Always improving Penn-Trafford boys volleyball team earns spot in state playoffs

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Previous Next

The mark of a good team is how much it improves during the season.

Penn-Trafford boys volleyball finished third in Section 2-3A, but after an upset win against section champion Latrobe and a win against Pine-Richland in the WPIAL third-place game, the Warriors found themselves in the PIAA playoffs, scheduled to face the winner of the Erie McDowell/State College game on June 3.

“We kept improving,” Penn-Trafford legendary coach Jim Schall said. “I do not know if I expected this, but we kept getting better and better. We are playing really well.”

After Penn-Trafford defeated Latrobe, 3-2, in the WPIAL quarterfinals, the Warriors lost 3-2 against a tall and talented Seneca Valley squad. In that game, Warriors setter Nathaniel Rugh sustained an upper body injury that kept him from playing against Pine-Richland.

Schall said Rugh has been cleared to return to play.

Stepping in for Rugh was junior Billy Spena as Penn-Trafford defeated Pine-Richland, 3-1.

“I thought we would be competitive against Latrobe,” Schall said. “It was a huge win for the team. Latrobe had some talented players.

“We continued to play well against Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland. Billy stepped in and did a great job against Pine-Richland.”

Schall said Spena had not set much this season, but he was a setter for the junior varsity team and his club team.

“He ran the offense well,” Schall said. “He did an outstanding job.”

Other players stepping up for the Warriors were libero Nick Sandrock, middle hitter Owen Gisi and outside hitter Ethan McDonald.

“The team has continued to play well,” Schall said, who said he does not know much about State College or Erie McDowell. “We had not seen them this season. I am sure they are good.”

Athletic physicals set

Penn-Trafford will be offering physicals at the high school for all athletes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m June 12. The cost is $15. (PayPal payments can be made during registration. No cash or checks at check-in.

Payment is required to complete physical registration. No walk-ins will be accepted.)

In addition to signing up for the physical, athletes must select the fall sport they are signing up for at registration.

Registration will close at 11:55 p.m. June 9.

Please see the ArbiterSports registration page for all information concerning the registration, CIPPE Athletic Physical and ImPACT Baseline Concussion Testing.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford