BUTLER TWP - The Butler boys volleyball team did something Thursday against North Allegheny that no other Section 2 opponent has done the past two seasons.

After dropping the first two sets to the Tigers, Butler answered by winning the third set, the first NA has conceded in its 17 section games during that span.

The Tornado trailed the fourth game 10-9 before the Tigers reeled off the next five points and went on to the 3-1 victory (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-15) on Senior Night.

"They usually come back," said Butler coach Lew Liparulo on his squad. "These kids, they gave up a lot of inches in height. My kids came out to play."

The two-time defending WPIAL Class AAA champion Tigers (12-0, 9-0) captured the first two sets by jumping out to a lead, then withstanding small charges by the Tornado.

After leading 7-2 in the first set, Butler (11-3, 7-2) trimmed the deficit to 12-10 before the Tigers scored the next six points, the final five coming off service points from Nick Overbaugh for an 18-10 lead.

After winning the point on Overbaugh's last serve, it was Zack Wilms' turn to roll off five straight service points to pull the Tornado back to two, 18-16.

"We gave up five straight service points to (Wilms), which is uncharacteristic of us but a tribute to his serving ability," said Tigers coach Dan Schall.

The Tigers went on to the five-point win and opened the second set by scoring the first four points and eight of 10.

The Tornado stormed back and pulled even at 16 and, with the game tied at 19, North Allegheny won six of the final eight points to win the set.

With their backs against the wall, Butler responded by not allowing itself to fall behind early.

Thanks to three straight service points by Chris Erdos, Butler took a 15-11 lead and never lost the lead the rest of the game. The Tigers did claw back as close as 23-22, but a Ricky Gonzalez kill made it 24-22.

The Tigers did earn the next point, but a spike by the Tigers' hitter beyond the back line gave Butler the win.

"When we started the first game, we made four passing errors right off the bat," said Liparulo. "We didn't do that in the third game. That's what it all comes down to, who makes the least amount of errors."

"Our passing game dropped off in the third game," said Schall. "If you can't pass, then your game really falls off."

In the fourth game, the Tigers pulled away late, thanks to that five-point swing. Butler did pull to within four at 16-12, but the Tigers grabbed seven of the next eight to send them on their way.

With a playoff berth already sewn up - the Tornado will wrap up section play Tuesday at Seneca Valley - Liparulo hopes the team's inspired play continues in the post-season.

"We were coming off a 5-11 year and as compared to (North Allegheny), that's a long way for us to come."

Notes: Overbaugh and Dan Osterrieder, the Tigers' top two leaders in kills, had 12 and 13, respectively on Thursday … Butler received 12 kills from Gonzalez, 15 passes from Erdos and 38 assists from Shawn Vincent … The Tigers junior varsity team prevailed 15-18, 25-15.