What to watch for in WPIAL sports on June 3, 3035: Volleyball, lacrosse state playoffs begin

By: Don Rebel
Monday, June 2, 2025 | 11:24 PM

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Tuesday marks the start of the PIAA boys volleyball, boys lacrosse and girls lacrosse state playoffs.

Thanks in large part to the success of the North Allegheny program, the WPIAL has had at least one team reach the PIAA boys volleyball finals every season since 2012.

In the last 11 seasons, North Allegheny has captured five state championships and been the runner-up two other times.

After a two-year hiatus, the Tigers returned to the summit in WPIAL Class 3A and now hope to return to the PIAA top of the hill for the first time since 2022.

On Tuesday, North Allegheny (15-1) will host the No. 5 team from District 3 in Palmyra (15-3) at 4:30 p.m. in a match that can be heard on Trib HSSN.

The other two 3A district teams are on the road.

• WPIAL runner-up Seneca Valley (14-4) will visit District 3 runner-up Central York (15-2) at 5:30 p.m.

• Penn-Trafford (13-7) travels to State College (9-5) to face the District 6 winners at 5 p.m.

Shaler eyes 2A bracket

Three-time WPIAL champion Shaler made the adjustment from the Class 3A to the Class 2A district playoffs this spring. Now how will they do participating in the PIAA 2A playoffs?

The Titans lost to Parkland in the 2023 PIAA Class 3A championship match, but then got sweet revenge on the Trojans in last year’s state finals.

Shaler (16-1) welcomes District 10 runner-up Saegertown (12-3) at 6 p.m.

The other two 2A district teams are on the road.

• WPIAL runner-up Ambridge (15-2) makes the short tip to City League champion Obama Academy (8-6) at 6 p.m.

• South Fayette (16-5) heads north to face District 10 winner Meadville (15-0) at 7 p.m.

Blue Devils begin quests

For the second year in a row, Mt. Lebanon swept WPIAL boys and girls lacrosse championships.

After winning both crowns a year ago, both Blue Devils teams were victorious in the PIAA first round, but then fell in the quarterfinals.

Mt. Lebanon boys fell to Garnet Valley and the Blue Devils girls had their season end with a second-round loss to Conestoga.

By winning the district, the Blue Devils earned a home game, but they will both take the short trip south down Route 19 to Bethel Park for a state first-round doubleheader,

The boys will hit the field first as Mt. Lebanon (16-4) takes on the No. 4 out of District 3, Penn Manor (15-6), at 4 p.m.

In the girls contest, Mt. Lebanon (15-3) will also face the No. 4 team from District 3 in New Oxford (13-4) at 5:30 p.m.

The other four 3A district lacrosse teams are on the road.

• WPIAL boys runner-up Shady Side Academy (12-9) will travel to State College (16-3) to play the District 6 winners at 6 p.m.

• North Allegheny boys (11-9) head east to visit District 3 champion Manheim Township (15-2) at 5:30 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN.

• WPIAL girls runner-up Pine-Richland (18-3) joins SSA boys in taking on District 6 winner State College (14-5) at 4:30 p.m.

• Upper St. Clair girls (18-2) joins the NA boys by visiting District 3 champ Manheim Township (13-2) at 3:45 p.m.

Mars blasts off

The only WPIAL school to ever play in a PIAA lacrosse championship match is the Mars boys program.

They liked it so much in breaking the glass ceiling in 2021 that they keep coming back for more.

The Fightin’ Planets begin their journey Tuesday for what they hope is a fifth straight trip to the state finals.

They won it all in 2022 and finished as runners-up in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Like Mt. Lebanon in 3A, the Mars boys and girls swept WPIAL gold this season.

Now the Fightin’ Planets girls program hopes to join the boys in the final at Penn State.

On Tuesday, they will both be home for the first round.

The Mars boys (18-2) will welcome the No. 4 team from District 3 in Lower Dauphin (16-5) at 6:30 p.m.

Prior to that match, the Mars girls (19-1) square off with the No. 4 team from District 3 in Twin Valley (17-4) at 5 p.m.

The other four 2A district lacrosse teams are on the road.

• WPIAL boys runner-up South Fayette (19-1) visits District 10 winner Meadville (7-3) at 6 p.m.

• Hampton boys (16-4) travel to District 3 champion Camp Hill Trinity (20-0) at 5 p.m.

• WPIAL girls runner-up Chartiers Valley (15-4) will face District 10 winner Conneaut (8-5) at Meadville at 4 p.m.

• Quaker Valley girls (11-5) travel to Wyomissing (19-0) to face the District 3 champs at 4:30 p.m.