Penn-Trafford, Bethel Park battle for first WPIAL title
It’s no surprise to hear that a Schall will be coaching in tonight’s WPIAL boys volleyball finals. But it’s not North Allegheny coach Dan Schall, who has led the Tigers to the finals 11 times in 13 years.
Brother Jim Schall and his Penn-Trafford Warriors will make their debut in the WPIAL Class AAA title match at 8 p.m. today at Baldwin High School. The top-seeded Warriors will face No. 3 seed Bethel Park in a match that features two schools that have never won a WPIAL volleyball title.
“It’s great to finally get to the finals,” said Jim Schall, now in his 14th season at Penn-Trafford. “It’s been a long wait for me and the program.”
Penn-Trafford earned its title berth with a 3-1 win against No. 5 seed Seneca Valley in Tuesday’s semifinals. Seneca Valley posted a 26-24 win in the first set, but Penn-Trafford rallied to win the next three sets, 2518, 25-16 and 25-19. Brendan O’Toole led the Warriors with 18 kills, while Brandon McGowan recorded 14 kills.
“This is the best boys squad I’ve had,” said Schall, who also coaches PennTrafford’s girls team. “We’ve been to the [WPIAL] final four before, but never been in the finals before. The kids are really excited.”
Bethel Park earned its third trip to the finals, and second in four years, by dominating No. 2 seed North Allegheny. The Black Hawks posted victories of 25-14, 25-19 and 25-15 to move to the title match. Jake Dixon led Bethel Park with 19 kills, while Mike Kapusta had 10.
“This is the best team I’ve ever had,” said Bethel Park coach Tom Allman, now in his 25th season. “We’ve been solid in all phases of the game, offense, defense, passing and serving. The title match should be a slugfest between two very strong teams.”
Penn-Trafford’s lineup features six Section 3 allstars. McGowan (6-2, Jr., OH), O’Toole (6-5, Sr., OH), Joe Salesi (5-9, Jr., S) and Zach Werksman (6-3, Jr., MH) were first-team selections, while Andre Guest (6-4, Sr., MH) and Adam Lane (5-9, Sr., OH) were recognized on the second team.
Bethel Park’s lineup features seven Section 1 allstars. Dixon (6-6, Sr., OH), Kapusta (6-4, Jr., OH), Brandon Thorsen (6-1, Sr., S), Zach Lizun (6-3, Jr., MH) and Derek Miller (510, Sr., L) were voted to the first team, while Caleb Pierson (6-2, Jr., RH) and Connor Savrese (6-4, Jr., MH) were recognized on the second team.
Class AA
The WPIAL Class AA final features one of the top programs in WPIAL history and a squad making its first title appearance.
Top seed and four-time defending champion Ambridge will make its eighth title appearance in nine years, while No. 2 Beaver County Christian is making its finals debut. The match will be held at 6 p.m. today, prior to the Class AAA final.
Ambridge earned its title berth with a 25-22, 25-18, 2523 sweep of No. 5 seed Montour. Anthony Baronio led the Bridgers with 21 kills, while Derek Kuhn contributed 15.
“We’re expecting another great battle with Beaver County Christian,” said Ambridge coach Glenn Freed, referring to the Bridgers’ two Section 1 wins against the Eagles. “We may have beat them twice, but we still have to bring our A-game to beat them again.”
Beaver County Christian earned its title berth with a 25-23, 25-18, 25-17 semifinal win against No. 3 seed Deer Lakes. Quinn McCracken led the Eagles with 18 kills, while Daniel Townsend added 13.
“It’s quite an accomplishment for a school as small as ours to make it to the WPIAL finals in our eighth year of competition,” Beaver CC coach Christen Adels said. “We have only 33 boys at the high school.”
Ambridge’s lineup features six players recognized as all-Section 1. Baronio (6-1, Sr., OH), Kuhn (6-0, Sr., OH), Capen Brendle (5-11, Sr., S) and Adam Fryer (6-1, Sr., OH) were voted to the first team, while Daniel Elliott (5-8, Soph., L) and John Olexsovich (6-4, Jr., MH) were second-team picks.
Beaver CC’s lineup features five all-Section 1 selections. Townsend (5-10, Jr., OH), McCracken (6-2, Sr., MH), Matthew Knab (6-0, Jr., S) and Adam Shaw (59, Jr., OH), were first-team picks, while Peter Barbato (6-3, Soph., RH) was recognized on the second team.