Penn-Trafford boys volleyball sharpens skills vs. top opponents in early season

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford boys volleyball Jim Schall said he saw some encouraging things from his team from the North Allegheny tournament March 22.

Despite going 3-5 against some of the top teams in the state — the likes of Central York, Manheim Central, North Allegheny and Canon-McMillan — Schall felt it was a good learning experience. The Warriors split two games against Canon-McMillan, who they then swept, 3-0, at home on March 26.

“It was a good day overall,” Schall said. “We won our pool and then played against some great competition. We didn’t play against any slouches. You get to see a lot of good competition and how you match up.”

Penn-Trafford is 2-1 in nonsection action, defeating Plum and Upper St. Clair but falling to Class 2A power Shaler. The Warriors were set to open Section 2 action April 1 at Armstrong. They play host to Franklin Regional on April 3.

The Warriors are the smallest school, by enrollment, in Class 3A by four boys. Shaler is the largest in Class 2A.

Penn-Trafford is in Section 2 along with Latrobe, Hempfield, Norwin, Armstrong and Franklin Regional.

“I’m happy where we are at,” Schall said. “It’s good competition. We know a lot about Latrobe, Hempfield and Norwin. Armstrong is improved and Franklin Regional isn’t bad for a first-year team.”

Latrobe showed how strong it can be after winning the North Allegheny tournament.

Penn-Trafford returns five players from last year’s squad.

Heading the list is senior setter Nathaniel Rugh, senior libero Nick Sandrock, senior middle hitter Owen Gisi and senior outside hitters Connor Evangeliste and Caiden McDonald. Evangeliste and McDonald shared the position.

New faces in the eight-man rotation are junior middle hitter Nick Laskey, senior outside hitter Gavin Langan and junior defensive specialist Billy Spena.

“Nathaniel was our setter last season, and he’s stepped up his play,” Schall said. “He has been pretty good.

“One of our other strengths is the balance with our hitting. We have the ability to use all of our hitters.”

Schall said the team needs to continue to work on passing.

“When we pass well, we’re a solid team,” Schall said. “We still must connect. Everybody must do that.”

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