BUTLER TWP — Nash Bryan spins the ball high into the air inside the Butler High School gymnasium.

With his eyes locked on the target, Bryan leaps and swings his arm. The volleyball whistles over the net, arcing down to the floor for an ace.

Bryan has been a unique weapon for the Butler boys volleyball team throughout his career.

Especially this season as the junior has refined his game even more.

“He makes good choices,” said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. “Last year sometimes he would crank a ball 100 miles per hour and God knows where it was going. This year he makes good choices and you can see that time and time again.”

Bryan has certainly put the time in on his craft.

He works relentless on that powerful jump serve of his that produced six aces in a sweep of Upper St. Clair Wednesday night.

“I work on it at least 15 minutes before practice, during practice — we have a two hour practice every day — and then I stay after practice three of the five days,” Bryan said.

But Bryan's true value is at the net, where he is averaging 17.5 kills per match.

He's also developed a feel around the net on when to go for a thunderous kill, or softly tap the ball into a dead spot.

He said he owes that to being around the game most of his life.

“It's definitely experience,” Bryan said. “I grew up watching my dad (Rob) play. He was on the USA Regional team and the people he faced were crazy. I just watched them and watched the Olympics. I used to love watching volleyball. It used to be one of the only things I would do.”

Bryan doesn't have the typical frame for an elite hitter.

He's not the tallest player on the court, but he makes up for it with tremendous leaping ability.

“It definitely helps,” Bryan said, smiling. “Especially for my height and stature. My arms aren't that long. Usually for a hitter you have to be lanky and tall, and that's always been the downside for me, but I've tried to overcome it with my vertical.”

Much like he has done with his serve, Bryan has put the hours in on his leaping ability.

He's also worked on the speed of his swing.

“Over the winter I did arm training to help with my swing and a bunch of vertical training as well,” Bryan said.

Bryan also competed with the Pittsburgh Volleyball Club over the summer.

The team placed 10th at a national tournament.

“I faced some pretty good competition there,” Bryan said. “I love to see the challenges it brings me.”

Bryan feels like he does his best against the strongest competition.

The secret is also out on Bryan as he has faced a wall of blockers at the net this season.

Still, he's putting up the numbers — and Butler is winning at 6-2 overall this season.

“There's a lot of pressure on Nash,” Liparulo said. “They're going to set to block and they're going to put their key people on him. He's one of the better hitters in the WPIAL. There's no question about that.”

For Bryan, it's the thrill of seeing a serve or a spike hitting the floor that makes those hours of work away from the spotlight worth it.

“It's definitely great when you see that perfect set coming and you know you can just pound it,” Bryan said. “Whenever you execute it, it's definitely one of the best feelings I've ever had.”