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NORTH ALLEGHENY SPORTS NETWORK

The Official Source of North Allegheny Sports

NORTH ALLEGHENY VARSITY
BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

*WPIAL CHAMPIONS*

*SECTION CHAMPIONS*

Photo by Al Durick, Portraits Plus Studio

KOFMEHL NAMED TO ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM

Senior setter John Kofmehl was selected to the first team of the All-State team by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.  Senior opposite Brandon Cook was named to the second team while senior OH Steve Donaldson received honorable mention.

PENNSYLVANIA VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
ALL-STATE TEAMS

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PENNSBURY ENDS TIGERS' HOPES, 3-1

The Pennsbury Falcons defeated the Tigers, 3-1, in the PIAA quarterfinals at Shippensburg University on Saturday morning.  NA won the first game, 25-19, but Pennsbury came back to capture three straight.  Landisville Hempfield won the title with a three-game sweep of Pennsbury in the finals.  It was the fourth consecutive title for the Black Knights, the sixth in the last nine years.

The Tigers finished with a record of 19-2 overall and the WPIAL championship.  It was a great season for the Tiger seniors and coach Dan Schall.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TIGERS AND COACH SCHALL!

MATCH SUMMARY
PENNSBURY - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0'

FRIDAY'S ACTION

The Tigers dropped their first match in PIAA pool play to West Lawn Wilson, 2-1, but rallied to win seven consecutive games to advance to the PIAA quarterfinals.  NA needed a sweep of State College to move on and came through with a 3-0 victory by scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-18.

In the PIAA pool format, each match consists of three games for tie-breaker purposes even if one team wins the first two.  In the Tigers' first match, Wilson downed NA 25-18 and 25-22 in the first two games, but the Tigers came back for a 25-14 win in game three.  That victory was significant later.  In the second match, the Tigers disposed of Bishop Hoban in three straight, 25-19, 25-12, and 25-19.  After the Tigers beat State College, three teams were tied for first in Pool A.  NA had the tie-breaker by virtue of their 7-2 record.  State College and Wilson were tied for second at 6-3 with State College winning a one-game 15-10 victory to advance.

The Tigers will play Pennsbury this morning at 10:00 am.  The Falcons had been the top-ranked team in the state until they were upset in the District 1 championship.  Winners in this morning's quarterfinals will play at 12:30.  If the Tigers win, they will play the winner of the Ambridge-Christopher Dock match.  Two-time PIAA champion Hempfield is still alive in the other bracket.

The final match will be played at 3:00 pm at Heiges Fieldhouse at Shippensburg University.  The Pennsylvania Cable Network will broadcast the championship on a tape-delayed basis tomorrow afternoon beginning at 2:00 pm.  

2004 PIAA BOYS' VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Heiges Fieldhouse, Shippensburg University
June 4-5, 2004

PRELIMINARY ROUND - Friday, June 4
Top two teams advance to quarterfinals

* - won tiebreaker

QUARTERFINALS - Saturday, June 5 (10:00 am)

SEMIFINALS - Saturday, June 5 (12:30 pm)

FINALS - Saturday, June 5 (3:00 pm)

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TIGERS TOP AMBRIDGE, 3-0, FOR WPIAL TITLE

To listen to a replay of the match, click here!

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers took it to the Ambridge Bridgers at North Hills on Friday night as they won the WPIAL championship with a 3-0 victory.  WPIAL Co-MVP senior John Kofmehl directed a balanced NA attack as NA came from behind to win game one, 25-22.  It was all NA in games two and three as senior hitters Brandon Cook and Steve Donaldson dominated the Bridgers at the net in 25-19 and 25-18 victories.

Ambridge started strong blocking four consecutive NA attempts to give the Bridgers a 4-1 early lead.  In the early going, the play of seniors Dan Loaskie, Nate Berger, Josh Parisi and Co-MVP Jeff Sutton was instrumental in maintaining the advantage for the Bridgers as they built a 7-4 lead.  The Tigers stayed close, however, as senior MH Pat Mularkey and Cook registered kills to cut the margin to 8-7.  The teams exchanged points for most of the game with Ambridge hanging on to the lead.  Cook's block tied the score at 9-9, but a hitting error by NA and a kill by Sutton pushed it back to 11-9.  After Berger hit the back line to make it 14-11, the Tigers rallied again to tie the score.  A kill by senior MB Kyle Pelz and two hitting errors by Ambridge tied the score at 14-14.  After NA took its first lead of the game on a Bridger hitting error, Ambridge was able to jump back ahead again.  A kill by Loaskie down the line, a block by Loaskie and a kill by Burger pushed the margin to 20-18.  A kill by Pelz and another Ambridge hitting error tied the score before Pelz put NA back ahead with a blast down the middle.  After Ambridge tied the game at 21-21, the Tigers put it away with a 4-1 run.  After Sutton gave the Bridgers a 22-21 advantage, senior A.J. Hickcox tied the game at 22-22 with a strong hit off the blockers.  Cook's kill and a hitting error by Sutton gave NA a 24-22 lead, and Donaldson ended game one with a big hit to give the Tigers a 25-22 win.

In game two, it was NA jumping off to an early lead on hits by Cook and Pelz along with two hitting errors by Ambridge as the Tigers led 4-1.  Ambridge then went on a 6-0 run behind the serving of junior Sean States and the hitting of Parisi and Sutton.  The Tiger came back on kills by Cook and Mularkey to tie the game at 8-8 before senior DS Aaron Wynkoop served an ace to put NA ahead.  After a Burger kill tied the game at 11-11, the Tigers went ahead to stay.  Senior Will Jenkins came off the bench to lead an NA charge that gave the Tigers a 15-12 advantage.  Ambridge continued to stay close until the Tigers went on a 6-1 run to take control.  A kill by Donaldson, a tip by Kofmehl, a kill by Cook from the back row, a blast from Donaldson and a kill by Jenkins gave the Tigers a 23-18 lead.  Cook's hit off the Ambridge blockers finished the Bridgers in game two as NA won 25-19 to take a 2-0 lead going into game three.

The Tigers took control of the third game and never trailed as they built an early lead.  Kills by Cook, Donaldson and a block by Pelz put NA ahead 4-1 before Donaldson added two more kills to make it 6-3.  Kofmehl served three straight points, including an ace, as the lead increased to 9-4.  After Ambridge cut it to 9-6, Donaldson, Cook and Hickcox all had big hits to push the margin to 11-7.  Ambridge cut the lead to 12-10, but the Tigers scored four straight points, all on Bridger hitting errors, to extend the lead to 16-10.  A Donaldson block and two more Bridger hitting errors gave the Tigers a 19-13 advantage.  A Loaskie kill was matched by a Mularkey blast as NA maintained the advantage at 21-16.  Junior Mike Nypaver came in to serve an ace, and Cook registered another kill to maintain the lead at five, 23-18.  After both teams committed hitting errors, Cook drove one down the line to finish the game and match as NA won 25-18 to complete the three-game sweep.

The Tigers were led by Cook with 12 kills and Donaldson with 8, but the Tiger got contributions from a number of players in the team victory.  For his efforts, setter John Kofmehl was selected as the Player of the Match by the North Allegheny Sports Network.  The win gave the Tigers a perfect 17-0 season in dual match play on their way to the WPIAL title.  The Tiger defense was tough at the net making it difficult for Sutton to control play.  The Ambridge senior ended up with seven kills, far below his average.  The Tigers will play next in the PIAA championships at Shippensburg University on Friday and Saturday.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  AMBRIDGE - 0

TIGERS GAIN WPIAL HONORS

Three Tigers were selected to the WPIAL First Team All-Stars.  Setter John Kofmehl, Steve Donaldson, and Brandon Cook were chosen to the first team with Kofmehl sharing MVP honors with Jeff Sutton of Ambridge.  Senior Kyle Pelz was named to the second team while senior A.J. Hickcox was selected to the third teams.  We will list the All-WPIAL teams later.

FIVE TIGERS NAMED TO ALL-SECTION TEAM

Five Tiger seniors were selected to the All-Section 2 team.  Steve Donaldson, Brandon Cook, A.J. Hickcox, John Kofmehl, and Kyle Pelz were chosen by the coaches as members of the first team all-stars for the section.

WPIAL SECTION 2 ALL-STAR TEAM

WPIAL BOYS' VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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TIGERS CRUSH CENTRAL, 3-0, TO ADVANCE TO FINAL

To listen to a replay of the match, click here!

The Tigers gained a measure of revenge against Central Catholic as they defeated the Vikings, 3-0, in the semifinals of the WPIAL tournament on Tuesday night at Fox Chapel High School.  NA had been defeated by Central in the finals of two tournaments earlier in the year, but the Vikings were no match for the fired up Tigers.  NA won the first game, 25-12, outlasted the Vikings, 30-28, in the second, and finished the job with a 25-19 win in game three.

In game one, the Tigers started quickly with big hits by seniors  OH Steve Donaldson, MH Pat Mularkey and OH A.J. Hickcox leading the Tigers to a 6-3 early lead.  With Hickcox serving, senior MB Kyle Pelz and Donaldson continued to control the net as the Tigers increased the margin to 11-4.  Donaldson's two kills and a Mularkey smash on a quick set increased the lead to 15-6 as the Tigers controlled play.  The teams exchanged points as the score moved to 18-9.  Senior RS Brandon Cook went off the blockers and Pelz hammered one down the line to push the margin to 21-11.  Senior Will Jenkins came in to finish off game one with two jump serves with blocks by Donaldson and Pelz giving NA a 25-12 win in the first game.

In the second game, the Tigers jumped off to a quick 6-2 advantage behind the serving of senior setter John Kofmehl who served the first four points, including an ace.  Central mounted a comeback at this point relying on the hitting of seniors Adam McMahon and Chris Warman as the Vikings cut the margin to 6-5.  The teams exchanged points  with Cook and Warman doing most of the damage as NA still led at 12-11.  The Tigers went on to build a lead of 21-15 behind the hitting of Mularkey and Cook before Central rallied.   Two kills by McMahon along with a hitting error by NA brought the Vikings to within three at 21-18.  Kills by Donaldson and Cook, along with a hitting error by Central, put NA at game point, 24-20.  The Vikings regrouped, however, to score the next five points.  A dink by Trey Daerr, two mistakes by NA, and two kills by Warman gave the Vikings a 25-24 lead and game point.  A service error and a service ace by Cook put NA back in front, 26-25.  Warman tied the game only to see NA go back ahead on a service error.  NA then served the ball into the net and the game was tied at 27-27.  McMahon's block put Central ahead, 28-27, but on a second block attempt, McMahon hit it out of bounds to tie the game again.  Donaldson's kill gave NA the lead, and Central returned the ensuing serve wide as the Tigers held on for a 30-28 victory.

The third game was controlled by North Allegheny with Central desperately trying to get back in the contest.  An ace by Kofmehl, along with big hits from Cook and Mularkey, put NA ahead 5-2 in the early going.  After a Warman hit cut the lead to 6-5, Cook blocked for a point and the serve.  Cook was able to use his jump serve to pile up five straight points with Hickcox, Pelz and Kofmehl earning kills during the run the put NA ahead, 12-5..  The Tigers were able to extend the lead to 18-11 with Jenkins, Donaldson, and Cook all contributing.  Kofmehl served two aces during an 8-2 NA run.  After the Tigers pushed the margin to 21-14, Pelz scored on a block and blast to make it 23-14.  Central put on a final run but Pelz was able to drive two balls down the middle to give the Tigers a 25-19 victory and the game and match.

It was a good team effort by the Tigers.  Kofmehl orchestrated a balanced NA attack utilizing all of his hitters.  Donaldson early, Cook Mularkey, Hickcox, and Pelz all contributed to the win.  For his efforts in the middle, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Kyle Pelz as the Player of the Match.  With the win, the Tigers move on to the WPIAL championship against Ambridge, a 3-0 winner over Norwin.  The title match will be held on Friday night at North Hills High School with the starting time scheduled for 8:00 pm.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:50 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  CENTRAL CATHOLIC - 0

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TIGERS HOLD OFF DERRY, 3-1

To listen to a replay of the match, click here!

The Tigers had their hands full with an inspired Derry team on Thursday night at the Senior High gym but came through with a hard-earned 3-1 victory in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL tournament.  After Derry won the first game, 25-23, the Tigers came back to win the next two, 25-22 and 25-14.  In the fourth game, the Trojans had a 24-22 lead, but the Tigers scored four straight points with senior OH Steve Donaldson blasting the game winner.

In game one, Derry took the lead early.  After a 4-4 tie, the Trojans used the setting and hitting of senior setter Dewey Schmitt to push the lead to 8-4.  After senior OH A.J. Hickcox cut the advantage to 8-5, two hitting errors and a Schmitt block pushed the lead to 11-5.  Trailing 13-8, the Tigers rallied.  Senior Brandon Cook picked up three quick kills as NA cut the margin to 15-12.  Cook used his jump serve to get NA closer as he posted an ace, forced a hitting error, and used a left handed tip by senior setter John Kofmehl as NA tied the game at 16-16.  At this point, Derry coach Rich Schall called a time out.  Derry responded, building a 20-17 advantage.  After a serve into the net by Derry and a hit by Donaldson cut the lead to 20-19, the Tigers jumped ahead 22-21 on a big hit by senior Pat Mularkey off a quick set and a blast by Cook off the Trojan blockers.  Senior Chris Van Essen stepped up for Derry to tie the game, but a cross court smash by Cook put NA ahead, 23-22.  Derry closed out game one on a Van Essen kill, an NA hitting error, and a service ace by senior DS Ben Hull.

In game two, it was North Allegheny that took control after an early Derry lead.  Trailing 4-1, NA scored seven straight points.  After a Derry service error, senior Will Jenkins took over the serve.  Two service aces, a kill by Donaldson, and a kill by Jenkins from the back row highlighted the run.  The teams exchanged points over the next several minutes with NA continuing to hold the four-point lead at 14-10.  After Cook picked up a kill on another cross-court hit, the Tiger senior used the jump serve for an ace to push it to 16-10.  Schmitt led a Derry rally but senior Kyle Pelz answered to keep the lead at four at 18-14.  Derry continued to battle, however, and finally tied the score at 20-20 as NA was guilty of hitting errors.  Mularkey put NA back on top, 21-20, and a hitting error pushed to margin to 22-20 before senior Ryan Poole's kill brought Derry back to within one.  Kills by Pelz and Jenkins, along with a winning serve by Jenkins, gave NA a 25-22 victory in game two.

The Tigers dominated game three.  NA built an 8-4 lead in the early going behind the hitting of Pelz, Kofmehl, Mularkey, and Cook.  Derry kept it close until hits by Cook, Kofmehl and another ace by Cook pushed the margin to 14-8.  With NA up 17-10, senior DS Aaron Wynkoop served four straight points, including an ace, as the Tiger lead went to 21-11.  Kills by Mularkey and Cook increased the lead to 24-14, and Cook finished it off with a block for game point as NA moved ahead, 2-1, on the 25-14 victory.

Game four was a classic.  The Tigers seemingly had things under control moving out to an 8-3 early lead.  Jenkins, Pelz, and Donaldson were strong at the net as the Tigers jumped ahead.  At this point Derry began a gradual comeback.  Several NA hitting errors, along with a block by Poole cut the lead to 12-11.  After Derry tied the game at 13-13, Pelz went cross-court to give NA a 14-13 lead.   The score remained tied as the teams exchanged points until a service ace by junior Eric Pennesi put Derry ahead 17-16.  The Trojans pushed the lead to 19-16 before a Tiger rally, led by Mularkey and Cook, tied the game at 19-19.  NA surged ahead, 21-20, as Cook again went cross court.  Derry then went on a 4-1 run to move to game point at 24-22.  The Tigers were not to be denied, however, as Pelz' kill cut the lead to 24-23.  A hitting error by Derry tied the game at 24-24, before Pelz again stepped up to give NA a 25-24 advantage.  Donaldson ended the game and the match with a strong hit down the middle as the Tigers won game four, 26-24, and the match, three games to one.

It was a great performance by Derry in the last game coached by Derry mentor Rich Schall, father of NA coach Dan Schall.  With the victory, the Tigers will move on to the semifinals where they will meet Central Catholic, a 3-2 winner over Deer Lakes.  The game will be played on Tuesday night at Fox Chapel with match time set for 7:00 pm.  For his efforts representing a great team performance, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Steve Donaldson as the Player of the Match.  

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  DERRY AREA - 1

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CENTRAL CATHOLIC NIPS NA, 25-22, IN FINAL OF LEBO TOURNAMENT

The Tigers rolled through pool play at the Mt. Lebanon Invitational Tournament on Saturday finishing first in the first round and second round pools.  NA downed Ambridge, 25-23, in the semifinals, but fell to Central Catholic, 25-22, in the championship final.

The Tigers will host Derry onThursday night in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL tournament.  Match time is set for 7:00 pm at the Senior High gym.  The match will be broadcast LIVE on the internet by the North Allegheny Sports Network beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 pm.

10TH ANNUAL MT. LEBANON INVITATIONAL
Saturday, May 15, 2004

FIRST ROUND POOLS

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

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TIGERS COMPLETE UNDEFEATED SEASON

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers defeated North Hills, 3-0, at the Senior High gym on Thursday night to finish the regular season undefeated.  NA won the first game, 25-18, and went on to down the Indians 25-11 and 25-16 in the second and third games.

NA is the Section 2 champion with a 12-0 mark, their overall record standing at 14-0.  The Tigers will compete in the Mt. Lebanon Invitational tomorrow in preparation for the WPIAL playoffs next week.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  NORTH HILLS - 0

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AMBRIDGE FALLS TO TIGERS, 3-1

The Tigers stepped out of section play on Wednesday night when they traveled to Ambridge and defeated the third-ranked Bridgers, 3-1.  After NA won the first game, 25-16, Ambridge came back to win game two, 25-23.  The Tigers then regrouped to win games two and three by scores of 25-21 and 25-18 respectively.

With the temperature at 90 degrees in the gym, both teams showed determination and spirit particularly in the fourth game.  Leading the Tigers were senior Brandon Cook and Kyle Pelz who were outstanding at the net.  Junior reserves Adam Rector and Dan Osterrieder did a good job filling in for injured senior Pat Mularkey.  In the back room, seniors Aaron Wynkoop, Mike Petrasek and Ian Fitzpatrick came through with good defensive plays.

With the win, the Tigers improved their overall record to 13-0 on the season but not without a battle from the Bridgers.  All in all, it was a fitting preliminary to playoff action that will begin next week.  The Tigers will close out the regular season tonight when they host North Hills in the section finale.  

(Thanks to Janet Cook for info in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  AMBRIDGE - 1

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TIGERS STAY UNBEATEN WITH 3-0 WIN OVER SHALER

After edging Shaler , 25-23, in the first game, the Tigers went on to convincing victories in games two and three as they defeated the Titans, 25-12, and 25-17.  With the victory, the Tigers improved their section record to 11-0, their overall mark to 12-0.  NA has already clinched first place in the section and a playoff spot as the WPIAL Playoffs will begin next week.

The Tigers will travel to Ambridge tonight to meet the Bridgers in a 7:00 pm non-section match.  Tomorrow night, NA will close out section play when they host rival North Hills at the Senior High gym.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SHALER AREA - 0

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TIGERS CRUSH SENECA VALLEY, 3-0

To listen to a replay of the match, click here!

The Tigers dominated Seneca Valley at the Senior High gym on Thursday night as they defeated the Raiders, 3-0.  The Tigers controlled the net behind the play of seniors Steve Donaldson, A.J. Hickcox, Brandon Cook, Pat Mularkey, Kyle Pelz and Will Jenkins as the Tigers won the first game, 25-11, and never looked back.  Game two went to NA, 25-18, and game three, 25-9.  Senior John Kofmehl was on target again for the Tigers as he ran the NA offense.  Coupled with a Deer Lakes loss to Fox Chapel, the Tigers claimed the section title.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped off to a 6-2 lead early with Donaldson and Hickcox doing most of the damage.  After Seneca cut the lead to 6-4, NA went on a 9-1 run to extend the margin to 15-5.  A kill by Cook, a dink from Hickcox, a kill by Pelz, a roof by Cook at the net, and a blast from Pelz on a quick set gave the Tigers a commanding lead.  The Tigers continued to increase the margin as Donaldson, senior Pete Madia and senior Aaron Wynkoop all recorded serving aces to push the advantage to 19-7.  After a Mularkey kill made it 20-8, Scott, Donaldson, and Jenkins kept the hits coming with Pelz finally putting the Raiders away with a block as NA won the first game, 25-11.

Seneca Valley stayed close for most of the second game.  An ace from Kofmehl and two big hits from Donaldson and junior Adam Rector gave NA an early 3-1 advantage.  The teams exchanged points before Cook's kill pushed the NA margin to 10-7.  Seniors Mike Coyne and Mike Eisenhuth stepped up for Seneca in the early going to keep the Raiders in the game.  After a kill by senior Steve Knight cut the lead to 10-9, the Tigers went on a 6-2 run.  Cook had a block and two kills, Jenkins added a kill and Seneca committed several hitting errors during the run as NA took a 16-11 lead.  Eisenhuth and Coyne sparked another SV rally to cut the lead to 16-13 before Rector and junior Nick Overbaugh recorded kills to push the lead to 20-16.  The Tigers finally took control with a 5-2 run to win the game.  It was Overbaugh with a pair of kills and juniors Josh Leroux and Dan Osterrieder adding single kills before Cook ended the game with a big blast as NA won game two, 25-18.

The third game was all North Allegheny.  Mularkey came up big in the early going with three kills and a block as NA built a 7-2 lead.  Junior Derick Schmidt came off the Tiger bench and sparked the NA team with his enthusiastic play.  Schmidt served seven straight points, including an ace,  and made several diving digs as the Tigers increased the margin to 13-4.  Coach Dan Schall used most of his bench during the third game and they came up big.  Kills by junior Steve Nicola, Leroux, and Pelz in the middle pushed the margin to 17-6.  Junior Mike Nypaver went in and served an ace, and junior Steve Westhead served three consecutive points as the Tiger lead went to 21-7.  After an Overbaugh kill made it 22-8, junior setter Shane Conley served three straight points, including an ace, before Overbaugh ended the night for the Raiders with a smash off the Seneca blockers as NA dominated game three, 25-9.

It was an impressive team performance for the Tigers as they won their tenth straight section match.  The North Allegheny Sports Network selected Steve Donaldson as the Player of the Game for his work in games one and two.  The win improved the NA section record to 10-0, 11-0 overall, and clinched the section title for the Tigers who have already qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.  The Tigers will travel to Shaler on Tuesday to meet the Titans in a 7:00 pm section match.

JV NOTES:  The Tiger JV team avenged an earlier loss to Seneca Valley by handing the Raider JV its first loss, 2-1, in the preliminary match.  NA has lost just once in section play.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SENECA VALLEY - 0

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TIGERS SWEEP DEER LAKES, 3-0, TO OPEN A TWO-GAME LEAD IN SECTION

In a hard fought match at Deer Lakes on Tuesday night, the Tigers defeated the Lancers in three straight games.  In the first game, NA prevailed, 27-25, and followed with 25-21 and 25-18 wins to complete the sweep.  Senior hitters Kyle Pelz and Pat Mularkey were strong at the net and led NA to the victory.

The win improved the NA record to 9-0 in section play while Deer Lakes fell to 8-2.  The Tigers will return home on Thursday night when they will host the Seneca Valley Raiders.  NA defeated Seneca, 3-0, earlier in the season.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  DEER LAKES - 0

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COOK LEADS TIGERS OVER FOX CHAPEL, 3-0

Led by senior RS Brandon Cook, the Tigers won three straight over Fox Chapel at the Senior High gym on Thursday night.  Cook had twelve kills and three service aces as NA won 25-9, 25-20, and 25-18.  Senior Mike Petrasek used his drop floater from the serving line to pick up additional points on serve for the Tigers.

The NA offense was in high gear against the Foxes led once again by senior setter John Kofmehl.  Senior hitters Steve Donaldson, A.J. Hickcox, Kyle Pelz, Pat Mularkey and Will Jenkins controlled the net as the Tigers improved their section record to 8-0, the overall mark to 9-0.  Seniors Aaron Wynkoop and Petrasek aided the offensive cause with good passing.

The Tigers will be in action again on Tuesday night when they travel to Deer Lakes to take on the second-place Lancers.  NA defeated Deer Lakes at home earlier in the season, 3-0, in three close games.  Match time is set for 7:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  FOX CHAPEL - 0

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TIGERS POUND DERRY, 3-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers proved to be too tough for his father's team, the Derry Area Trojans, as NA defeated Derry, 3-0, at the Senior High gym on Wednesday night.  Senior setter John Kofmehl was on target for his big hitters as the Tigers controlled the net for most of the evening.  Seniors Steve Donaldson, Pat Mularkey, Brandon Cook, A.J. Hickcox, Kyle Pelz, and Will Jenkins were able to operate the Tiger offense efficiently as NA won 25-16, 25-17, and 25-19.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped off to a quick 6-0 lead.  After a kill by Cook, it was Donaldson serving five straight points, including a pair of aces.  Several Derry mistakes allowed the Tigers to build an 8-2 lead.  Derry mounted a rally at this point, eventually tying the game at 11-11.  Leading the Trojan charge were senior setter Dewey Schmitt and 6-5 senior MH Chris Van Essen.  The Tigers came back to score five straight behind the serving of Donaldson with Mularkey picking up a pair of kills as NA gained a 16-11 advantage.  After kills by Van Essen and senior Pat Tunstall, Cook blocked for a point, senior Mike Petrasek served an ace, and the Trojans committed several hitting errors as the NA lead went to 20-13.  After a kill by Pelz, Jenkins took over.  The Tiger senior served a pair of points and got the game winner with a dink over the Derry blockers as NA won game one, 25-16.

With NA leading 5-4, the Tiger offense went into high gear.  A kill by Cook, another by Donaldson, a tip by Kofmehl, a block by Mularkey, and a service ace by senior Ian Fitzpatrick paced an 8-1 NA run that gave the Tigers a 13-5 advantage.  Schmitt scored on a block and push to lead a brief Derry rally that cut the lead to 13-9.  The teams exchanged points with Donaldson picking up a kill down the middle and Mularkey a block as the score went to 17-12.  Pelz and Jenkins picked up blocks as NA pushed the advantage to 19-14.  The Tigers finished off Derry with a 6-2 run, with Cook and Kofmehl both picking up points on dinks, and the Tiger bench doing the rest of the damage.  Junior Nick Overbaugh picked up two straight kills and junior Adam Rector got the game winner as the Tigers won game two, 25-17.

The Tigers built a 7-3 lead at the outset of game three.  Donaldson started things off with a big hit, with Cook and Hickcox following.  After Van Essen scored on a pair of kills, Cook and Hickcox came back with big hits and Fitzpatrick served an ace during the run.  Cook's blast down the middle made it 8-4, and kills by Pelz and Hickcox pushed the margin to 10-5.  Pelz and Van Essen then matched kills before Rector, Donaldson and Kofmehl were able to find open spaces in the Derry defense as the Tiger lead went to 14-9.  At this point in the game, both coaches decided to utilize the bench.  Junior Steve Nicola scored off the blockers and Overbaugh picked up a kill as the score went to 17-13.  After an NA misplay, Kofmehl displayed his skills as the net with both left and right hand dumps to pick up points as NA pushed the lead to 19-16.  After a pair of NA hitting errors cut the lead to 20-18, a 5-1 run put away the third game.  Nicola picked up a kill, the Trojans committed a hitting error, Pelz earned a kill, and Hickcox finished off Derry with a big hit as NA won the third game, 25-19.

It was a good team performance by the Tigers with Kofmehl directing the attack.  For his efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected John Kofmehl as the Player of the Match.  With the win, the Tigers extended their unbeaten streak to eight.  NA will host Fox Chapel tonight at the Senior High gym with match time scheduled for 7:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  DERRY AREA - 0

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TIGERS BEAT PENN HILLS TO WIN PLUM INVITATIONAL

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers outpointed Penn Hills, 30-17, to win the Plum Invitational on Saturday at Plum High School.  The Tigers knocked off Ambridge, 30-21, in the quarterfinals and Deer Lakes, 30-26, in the semis to advance to the final.  

In early pool play, the Tigers defeated Spring Grove twice and split with Montour and finished first.  All first place teams play one game of 25 against each other.  The Tigers defeated Penn Hills and Lake Lehman, but lost to Central and Deer Lakes.  With three teams tied at two wins and two losses, seeding was decided on points against.  NA finished second overall going into the playoffs.

The Tigers struggled early in the tournament but were able to put it together when it counted with a strong team performance for the tournament victory.  NA will host Derry at home on Wednesday and Fox Chapel on Thursday.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will broadcast the Derry match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

PLUM INVITATIONAL
Saturday, April 24, 2004

(Thanks to Janet Cook for information in this report!)

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SUMMIT ACADEMY NO MATCH FOR TIGERS, 3-0

The Tigers increased their winning streak to seven as they crushed Summit Academy, 3-0, at the Senior High gym on Thursday night.  NA won the first game, 25-8, the second, 25-5, and finished off the Knights with a 25-3 win in game three.  Coach Dan Schall was able to substitute liberally in the easy victory.

Off the NA bench to lead the way were junior outside hitter Josh Leroux and junior DS Derick Schmidt.  The Tigers will be back in action again tomorrow when they travel to Plum High School for the Plum Invitational.  Matches will begin at 8:30 am.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SUMMIT ACADEMY - 0

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WPIAL SECTION 2 STANDINGS
FINAL STANDINGS
as of 5/14/04

WPIAL COACHES' POLL
as of 5/11/04

PVCA RANKINGS (PIAA)
as of 5/20/04

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WPIAL BOYS' VOLLEYBALL - 2004

The Tigers will compete for the WPIAL Championship, along with 35 other teams in 2004.  The top three teams and ties for third place will enter the team championships set to begin on Mary 18, 2004.  Ties for first place will not be broken.  Teams tied for first place will be declared section co-champions.  Both will receive a plaque and both will enter the tournament.  The third playoff entry will be the runner up to the co-champions.  If two teams tie for the third playoff entry, but one of the teams has lost both head to head section contests, that team will not enter the tournament round.  If multiple teams tie for the third playoff entry, that tie will be broken in the following manner:

a.  Section won-lost records of all the tied teams will be compiled.
b.  The team with the best numerical record among the tied teams will enter post-season play.
c.  If the tie cannot be clearly broken, all will enter post-season play.

All matches will be played in the best of five game format.  The top three teams will represent the WPIAL at the PIAA Championships.  The championships will be held on June 4 and 5, 2004, at Shippensburg State University.

WPIAL SECTION ALIGNMENT

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org