Experience limited for North Hills boys volleyball
By:
Friday, March 30, 2018 | 11:00 PM
North Hills' boys volleyball team didn't get a chance to set high expectations.
Fate left the Indians with a less-experienced roster than coach Jeff Beavers would have liked. Before North Hills was able to take on Butler in its first Section 2-AAA matchup recently, the Indians were weakened by two injuries.
The Indians never found their feet, falling to the Golden Tornado, 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-18).
“Not a whole lot,” said Beavers about what expectations he has for North Hills. “We had some major injuries early in the season. That put us in a bind.”
North Hills lost one of its top outside hitters — Justin Avon — and its top setter, Chris Reamon. The Indians do return sophomore Nate Saul, who saw time at libero last season. Byron Spear, Dom Porko, Chris Thornton and Brandon Stabb also return from last season's team.
Finding other players to fill key roles will be fleshed out over the next few weeks. Right now, Beavers hasn't had time to develop answers.
“That's a good question because (Butler) was our opening game,” Beavers said. “We haven't had a lot of practices to see who can step up. This is a fly by the seat of our pants for the next couple weeks until we get organized a little bit.”
Not having much experience will make things tough for the Indians. Two teams in North Hills' section — North Allegheny and Fox Chapel — have accounted for 15 of the past 17 WPIAL crowns.
Butler, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley and Shaler have also been playoff contenders over the past several seasons.
For North Hills, the focus will be on having players learn the game.
Injuries made it tough for the Indians to ease players into the lineup.
Many North Hills players will have to learn through on-the-job experience.
“It's been a major setback,” Beavers said. “It's going to be trial and error to see who can step up and do the job. It's like the Steelers, a next-man-up kind of deal.”
Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.
Tags: North Hills
More High School Volleyball
• Ranked WPIAL boys volleyball teams aim to remain in contention during season’s stretch run• Gateway boys volleyball making playoff push in Section 2-2A
• Bethel Park’s Ryan Petras, Eddie Cebula make early season impact
• Ellen Toy’s volleyball legacy lives on with A-K Valley Sports Hall of Fame induction
• Coaches rankings: Shaler, North Allegheny, top 2 teams in Class 3A, battle for tournament title
