2019 WPIAL Class 3A Section 1 Preview Capsules

Baldwin

Coach: Milan Yekich (1st year as head coach, third year with program)

Returning Starters:
senior outside hitter Russell Cyprowski
senior middle Nick Pouch
senior libero Colton Barr
junior setter Mason Hoydick
junior outside/right hitter Mark Campana.

Season Outlook:
The outlook for this season still is unclear. We lost our core players/starters last year but still have key leaders in each position to carry that load. We are still in the process of finding that perfect line up where everyone jells well on the court.

Section Favorite:
Bethel Park is the team to beat and compete toe to toe with.

WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny is hands down in a league of their own.

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Bethel Park

Coach: Zach Smith (7th year)

Returning Starters:
6-2 senior outside Max Cooley
6-4 senior middle Mason Bussard
5-10 junior setter Kevin Kerr
5-10 junior libero Tony Boff

Season Outlook:
We have a good nucleus of returning players to build around. Our goal is to win the section title and compete for the WPIAL title.

Section Favorite:
In terms of our section, I've heard good things about USC and Canon Mac this year but haven't seen anyone yet.

WPIAL Favorite:
The favorite in the WPIAL has to be North Allegheny. Dan Schall does such a great job developing players and they have a great offseason program, so I am sure they will be ready to go and primed to repeat as champs.

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Canon-McMillan

Coach: Sheila Mitchell (5th year)

Returning Starters:
6-4 senior setter/opposite Aidan Kelly
6-2 senior middle hitter Cody Schmidt
6-2 junior outside hitter Nic Brewster
5-11 junior outside hitter Skylar Higgins
5-10 junior defensive specialist Kyle Katreeb

Season Outlook:
Coming off of a great season last year, this year's team is ready to win! We have returning starters who are ready to step up into positions that we graduated last year. We are tall up front, so I look forward to seeing a stronger block this season.

Section Favorite:
Bethel Park always has a strong team.

WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny is always a favorite.

Young Players to Watch:
Canon-McMillan's Luke Fincham (6-1, middle hitter), Seneca Valley freshman libero.

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Central Catholic

Coach: Kris Scigliano (35th year)

List your returning starters:
senior middle hitter Luke Krasinski
senior defensive specialist Will Richardson
junior setter/outside hitter Sam Marchand
junior outside hitter John Farkos
junior outside hitter Colin Sakony
junior outside hitter Blake Niederlander
junior defensive specialist Sam Miller
junior outside hitter Jonah Duch

Season Outlook
Rebuilding. Middle of the pack.

Section Favorite
Bethel Park

WPIAL Favorite
North Allegheny  

Young Players to Watch
Seneca Valley's Coleman McDonough Seneca Valley. I have been watching him come along the last couple years.

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Moon

Coach: Steve Nicola (1st year)

Returning Starters:
None

Season Outlook:
We will look to improve throughout the season.

Section Favorite:
Bethel Park

WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny

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Peters Township

Coach: Nate Swauger (4th year)

Returning Starters:
6-8 senior opposite Alex Puhl
6-2 senior middle hitter Sam Chlystek
6-5 senior middle hitter Sean Werner
5-11 senior setter Sean Sullivan

Season Outlook:
Our goal is to compete for playoff spot.

Section Favorite:
Bethel Park

WPIAL Favorite:
North Allegheny

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Upper St. Clair

Coach: Josh Ficorilli (6th year)

Returning Starters:
6-4 senior middle hitter Sam Berlin
6-4 senior middle hitter Tommy Howell
6-3 junior outside hitter R.J. White
5-10 senior defensive specialist Nate Murphy

Season Outlook:
Over the course of the last few seasons, we have lost several key seniors. With only three on this current roster, we look to utilize a younger, more-balanced team (or at least I hope so). There may be some bumps in the road, but we should get them ironed out sooner than later.

Section Favorite:
Bethel Park is always the favorite in the section. At least until someone takes the title from them.

WPIAL Favorite:
As long as North Allegheny still has a team, aren't they always the favorite?