Close battles, big wins reflected in movement within WPIAL boys volleyball coaches polls

By: Michael Love
Monday, April 8, 2024 | 12:18 PM

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It was a busy week in WPIAL boys volleyball as teams in both Class 3A and Class 2A had strong showings and made their move in the rankings as the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association released its latest top-10 polls Monday morning.

Shaler stayed on top in Class 3A with a win over No. 6 Butler before capping off the week with a win at the Northeastern tournament in York County.

The Titans were the only WPIAL team in the tournament. They defeated Emmaus, 2-0, in the championship match.

North Allegheny remained at No. 2 and finished the week by winning the Derry tournament Saturday.

The Tigers topped Class 2A No. 1 Mars in the one-game championship final.

Norwin, Seneca Valley and Penn-Trafford round out the top five.

The actual moon wasn’t the only thing to make a noticeable move Monday as the Moon Tigers also made a move into the top 10 at No. 10.

Moon lost a tough 3-2 section match to No. 7 Canon-McMillan on April 2 but bounced back two days later to top Baldwin, 3-1.

The top four in Class 2A didn’t change from last week, as Mars held on to the top spot, followed by Ambridge, North Catholic and Latrobe.

But Derry made a significant move from No. 10 last week to No. 5 this week with a 3-0 victory over last week’s No. 5 team, Gateway, and a close 3-2 loss to Latrobe.

Gateway, which bounced back to defeat Armstrong after the Derry setback, fell three spots to No. 8 this week.

Every WPIAL boys volleyball coach has the opportunity to vote for each week’s top-10 polls.

The players of the week are selected based on submitted coaches’ nominations.

Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association

WPIAL Boys Volleyball

Top-10 Polls – Week 4

Class 3A

1. Shaler (last week: 1)

2. North Allegheny (2)

3. Norwin (4)

4. Seneca Valley (3)

5. Penn-Trafford (5)

6. Butler (7)

7. Canon-McMillan (6)

8. Pine-Richland (9)

9. Hempfield (8)

10. Moon (NR)

Out: Upper St. Clair (10)

Class 3A Players of the Week

Eddie Cebula, senior, outside hitter, Bethel Park

Coleton Welter, senior, outside hitter, Butler

Nick Puskaric, junior, middle hitter, Norwin

Jack Ryan, junior, setter, Central Catholic

Class 2A

1. Mars (last week: 1)

2. Ambridge (2)

3. North Catholic (3)

4. Latrobe (4)

5. Derry (10)

6. South Fayette (7)

7. Seton LaSalle (6)

8. Gateway (5)

9. Montour (9)

10. Thomas Jefferson (8)

Class 2A Players of the Week

Donovan Bober, senior, right side, Ambridge

Nathan Rosenberger, senior, outside hitter, Armstrong

Owen Ward, junior, middle hitter, Latrobe

Noah Wheeler, junior, outside hitter, OLSH

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Ambridge, Armstrong, Bethel Park, Butler, Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Derry Area, Gateway, Hempfield, Latrobe, Mars, Montour, Moon, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Norwin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn-Trafford, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Seton La Salle, Shaler, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson