BUTLER TWP — Ben Fiorina and his Butler volleyball teammates realized what was at stake Thursday night against Pine-Richland.

A loss and the season was ostensibly over.

The Golden Tornado weren't going to let that happen.

“It was a big game for us and we knew coming into it they were a tough opponent and they beat us already this season,” said Fiorina, a senior middle hitter and defensive specialist. “We had to keep our heads and, this being our senior night, it helped give us an edge.”

Butler took control early in all three sets and cruised to a 25-14, 25-14, 25-17 sweep of the Rams.

“We felt the pressure,” Fiorina said. “We spent time yesterday watching the video and preparing for them. We had a rough idea about what they wanted to do with the ball and we adjusted our game to that.”

The pressure didn't seem to faze the Golden Tornado, who played one of their best all-around matches this season.

Nash Bryan had his usual dominating night with 13 kills, but the points were spread around among several different players at the net.

The Golden Tornado got kills from six different players, including six from setter Tyler Rankin, who also had 32 assists.

Rankin was a key in spreading the ball around, Fiorina said.

“Tyler Rankin did a great job setting,” Fiorina said. “He had hitter diversity. Every time you thought it was going to Nash, it went to another player. He was able to switch anything up. You never knew where he was setting until he set the ball and that really contributed to everyone doing their part.”

Even Rankin at the net.

“He's a tricky player,” Fiorina said, laughing. “You can't predict him. He's amazing.”

Butler coach Lew Liparulo was pleased with how his team performed under pressure.

It's what Liparulo envisions his team looking like when they play to their potential.

“It certainly is,” the coach said. “They played great floor defense tonight — the communication. They did the things that have to be done to win a game.”

Dan Kline excelled on defense with eight digs.

Pine-Richland's offense had trouble getting into any kind of a rhythm. The Rams' longest rally in the match was three.

“Everything was facilitated by serve, receive and defense,” Liparulo said. “We had good transition between defense and offense tonight. Very pleased.”

The win puts Butler all alone in the fourth and final playoff spot in the section behind undefeated North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Shaler.

It was a good bounce-back win after a disappointing loss at Shaler Tuesday.

Butler closes out the section season with road matches against North Allegheny, Fox Chapel and Seneca Valley.

“We had a lot of consistency in most areas tonight,” Liparulo said. “We strive to have a match like this. That's our goal. And we hope it happens for all the rest.”