The Seton-LaSalle High School boys' volleyball team took two significant steps during the 2008 season.

First came a win over next-door neighbor Keystone Oaks. Then came a berth in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.

"Both are huge accomplishments for a program in only its fourth year of existence," Rebels coach Mark Felbinger said. "The win against Keystone Oaks was especially significant because it was the first time we've ever beaten them."

The rematch takes place tonight, this time across McNeilly Road at Keystone Oaks High School.

Seton-LaSalle enters tonight's match with an 8-3 record. Deer Lakes has clinched the section title with an 11-0 record, while Pine-Richland (9-2) is second, only one game ahead of the Rebels. A tie for second place is likely, since Pine-Richland concludes its regular season tonight at Deer Lakes. Keystone Oaks (6-6) has also qualified.

"If Pine-Richland loses to Deer Lakes and we beat Keystone Oaks, then we will both finish with 9-3 records," Felbinger said. "I'm very proud of how the kids have performed, but we still have a chance to take another big step."

The WPIAL Volleyball Steering Committee will meet Monday to determine the playoff brackets. The playoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, depending on how many teams qualify.

"This may be our first appearance, but the kids can't just settle for making the playoffs," Felbinger said. "We have already reached our goal of qualifying. Now we have to set a higher goal. We have the talent to get past the first round. We just have to take advantage of the situation."

Felbinger doesn't want the Rebels to take their playoff appearance for granted.

"We qualified for the WPIAL playoffs during my junior year of high school," said Felbinger, a 2002 graduate of Baldwin High School. "I thought we would qualify again my senior year, but it didn't happen. We took it for granted that we would qualify. That's why I'm stressing the importance of taking advantage of the situation we're in now."

Felbinger came to Seton-LaSalle after helping as a volunteer assistant at Baldwin since graduating from Slippery Rock University in 2006.

Felbinger uses an eight-player rotation that includes six seniors and two juniors.

The seniors are: 6-foot-6 middle hitter Brad McGuirk, 6-0 right-side hitter Joe Palko, 6-2 middle hitter Jon Hamm, 5-8 defensive specialist Scott McClelland, 6-0 setter Peter Bissett and 5-10 senior Travis Weaver. Bissett and Weaver are the Rebels' co-captains.

"Brad is a good blocker who can hit the ball over the opposing blockers very well," Felbinger said. "Joe also has the responsibility of setting when Peter moves to the front line.

"We moved Jon to middle hitter this season and he's done a great job. Peter has shown a lot of leadership ability running our offense."

The two juniors are 6-2 outside hitter Matt Marasco and 6-1 outside hitter Sean Leehan.

"Matt is an offensive juggernaut," Felbinger said. "He hits the ball so hard, and I've never seen a player jump like he does. Sean and Brad are our most consistent hitters. They are a good complement to Matt."