Four-Time Reigning PIAA Champs Fall To Top-Ranked Shaler, 3-1
In a matchup between two Class 3A heavyweights, the North Allegheny boys’ volleyball team fell by a 3-1 decision to Shaler on Thursday night at UPMC Court. The Titans, the top-ranked team in the state, defeated the four-time reining PIAA champions by set scores of 25-22, 19-25, 25-20 and 25-20. It was the first time Shaler defeated North Allegheny in nearly 16 years, with the last victory coming on April 24, 2007.
Juniors Logan Peterson and Logan Schimmel sparked the visiting Titans in the opening set with three kills and three blocks, respectively, to propel Shaler to a 25-22 win.
Leading 10-8 in set two, the Tigers used a 7-1 run to gain command of the game and sprint to a 25-19 victory to tie the match at 1-1. Junior middle blocker Theo Wilkinson tallied three kills in the set and finished the night with blocks. Junior outside hitter Stone Gaertner notched three kills in the set and finished with 10 on the night. Gaertner added three aces and three blocks, on his way to Wright Automotive Player of the Match honors.
In the pivotal third set, the score was tied 18-18 before Shaler pulled away for a 25-20 win. Peterson, an all-state selection last season, provided three kills in the set and totaled a match-high 17 kills for the Titans.
Junior middle blocker, Dante Palombo, another all-state pick from 2022, posted five of his match-high six blocks in the fourth set to lift Shaler to a 25-20 triumph and 3-1 match victory. Palombo also finished with 10 kills.
For North Allegheny, senior Varun Kaveti‘s presence in the middle provided 11 kills and three blocks. Senior Jax Wilhite notched eight kills and eight digs on defense. Junior libero Will Hahn gathered 13 digs, while junior setter Nicolas Carioto tallied a team-high 33 assists and added two aces.
North Allegheny slips to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in section play, while Shaler improves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Section 2-AAA. The Tigers will take part in the Derry Invitational on Saturday.
Boys Volleyball Summary vs. Shaler, 3-30-23
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY SETS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Shaler | 25 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| North Allegheny | 22 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 1 |