the WPIAL and PIAA levels.”
North Allegheny’s lineup features three seniors who were voted to the WPIAL allstar team last season. Nicolas Carioto, 5-10 setter, was a second-team selection. Stone Gaertner, a 6-4 senior outside hitter, and Will Hahn, a 5-4 libero, were voted to the third team.
North Catholic is the clear favorite in Class 2A, as the Trojans have all but two starters back.
“We are a veteran group with five returning starters,” said North Catholic coach Stacie Ball. “Defending our title will be no easy task, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
North Catholic’s lineup features two WPIAL allstars. Lucas Gunther, a 6-1 senior outside hitter was voted to the first team. Drew Palmer, a 6-4 junior outside hitter, was a third-team selection.
“Having Lucas and Drew returning at outside hitter gives us two legitimate weapons,” Ball said. “Our biggest concern coming into the season was to find a setter. Liam Cooke [5-10 senior] has taken over as our setter. How quickly he develops will play a big part in our success.”
Mars is a team to watch in Class 2A. The Planets advanced to the semifinals last year before dropping a 3-2 decision to Ambridge. Planets coach Michael Nypaver has six players returning from that squad, including four players who were voted to the WPIAL Class 2A allstar team.
Ryan Ceh, a 6-5 senior middle hitter and a basketball standout, was voted to the first team. Derek Piatek, a 6-4 junior outside hitter, and Kyler Robinson, a 5-10 junior setter, were secondteam selections. Colton Riska, a 5-8 senior libero, was voted to the third team.
“I hope this year we are as, if not more, competitive as last season,” Nypaver said. “I hope to build off of the success we had last year and fight for a playoff spot.”