Butler
Coach: Lew Liparulo (25th year)
Returning Starters:
6-1 senior outside hitter Nash Bryan
6-2 senior middle hitter Cody Schnur
5-10 senior outside hitter Conner Chapla
6-2 senior right side Andrew Chwalik
6-0 senior setter Tyler Rankin
5-10 senior libero Dan Kline
Season Outlook:
We have a good group of seniors who have seen significant playing time since their sophomore year. Six of our top eight players are back from last year's team. I've never had this many experienced seniors.
Section Favorite:
North Allegheny has to be considered the favorite. Seneca Valley will also be strong. I feel we should be able to hang with these teams.
WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny, Penn-Trafford, and Bethel Park are teams to watch.
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North Allegheny
Coach: Dan Schall (16th year)
Returning Starters:
5-10 senior defensive specialist Ryan Beck
6-5 senior setter A.J. Schmidt
6-3 senior middle hitter Jason Stiefvater
6-7 senior outside hitter Canyon Tuman
6-4 senior outside hitter Jake Barber
6-0 senior defensive specialist Josh Bachinsky
Season Outlook:
We lost five of our top seven players to graduation, but we have a good group of kids returning who have varsity experience.
Section Favorite:
Butler and Seneca Valley will have strong teams.
WPIAL Favorite:
In addition to Butler and Seneca Valley, I think Penn-Trafford, Hempfield, and Bethel Park all will have strong teams who will contend.
Young Players to Watch:
Max Cooley is an excellent young player who already has a great deal of varsity experience for Bethel Park; Luke Olson of Pine-Richland will continue to be a dominant offensive threat at Pine-Richland. Joey Ferragonio (Norwin) and Will Kuhns (Hempfield) are very talented young players. Luke Trzeciak of Seneca Valley is a talented outside hitter. Shaler has a collection of sophomores who will have the opportunity to make a big impact.
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Pine-Richland
Coach: Shawn Grady (1st year head coach, assistant previous 3 years)
Returning Starters:
6-1 Senior Outside Hitter Steve Gleyze
6-5 Junior Outside Hitter Luke Olson
6-4 Senior Middle Hitter Matt Zirckel
6-1 Senior Middle Hitter Chris Gebhardt
5-5 Sophomore Libero Blake Todorowski
Season Outlook:
We expect to compete for the section and make a run in playoffs. That is our goal each year and we will strive to hit that
Section Favorite:
North Allegheny, until they are un-seated are the team to beat.
WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny, until they are un-seated are the team to beat.
Young Players to Watch:
Pine Richland has a handful of sophomores to be impact players this season, specifically Blake Todorowski in his second season.
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North Hills
Coach: Jeff Beavers (4th year)
Returning Starters:
5-9 senior defensive specialist David Alexander
6-0 senior outside hitter Kevin Lovasik
6-2 senior middle hitter Joe Pastorius
5-9 senior outside hitter Dom Porco
5-8 senior setter Cedric Reamon
6-4 junior outside hitter Byron Spear
5-11 senior defensive specialist Brandon Staab
6-2 sophomore setter Chris Thornton
Season Outlook:
While we are getting better and expect to be competitive, being in the toughest 3A section with North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Shaler is definitely a challenge. One of our many goals for this season is to win a section match.
Section Favorite:
North Allegheny
WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny
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Seneca Valley
Coach: Karen Martini (1st year)
Returning Starters:
6-4 middle hitter Kyle Martini
6-4 middle hitter Kyle Montrose
6-5 outside hitter Dan DeGraaf
Season Outlook:
This is a rebuilding year for Seneca Valley with a new coaching staff and a young team. We are returning three starters and a group of talented players. We are looking to build for the future and have a successful season.
Section Favorite:
North Allegheny
WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny
Young Players to Watch:
I know many juniors and seniors that will have their names out there. I am still looking for that young sophomore or freshman to make a mark.
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Shaler
Coach: Paul Stadelman (8th year)
Returning Starters:
6-2 Senior Outside Hitter Jon Ramsey,
6-2 Senior Middle Hitter Owen Freiss,
6-0 Sophomore Outside Hitter Billy Dadowski,
5-9 Junior Setter/DS Cam Aigner
Season Outlook:
We are shooting for a second straight year in the playoffs.
Section Favorite:
North Allegheny
WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny