Welcome to the
NORTH ALLEGHENY SPORTS NETWORK

The Official Source of North Allegheny Sports

NORTH ALLEGHENY VARSITY BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

* MATCH SUMMARIES *

TIGERS MAKE DERRY LATEST VICTIM, 3-0

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers traveled to Derry on Thursday night and came home with a 3-0 victory.  NA took game one, 25-18, won the second game, 25-20, and put Derry away with a 25-18 win in the third and final game.  

Senior OH Nick Overbaugh led the way with 12 kills, 8 perfect passes to target, four blocks and three digs.  Senior MH Dan Osterrieder recorded 11 kills while senior setter Shane Conley had 4 kills and five assists.  Senior MH Adam Rector added three kills and two blocks.  Senior OH Mike Nypaver registered seven perfect passes and 2 digs, senior OH Chad King posted 6 perfect passes and 2 digs, and senior DS Derick Schmidt had 5 perfect passes and 4 digs. 

The win kept NA undefeated as they won their eighth consecutive match without a loss.  The Tigers will travel to Plum tomorrow for the Plum Invitational.  Action is scheduled to get underway at 9:00 am.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the statistics used in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  DERRY - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PENN HILLS FALLS TO TIGERS, 3-0

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

The Tigers shut out an inspired Penn Hills team, 3-0, at the Senior High gym on Wednesday night.  Strong play at the net by seniors Adam Rector, Nick Overbaugh, and Dan Osterrieder paced NA to their seventh consecutive victory.  The Tigers defeated the Indians, 25-19, in game one, held off a Penn Hills rally, 25-21, in game two and came from behind to win the third and final game, 25-20.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped off to a 4-1 lead behind a kill and service ace by senior OH Mike Nypaver.  After Penn Hills got a kill from junior Jerrod Foster, a Tiger misplay cut the lead to 4-3.  Kills by Osterrieder and Rector pushed the margin to 6-4 but Penn Hills came back on strong hits by senior Alan Mathieu and junior Eric Hammill to tie the score at 6-6.  The teams continued to exchange points, but Penn Hills took a 13-10 lead with 6-6 senior MH Gerald Warwick and Jerrod Foster doing most of the damage.  At this point, the Tigers regrouped.  A kill by senior setter Steve Nicola, a left-handed tip by Nicola and a kill by Rector brought the Tigers even at 14-14.  Two straight kills by Overbaugh put NA ahead for good as they extended the led to 19-14.  After Penn Hills scored a pair of points to cut the margin to 19-16, an Indian misplay and an ace by Overbaugh pushed the lead to 22-16.  With NA ahead 23-18, senior opposite Kevin Moskal put away a big kill, and Osterrieder finished off the Indians with a good swing at a Penn Hills overpass.  The Tigers won game one, 25-19.  NA got outstanding sets from Nicola and great play in the back from senior DS Derick Schmidt who made several diving digs to save points.

The Tigers jumped off to a quick 5-1 lead in game two, as it looked like Penn Hills was still not over the first game.  Three Indians hitting errors along with kills by Osterrieder and Overbaugh accounted for the lead.  A kill by Rector, along with a cross-court hit by senior Shane Conley pushed the NA advantage to 10-4.  At this point, Penn Hills regrouped and rallied.  Strong hitting by Mathieu and Warrick brought the Indians back to within one point at 11-10.  The Tigers then ran off five straight points, including an ace by Nypaver and a block by Osterrieder, to push the lead to 15-10.  With the Tigers up 16-11, Penn Hills went on a run of 7-2 to cut the lead to 18-16.  Rector had two kills to account for the only two NA points.  After a kill by Osterrieder and a net violation by Penn Hills made it 20-17, a kill by junior Brian Jones and a hitting error by NA cut the lead to 20-19.  Nicola dropped in a dink but Warrick answered to make it 21-20.  Two kills by Overbaugh extended the margin to 23-20 before Jerrod Foster answered to make it 23-21.  A kill by Rector and a blast by Overbaugh off the Penn Hills blockers ended game two with the Tigers coming away with a tough 25-21 victory.

In the third game, Penn Hills got off to a 5-2 lead behind kills by Warrick, Jerrod Foster and Mathieu.  The Tigers came back to cut it to one at 7-6 as Nicola served an ace and Rector picked up another kill.  Two kills by Warrick, another by Jones, and several hitting errors by the Tigers extended the Penn Hills advantage to 11-8.  Penn Hills then made served hitting errors before Foster scored off the NA blockers to keep PH ahead 12-11.  The teams exchanged points with Rector and Overbaugh picking up kills as the Tigers tied the score at 13-13.  With Overbaugh serving, Rector scored with two kills as NA took a 16-13 lead.  Jones and Warrick led a Penn Hills comeback to cut the NA lead to 17-16 before a service error ended the rally.  After Foster recorded a kill, Warrick went off the NA blockers again to tie the score at 18-18.  Down the stretch, the Tigers again took over scoring seven of the last nine points.  Another service error, a block by Osterrieder and a kill by Overbaugh put the Tigers on top, 21-18.  Two hitting errors by Penn Hills and a block by Osterrieder and Nicola brought the Tigers to game and match point.  Warrick's dink kept the Indians alive, but Nypaver ended the game and the match with a hit off the Penn Hills blockers.  The Tigers won game three, 25-20, and the match, three games to none.

Penn Hills aggressive play kept them in the match for most of the evening.  When the games were on the line, however, the Tigers' composure  allowed them to take control.  It was a game of service errors as both teams had trouble serving the ball throughout the match.  For his work at the net, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Adam Rector as the Player of the Match.

The Tigers will travel to Derry tonight for another non-section match.  The scheduled starting time is set for 7:00 pm.  On Saturday, the Tigers will travel to Plum for the Plum Invitational with the starting time for the tournament set for 9:00 am.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PENN HILLS - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS SHUT OUT NORTH HILLS, 3-0

The Tigers remained unbeaten after the first half of section play as they defeated North Hills, 3-0, at North Hills on Tuesday night.  The Tigers won the first game, 25-11, game two, 25-15, and the third and final game, 25-15.

Senior setter Shane Conley led the way for the Tigers with  21 assists and 2 service aces.  Senior MH Dan Osterrieder had eight kills and two blocks, senior OH Nick Overbaugh had 8 kills while junior OH Russ Hoburg posted six kills and senior MB Adam Rector recorded six kills.  Senior setter Steve Nicola had 15 assists for the winning Tigers.

The victory gave NA a section record of 5-0, an overall mark of 6-0 on the season.  The Tigers will host #6 Penn Hills tonight in a non-section match at the Senior High gym.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  The match will be taped by NATV for a later showing.  The scheduled starting time for tonight's match is 7:00 pm.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the statistics used in this report!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS FINISH THIRD IN KOLLER CLASSIC AT CENTRAL YORK

The Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the Koller Classic at Central York on Saturday but were defeated by Penn Manor, 25-18.  In the playoffs, NA defeated Penn Hills, 25-16, in the first round, and Central York, 25-20, in the second round.  The Tigers finished in a tie for first place in pool play with a 7-1 record.

Finishing with a 9-2 overall mark in the tournament, the Tigers were led by senior Nick Overbaugh who had 35 kills, 32 perfect passes to target, 14 digs, and 5 service aces.  Senior MH Dan Osterrieder posted 29 kills and 5 blocks, while senior OH Mike Nypaver had 8 kills and nine PPT.  Senior setter Shane Conley was busy with 189 assists, 22 digs, and four service aces.  Senior Chad King recorded 21 perfect passes and 20 digs, senior DS Derick Schmidt had 13 perfect passes and 13 digs, and senior setter Steve Nicola posted 97 assists and 15 digs.  Senior OH Josh Leroux led with six service aces and had 12 digs.

Four Tigers were named to the All-Tournament Team.  Senior Derick Schmidt was named for defense, seniors Nick Overbaugh and Mike Nypaver, left side, and senior Dan Osterrieder, middle hitter blocker.

The Tigers will return to action again on Tuesday night when they travel to North Hills for a section contest.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

KOLLER CLASSIC VARSITY TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 16, 2005

PLAYOFF ROUND

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS TAKE TOP SPOT WITH 3-0 VICTORY OVER BUTLER

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

The Tigers knocked off previously unbeaten Butler, 3-0, at the Senior High gym on Thursday night to take over undisputed possession of first place in Section 2.  The Tiger front line dominated the smaller Tornado with seniors Dan Osterrieder, Nick Overbaugh, and Chris McKim doing most of the damage from the accurate sets of Shane Conley and Steve Nicola.  NA took the first game, 25-18, fought off a Butler challenge in game two, 25-21, and overwhelmed the Tornado, 25-8 in the final game.

In the first game, the teams battled on even terms early with Butler tying the score at 3-3.  A blast by Overbaugh off the Butler blockers gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead, and they never trailed.  A tip by Conley, a kill by senior Mike Nypaver, and a Butler net violation sparked an NA run that pushed the lead to 9-4.  Butler rallied behind the jump serving of senior DS Zack Wilms to cut the margin to 11-8.  Two NA net violations brought the Tornado to within one at 11-10 but they could get no closer.  A kill by Osterrieder and an ace by senior OH Josh Leroux, and a kill by senior MB Adam Rector pushed the lead back to 16-11.  A block by Overbaugh and a kill by senior opposite Kevin Moskal extended the margin to 18-11.  After two Butler points, a kill by Overbaugh and a block by McKim and Overbaugh made it 20-13.  with the Tigers ahead 22-15, Erdos picked up a kill for the Tornado but McKim answered to make it 23-17.  With the Tigers up 24-18, Osterrieder put the Tornado away with a big hit as the NA took game one, 25-18.

In game two, Kills by Osterrieder and Rector kept the Tigers even at 3-3 early before NA went on a 6-2 run.  Kills by McKim and Conley, along with an ace by Overbaugh led the Tiger surge.  Butler came back to score 6 of the next seven points to take an 11-10 lead with Wilms serving four straight points including an ace.  The lead see-sawed back and forth at this point.  Junior MB Chris Falbo's tip put Butler ahead, 12-11, but Osterrieder answered with a cross-court hit.  After a Tiger hitting error, Falbo made it 14-12 with a kill on an NA overpass.  NA came back with a kill by Osterrieder and a block by Overbaugh and McKim to tie the game at 14.  After Butler took the lead at 16-15, Conley's cross court hit tied the game again.  NA then went on a 6-1 run to seemingly gain control of the contest.  McKim picked up two kills and Overbaugh served a pair of aces to put NA on top by a 22-17 count.  Butler regrouped, however, again behind the serving of Wilms.  A kill by junior MH Devin Koerhring, a block by junior setter Shawn Vincent, a kill by Falbo, and a dink by Vincent brought the Tornado within one at 22-21.  After a time out by Tiger head coach Dan Schall, NA wasted no time in regaining the momentum and winning the game.  A kill by Osterrieder off the Tornado blockers and an ace by Conley made it 24-21.  Once again, Osterrieder put Butler away, this time with a kill on a Tornado overpass.  The Tigers won game two, 25-21, and took a 2-0 advantage.

The Tornado seemed to lose their focus at the beginning of the third game as the Tigers sprinted off to a 9-0 lead.  Kills by Rector and Osterrieder, along with three Butler hitting errors, put the Tigers ahead, 5-0, and forced Butler coach Lew Liparulo to take a time out.  NA would not be denied at this point at Osterrieder posted a kill, Overbaugh scored on a dink, Osterrieder and Rector combined on a block and Butler committed a hitting error.  Senior OH Rick Gonzalez finally ended the NA run to put Butler on the board.  The Tigers then went on a run of 5-1 to extend the lead to 14-2.  Two kills by Overbaugh, a kill by McKim and a blast by Overbaugh off the Butler blockers highlighted the run.  After Wilms scored off the NA blockers, the Tigers scored the next six points to take a commanding 20-3 lead.  Again it was Overbaugh with a kill and an ace with Moskal adding a point on a block to pace the Tigers.  After Erdos scored for Butler, juniors Brett Alexander and Russ Hoburg blocked for a point, and senior Steve Westhead served an ace to make it 23-4.  Hoburg's left handed tip made it 24-5 before Butler scored three straight points.  Junior Anthony Cerilli ended the game and match with a block to give the Tigers a 25-8 victory.

Butler played well at times and challenged the Tigers, particularly in game two.  When the games were on the line, however, NA was able to turn up the pressure and control play.  For his efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Chris McKim as the Player of the Match.  Statistically, Osterrieder had 11 kills and 3 blocks with McKim adding eight kills and Moskal 2 blocks.  Overbaugh recorded seven kills, 5 perfect passes to target, and five service aces.  The Tigers had eight service aces in the match.

The win improved the NA section record to 4-0, the overall mark to 5-0.  The Tigers will travel to York, PA, on Saturday to participate in the Central York Invitational Tournament.  Action is scheduled to get underway at 9:00 am.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the statistics used in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  BUTLER - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SENECA VALLEY NO MATCH FOR TIGERS IN 3-0 SHUTOUT

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

The Tigers dominated the net and controlled play in a 3-0 victory over Seneca Valley at the Senior High gym on Tuesday night.  Strong hitting by seniors Dan Osterrieder, Nick Overbaugh and Chris McKim kept the Raiders off balance all night as the Tigers won game one, 25-7, game two, 25-17, and the final game, 25-10.  

The Tigers jumped off to an early lead in game one and never looked back.  Osterrieder picked up two quick kills, senior Shane Conley served an ace, and Osterrieder added another kill on a quick set to give the Tigers an early 4-0 lead.  The Raiders came back to score twice, but the Tigers continued to work the net with kills by Osterrieder, senior Adam Rector, and McKim to extend the margin to 8-3.  With the score at 9-4, Overbaugh put his powerful jump serve into action and scored ten of the next 11 points, two on service aces.  During the run, McKim recorded three kills, Osterrieder added another kill, and Conley and Osterrieder combined on a block as the lead ballooned to 18-5.  Down the stretch, NA outscored the Raiders, 7-2 to finish off the victory.  A kill and an ace by Conley, a kill by senior Mike Nypaver, another kill by Osterrieder, and an ace by senior Josh Leroux set the stage for senior Kevin Moskal to pick up the game winner in a 25-7 win.

The second game saw Seneca Valley stay close in the early going as they cut the lead to 5-4.  A cross-court kill by Overbaugh, along with two kills and a block by Osterrieder helped the Tigers  increase the lead to 12-7.  After Leroux put back a Seneca overpass, the Raiders rallied behind a kill from sophomore Justin Hoffman and a service ace by sophomore Dan Follett.  With NA leading 13-10, the Tigers went on a 6-1 run to take control.  A kill by Leroux, three straight kills by Overbaugh, and two Seneca misplays pushed the NA lead to 19-11.  Two more kills by Overbaugh and an answer by sophomore MH Adam Beebe made it a 21-14 NA advantage.  Overbaugh served another ace and McKim scored on a block to put the Tigers at game point, 24-17.  Osterrieder scored on a cross-court hit off a slide to give the Tigers a 25-17 victory in game two.

In game three, Coach Dan Schall went to his bench, and the juniors came through with a win.  Conley started serving for the Tigers and quickly picked up four straight points, including an ace.  After Leroux served another ace, junior MH Russ Hoburg scored on a block, Osterrieder and Overbaugh combined on a block and Hoburg recorded his second block of the game as the Tigers increased the margin to 8-1.  After the Raiders scored two straight, junior MB Kevin Vater picked points on a block and a kill to make it a 12-5 game.  Hoburg then took over with a block on an overpass, and another block and a kill to push the lead to 16-6.  Junior Brian Block made his presence felt with a pair of kills and a block to go with a service ace by junior  Anthony Cerilli as the lead increased to 20-7.  The Raiders came back with a pair of points before junior setter Nate Zunic's kill made it 22-10.  A carry on Seneca and a block by Zunic and Vater put the Tigers at game and match point.  Vater put away the game and the match with a kill as the Tigers won game three, 25-10.

It was a dominating performance by the Tigers as Seneca Valley was never in the match.  For his performance at the net and behind the serving line, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Nick Overbaugh as the Player of the Match.  Statistically, Overbaugh had 8 kills, 5 perfect passes, and 4 service aces.  Osterrieder posted 10 kills, Hoburg six, and McKim five.  King had six perfect passes with Nypaver added five PPT.  Rector had three service aces as the Tigers had 12 service aces in the match.

The victory kept NA undefeated with their section record improving to 3-0, the overall mark to 4-0.  The Tigers will host Butler tomorrow night at the Senior High gym in a section match.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the statistics used in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SENECA VALLEY - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BEAT PLUM FOR DERRY INVITATIONAL TITLE

The Tigers won their second tournament of the young season with a 2-0 victory over Plum in the Derry Invitational final on Saturday.  NA won the first game 25-15 and put the Mustangs away, 25-16, in the second game to take the trophy.  In the semifinals, the Tigers downed State College, 25-20.

The Tigers won 11 and lost two in the tournament.  Statistically, senior Nick Overbaugh led the way with 44 kills, 22 perfect passes to target and 6 service aces.  Senior Dan Osterrieder recorded 30 kills and 15 blocks.  Senior Shane Conley had 16 kills, five blocks and four service aces.  Senior Adam Rector added 18 kills and 6 blocks with senior Mike Nypaver registering 15 kills and senior Chris McKim seven blocks.  Senior Josh Leroux had seventeen perfect passes to target and three service aces, senior Chris King had 16 PPT and 13 digs while senior Derick Schmidt had 15 PPT along with 8 digs.  Senior Steve Westhead contributed 11 digs with senior Steve Nicola accounting for six digs.

The Tigers will be back in action again on Tuesday night when they host Seneca Valley in a section match at the Senior High gym.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the stats used in this report!)

DERRY INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 9, 2005

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS SHUT OUT PINE-RICHLAND, 3-0

The Tigers won their third straight match without a loss with a 3-0 victory at Pine-Richland on Thursday night.  NA won the first game, 25-13, took the second, 25-18, and finished off the Rams, 25-19, in game three to post the shutout.

Senior setter Shane Conley led the way statistically with 20 assists, 3 blocks and 7 digs.  At the net, senior Dan Osterrieder posted 11 kills and 3 blocks while senior Nick Overbaugh registered 10 kills and 4 blocks.  Senior Chris McKim had six kills and three blocks while senior Adam Rector recorded three blocks.  Defensively, senior Mike Nypaver and Chad King both had four digs.  Senior setter Steve Nicola posted six assists.

The Tigers will travel to Derry on Saturday to participate in the Derry Invitational.  Matches will get under way at 9:00 am.  NA will return home on Tuesday night when they will host the Seneca Valley Raiders in a section match.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

(Thanks again to Steve Elmore for statistics used in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PINE-RICHLAND - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SHALER FALLS TO NA IN THREE GAMES

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

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers continued to impress in the early season as they shut out Shaler, 3-0, at the Senior High gym in the section opener on Tuesday night.  Senior setter Shane Conley posted 22 assists with senior Dan Osterrieder recording 11 kills to lead NA.  The Tigers took the first game, 25-12, game two, 25-20, and the third game, 25-7.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped out to a 6-2 lead behind the hitting of Osterrieder and senior MB Chris McKim and the serving of Conley, who recorded two consecutive aces.  After the Titans cut the lead to 6-4, NA put together a 9-1 run.  Strong hitting by senior MB Adam Rector, McKim, and senior OH Nick Overbaugh led the Tiger charge.  Senior DS Derick Schmidt served six straight points , including a pair of aces, as NA increased the margin to 15-5.  Shaler came back to close within 17-8, but Overbaugh then took over.  After a kill got the serve back, the Tiger senior recorded three straight aces on a potent jump serve as the lead went to 21-9.  A kill by senior opposite Kevin Moskal, along with a tip and a kill by Osterrieder, gave the Tigers a 24-12 advantage.  A cross-court kill by Overbaugh put the Titans away as NA won the first game, 25-12.

Early in game two, it looked like more of the same.  Conley served two aces as the Tigers jumped off to a 4-0 lead.  After a block by Shaler senior Don Sickenberger, NA went on 5-2 run behind the hitting of Osterrieder and the serving of senior DS Steve Westhead.  After a kill by Titan senior Roy Alston, the Tigers increased the lead to 13-7 on kills by Moskal and senior OH Josh Leroux.  At this point, Shaler rallied behind the hitting of Alston, sophomore Tom Rectenwald, and senior OH Joe Paschel to cut the Tiger lead to 17-16.  The Tigers regrouped, however, to finish with an 8-4 run.  A kill by Conley, a net violation and two strong hits by junior OH Brett Alexander put the Tigers up 23-17.  With the score at 24-20, Overbaugh again finished off the Titans with a another strong cross-court blast as NA won game two, 25-20.

Game three was no contest as the Tigers took the lead from the beginning.  Junior Brian Block gave NA a good start with a block for a point and a service ace as the Tigers took a 5-1 lead.  After Shaler cut the margin to 6-4, the Tigers scored the next twelve points.  Osterrieder had two kills and two blocks, Block had a pair of kills and a block, Moskal added a kill and senior Mike Nypaver served an ace as the Tiger lead went to 18-4.  After a Shaler point on an NA net violation, junior Kevin Vater earned a kill and Moskal and junior Russ Hoburg combined on a block to push the margin to 21-6.  Conley scored on a tip and Moskal served an ace as the lead went to 24-7.  Senior Chad King completed the sweep with a strong hit down the line as the Tigers won game three, 25-7.

It was a strong all-around performance by the Tigers as Coach Schall used all of his bench in the victory.  In addition to Osterrieders' eleven kills, Overbaugh added seven, McKim four, and Conley and Block three each.  Osterrieder had four blocks and assisted on three others.  Schmidt, Leroux, and Nypaver had three digs each while Schmidt led with six passes to target.  The Tigers posted fourteen service aces with Conley picking up four and Overbaugh three.  For his efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Shane Conley as the Player of the Match.

The victory opened the section season successfully for the Tigers as they improved their overall mark to 2-0.  The Tigers are currently ranked #1 in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.  NA will travel to Pine-Richland tomorrow night to meet the Rams in a 7:00 pm section contest.  On Saturday, the Tigers will travel to Derry for the Derry Invitational.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the stats used in this report!)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SHALER - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS WIN NA INVITATIONAL

Coach Dan Schall's Tigers captured first place in the NA Invitational Tournament at the Senior High gym on Saturday.  NA defeated Ambridge, 2-0, in the semifinals and Montour, 2-0, in the final to take first place.

In the tournament, the Tigers went 15-0 to capture the crown.  Individually at the net, senior Nick Overbaugh recorded 43 kills and 6 blocks, senior Dan Osterrieder had 32 kills and 11 blocks, and senior Josh Leroux posted 20 kills and 4 blocks.  In passing, senior Shane Conley set 98 kills while senior Steve Nicola recorded 61 assists.  Seniors Mike Nypaver and Overbaugh led in perfect passes to target with 26 while senior Chad King had 21.  Defensively, Nicola led with 8 digs, senior Derick Schmidt had five and Conley 4.  Nicola had five service aces with junior Naveed Bozorg posting four, and juniors Nate Zunic and Brett Alexander three each.

The Tigers will be back in action again on Tuesday night when they host Shaler in the section opener.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the match LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 pm.  Match time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the statistics used in this report!)

NA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 2, 2004

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS OPEN SEASON WITH 3-0 WIN OVER AMBRIDGE

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

Coach Dan Schall's defending WPIAL champion Tigers opened the 2005 season with an impressive 3-0 victory over Ambridge at the Senior High gym on Tuesday night.  A strong NA front line, led by seniors Dan Osterrieder and Nick Overbaugh, controlled the net with seniors Shane Conley and Steve Nicola setting as the Tigers dominated the Bridgers.  NA won the first game, 25-14, game two, 25-12, and the third and final game, 25-14.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped off to a quick 5-0 lead behind kills from Osterrieder and Overbaugh and three Ambridge violations.  NA continued to extend the lead as the Tiger duo of Osterrieder and Overbaugh picked up two more kills as the lead went to 9-3.  Two service aces by Overbaugh and another Bridger violation pushed the margin to 12-4.  After junior Matt Sutton picked up a kill off the NA blockers, senior Josh Leroux came off the bench to pick up two consecutive kills.  Ambridge came back to cut the lead to 15-8 on two NA misplays and a kill by junior Chris Fontana, but Leroux hit the line for a point to make it 16-8.  Senior Chad King picked up a kill, but sophomore Chris Vrooman led a Bridger comeback with three kills as Ambridge cut the margin to 18-12.  NA went on a 7-2 run to finish off the Bridgers with senior Chris McKim earning points on a kill and a block, along with kills by Conley, Overbaugh and Osterrieder.  Senior Kevin Moskal finished things with a hit off the Ambridge blockers as NA won game one, 25-14.

Early in the second game, Ambridge played NA even to tie the score at 3-3.  The Tigers scored the next six points behind the hitting of Overbaugh and senior Adam Rector to take a 9-3 lead.  A service ace by Nicola, a block by senior Mike Nypaver, and a kill by Conley led the Tigers to a 15-5 advantage.  After Ambridge picked up a pair of points led by a tip by Fontana, the Tigers went on an 8-0 run.  Osterrieder had a kill and a block, Moskal find an opening down the middle, and Nypaver scored on a block to pace the NA run.  After Osterrieder made it 24-12, Conley recorded the game winner with a diving save that went over the net for the winning point.  The Tigers won game two, 25-12.

Game three featured more of the Tiger dominance as they raced off to a quick 5-1 lead.  Overbaugh and Osterrieder continued to lead the way with Nicola also picking up a kill.  NA extended the margin to 11-4 behind the hitting of Osterrieder, McKim and Rector.  After Ambridge scored three straight points, Conley served three aces and Osterrieder scored on two blocks as the Tiger lead went to 17-7.  After the Tigers extended the lead to 19-8, Ambridge came back behind Sutton's two aces to cut the margin to 19-12.  Once again, NA outscored the Bridgers down the stretch, 6-2, with junior Russ Hoburg coming off the bench to record the final three Tiger points in a 25-14 victory.

It was an impressive win for the Tigers in the season opener.  Conley had five assists and Nicola three on NA kills to pace an accurate Tiger passing attack.  Osterrieder had 9 kills and 4 solo blocks while Overbaugh picked up 7 kills.  Leroux and Rector posted three kills each.  Nypaver and senior Derick Schmidt had three perfect passes to target, while Conley served three aces.  For his play, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Dan Osterrieder as the Player of the Match.

The Tigers will be in action again on Saturday when they host the NA Invitational at the Senior High gym.  NA will open section play next Tuesday when they host rival Shaler.  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.

(Thanks to Steve Elmore for the stats used in the article)

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  AMBRIDGE - 0

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