Small, young Shaler Area volleyball team adapts scheme to find success

By: Josh Rizzo
Thursday, March 28, 2019 | 9:47 PM

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Trapper Crain knows the Shaler boys volleyball team isn’t likely to overpower opponents.

The 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter wants the Titans to set the pace. For Shaler to extend its streak of making the WPIAL playoffs to a third year, the Titans plan on moving quickly.

“During preseason, we did conditioning, running and were working on quick speed and a fast approach,” Crain said. “We don’t want to go into midseason and be setting our balls high like we are a big team that is going to overpower people.”

Shaler opened the season by winning the Cambridge Springs tournament before taking down Pine-Richland, 3-2, in its section opener last Tuesday.

Without a player taller than 6-foot-3 or any seniors in the lineup, Shaler plans to focus on scheme.

Thus far, the Titans have found ways to adapt.

Crain has been adjusting on the fly and showcased his versatility. He moved to outside hitter this season after playing primarily as a libero.

Against the Rams, Crain led the team with 20 kills, while adding 10 digs and four aces.

“Trapper Crain can play whatever position you put him in. He can be a great defender and can hit,” Titans coach Paul Stadelman said.

Before this season, Crain said he hadn’t hit a lot of outside since he did in club a few seasons ago. There is a lot of room for Crain to grow at the position. Shaler is trying to follow that example as a group.

“Since we are the short team, we need to work on our technique,” Crain said. “We want to make all the digs and avoid unforced errors.”

Billy Dadowski (11 kills), Grant Newland (14 digs) and John Kenst (45 assists) also played important roles for the Titans against Pine-Richland. After falling behind 2-1, Shaler showed mettle by winning the fourth (25-12) and fifth (15-13) sets.

Stadelman believes it was a strong start.

Improving on the Titans’ first-round playoff exit from last season will rely on that continued progression throughout the year.

“We need to improve on our consistency,” Stadelman said. “We will play well for a period of time and then we can get a little bit out of system. If we are more consistent and we out-work, out-defend other teams we can do well.”

Tags: Shaler