Both of last year's WPIAL boys volleyball champions are now competing in the same class, but neither is a favorite in the Post-Gazette's preseason rankings as section play in the WPIAL begins Tuesday.
Class 3A will crown a new champ, as two-time returning champion Shaler has moved down to Class 2A in the PIAA's biennial realignment due to a drop in enrollment.
“We had the option of playing up in classification, but the district is not expecting a rise in enrollment in the near future, so we felt moving to Class 2A was the direction we would pursue," said Shaler coach Paul Stadelman, now in his 14th year as Titans coach.
Significant graduation losses also played a part in Shaler's decision to move down to Class 2A. Stadelman used 11 players in last year's WPIAL title match, and all 11 were seniors.
"We are a very inexperienced team, with players who have been waiting for their chance to start," Stadelman said. "But I do expect us to be highly competitive. Our process is to gain experience as the season goes on."
Mars is the defending champ in Class 2A, but the Planets are also dealing with significant graduation losses.
"We lost six of our top eight players to graduation," said Planets coach Michael Nypaver, now in his ninth season. "We are in a rebuilding stage but still have our setter and top outside hitter back."
Nypaver is referring to senior setter Kyler Robinson and senior outside hitter Derek Piatek. Both were voted to the WPIAL Class 2A first team last season.
Both Shaler and Mars are expected to be serious contenders for the WPIAL title, but Ambridge opens the season as the Post-Gazette's favorite in Class 2A.
Ambridge has been the most successful program in Class 2A since the PIAA added a second classification in 2007. The Bridgers have won nine titles and placed second once in 16 years, which does not include the canceled 2020 season due to COVID-19.
Coach Glenn Freed enters his 14th season at Ambridge, with five starters returning from a squad that placed third in the WPIAL. The top returnee is senior outside hitter Karson Merlina, who was recognized on the WPIAL first team last season.
"We have a good group of starters returning, along with some younger players stepping into more prominent roles," Freed said. "With a good mix of old and new, we are expecting good things. Our goal every year is to win a WPIAL title."
Ambridge will be strong on the front line, as senior middle hitters Owen Buchanan and Carter Catalano are back, along with junior outside hitter Nathan Sheffield.
The top newcomers for Shaler are senior setter Aiden Smith, senior outside hitter Jacob Crissman and senior libero Justin Truong.
Class 3A
With Shaler no longer competing in Class 3A, North Allegheny returns to the top of the rankings. The Tigers have won 17 WPIAL titles and placed second four times in a 24-year stretch beginning in 2000.
Coach Dan Long enters his third year with a squad that returns five starters from a team that placed second behind Shaler in each of the past two years.
"We expect to be competing for the section title in a very strong Section 3, with the hopes of competing for WPIAL and PIAA titles, as well," Long said.
North Allegheny's top two returnees are junior outside hitter Will Robertson and junior middle blocker Peter Bratich. Both were voted to the WPIAL Class 3A first team last year.
With only five teams in Section 3, North Allegheny does not begin its section schedule until next week. But the Tigers will most likely be without Robertson.
"Will sprained his ankle in a school-sponsored three-on-three basketball competition on Friday," Long said. "He's had problems with ankle sprains before. He could be out a couple weeks."
Despite the loss of Shaler, North Allegheny is still in the strongest of the Class 3A sections. Also competing in the newly formed five-team section are Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland, Butler and Moon.
"North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland and Butler are four of the strongest teams in Class 3A, but only three of us can qualify for the WPIAL tournament," said Seneca Valley coach Brett Poirier, who is also the Raiders girls coach.
"We faced the same situation during the girls season and we were the team that didn't make playoffs despite beating the section champ in the other three sections in nonsection matches."
Seneca Valley is ranked No. 2, with five of its top nine players returning. The Raiders top returnees are senior middle hitter Jordan Hoover and senior setter Abheek Nelikil. Hoover was recognized on the WPIAL first team last year.
Pine-Richland and Butler are also in the top five at No. 3 and No. 5. The Rams feature 6-foot-9 junior outside/middle hitter Doolin Stober, a WPIAL first-team honoree.
Another team to watch is Latrobe. The Wildcats moved up in classification but have seven starters returning, including a pair of WPIAL Class 2A first-team honorees: senior setter Eric Bisignani and senior outside hitter Owen Ward.
"We won the North Allegheny invitational on Saturday," Latrobe coach Drew Vosefski said. "That's a big step in the right direction for us. We're looking forward to the challenge of being in Class 3A again."
WPIAL Rankings
Class 3A
1. North Allegheny 2-0
2. Seneca Valley 2-1
3. Latrobe 3-0
4. Pine-Richland 1-0
5. Butler 2-1
Class 2A
1. Ambridge 1-0
2. Shaler 1-1
3. Mars 1-2
4. North Catholic 2-0
5. Seton LaSalle 1-2
Players to watch
Eric Bisignani, Latrobe 6-4, Sr., S
Peter Bratich, North Allegheny 6-7, Jr., MH
Jordan Hoover, Seneca Valley 6-5, Sr., MH
Karson Merlina, Ambridge 5-9, Sr., OH
Drew Palmer, North Catholic 6-6, Sr., OH
Derek Piatek, Mars 6-4, Sr., OH
Travis Potteiger, South Fayette 5-11, Sr., OH
Will Robertson, North Allegheny 6-2, Jr., OH
Kyler Robinson, Mars 5-11, Sr., S
Declan Sipe, Seton LaSalle 6-1, Sr., S/RH
Doolin Stober, Pine-Richland 6-9, Jr., OH/MH
Owen Ward, Latrobe 6-3, Sr., MH/OH
First Published: March 24, 2025, 4:39 p.m.
Updated: March 25, 2025, 2:13 a.m.
