North Allegheny, Shaler lead way at Kohler Classic, top weekly coaches rankings

Apr. 13—North Allegheny and Shaler fared well at the prestigious Koller Classic in York on Saturday.

Both made it to the semifinals, and the Tigers claimed the title with a straight-set win over Central Dauphin in the finals.

Coming off those tournament performances, North Allegheny and Shaler remained at the top of the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association WPIAL boys rankings.

The top-10 polls were released Monday morning to kick off another week of crucial nonsection and section matchups in Class 3A and Class 2A.

Hempfield was the biggest mover in Class 3A, up to No. 6 after wins over Franklin Regional (3-1) and Norwin (3-0) in Section 2-3A play.

The rest of the top 10 in Class 3A included Seneca Valley at No. 2 followed by Butler, Pine-Richland, Baldwin, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin, Upper St. Clair and Penn-Trafford.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart bumped up one spot to No. 4 in Class 2A with a win over Hopewell (3-0) and a competitive loss to No. 3 South Fayette (3-1).

Hopewell, which bounced back to defeat Ambridge, 3-1, moved into the top 10 at No. 10.

Shaler, Seton LaSalle, South Fayette, OLSH and Thomas Jefferson lead the Class 2A poll followed by Derry, Trinity, Montour, Deer Lakes and Hopewell.

Each week throughout the season, all 45 boys volleyball head coaches will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for the top-10 rankings and also nominate players for each classification's players of the week.

Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association

Top 10 Coaches Polls — Week 5

Class 3A

1. North Allegheny (last week: 1)

2. Seneca Valley (2)

3. Butler (3)

4. Pine-Richland (4)

5. Baldwin (5)

6. Hempfield (8)

7. Mt. Lebanon (7)

8. Norwin (6)

9. Upper St. Clair (10)

10. Penn-Trafford (9)

Class 3A Players of the Week

Brayden Gremba, senior, right side, Baldwin

Landen Kalp, senior, setter, Hempfield

Aidan Chambers, junior, outside hitter, Upper St. Clair

Max Jarock, junior, outside hitter, North Hills

Class 2A

1. Shaler (last week: 1)

2. Seton LaSalle (2)

3. South Fayette (3)

4. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5)

5. Thomas Jefferson (4)

6. Derry (6)

7. Trinity (7)

8. Montour (8)

9. Deer Lakes (9)

10. Hopewell (NR)

Out: Ambridge (10)

Class 2A Players of the Week

Quinn LeRouix, senior, middle hitter, South Fayette

Christian Penn, senior, middle hitter, Steel Valley

Jake Pollick, senior, right side, Hopewell

Jake Lent, junior, outside hitter, Trinity

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.