Seneca Valley Unseats Baldwin to Win the First Volleyball 4-A Title

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 5, 2016 | 11:05 PM

Three was the number of the night in the WPIAL Class 4-A Girls Volleyball Championships. Baldwin was going for their third straight district title, but it was Seneca Valley winning their third District title in program history, in straight sets, 3-0 (27-25, 25-22, 25-21). The Lady Raiders became the first ever WPIAL Champions in Class 4-A under the new classifications, defeating the two-time defending champs on their home court.

A back-and-forth first set started to go in favor of the 2-seed Seneca Valley. However, facing set point, Baldwin rattled off six straight points under the serving prowess of Brenna Green to tie the score at 24-24. Seneca Valley would face a set point of their own, but rally to take the first set 27-25. Maria Alfano had six kills from the middle hitting position in the opening frame.

Baldwin responded like true champions do, using a big run to jump out to an 18-10 lead in set two. Seneca Valley rattled of nine straight points to take the lead, and finished the set on a 15-4 run to win 25-22. Junior Emily Devlin registered seven kills in the second set.

Set three was close most of the set, but with Seneca Valley leading most of the way. Facing match point, Baldwin put in one final stand, again with Green on the service line. The Lady Highlanders cut the lead in half with a four point run, but ran out of time and lost the set 25-21.

Seneca Valley was led by Maria Alfano’s 16 kills and 7 blocks. She was completely dominant in the middle, and Baldwin had no answer for the 6’1″ senior. The “Lethal Lefty” Emily Devlin had 14 kills as well for the Lady Raiders. Libero Isabella Seman had an amazing performance on the back line, and Maddy McDonough was near flawless in her sets to Alfaro, Devlin, and company.

Baldwin was led by Naval Academy recruit Madison Sgattoni’s 19 kills. She registered 68 kills over her last three matches. Allison Murray, Sydney Yanchik, and Brianna Phillips contributed 8, 7, and 6 kills, respectively. Baldwin’s great run from the 8-seed in the tournament falls one game short of their goal of a three-peat. The Lady Highlanders (12-4) now enter the PIAA Tournament as the 2-seed out of the WPIAL and will face City-League Champions Allderdice in the first round on Tuesday.

Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini praised her team’s ability to stay calm and composed in the crazy atmosphere with a crowd largely in favor of the Highlanders on their home court. Her team played to near perfection in all facets of the game. Seneca Valley (13-1) will enjoy their WPIAL gold, but will have to face a quick turnaround. They will face Exeter Township, the 3-seed out of District 3, in the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Tuesday.

Tags: Baldwin