Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Derek Piatek (22) passes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Will Suppa (16) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Cory Killian (12) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) blocks in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Jackson Garr (25) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Will Suppa (16) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) hits the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Jackson Garr (25) blocks in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Jackson Garr (25) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Will Suppa (16) and Jackson Garr (25) block in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Derek Piatek (22) celebrates the team's victory over South Park in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Mars' Kyler Robinson (4) and Glenn Jensen (15) block in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Derek Piatek (22) passes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Will Suppa (16) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Cory Killian (12) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) blocks in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Jackson Garr (25) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Will Suppa (16) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Glenn Jensen (15) hits the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Jackson Garr (25) blocks in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
-
Mars' Jackson Garr (25) spikes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Will Suppa (16) and Jackson Garr (25) block in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Derek Piatek (22) celebrates the team's victory over South Park in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
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Mars' Kyler Robinson (4) and Glenn Jensen (15) block in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
ADAMS TWP — With senior leader Derek Piatek back in his customary spot, Mars’ confidence gained a boost. If they pile up postseason wins, that may continue to grow.
The sixth-seeded Planets beat No. 11 South Park at Mars High School on Tuesday night by commanding scores of 25-10, 25-12 and 25-15 to open the WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball playoffs.
Mars entered the night with a losing record at 8-10, a misleading mark considering the amount of injuries the team has dealt with. Piatek’s ankle wasn’t 100% for 3-4 weeks, which alone forced Nypaver to field different lineups. The coach estimated he’s fielded at least 10 unique ones.
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“It’s just been kind of very hectic on our side, and very different every single match we played,” Nypaver said.
Not anymore.
The Planets walked out their normal lineup against the Eagles (9-9). With Piatek back at outside hitter rather than libero, the Planets trailed for all of four serves the entire night.
“I think it gives the other guys a lot of confidence to have his arm swinging on the outside,” Nypaver said. “It gives a lot of different options and puts a passer in the middle of the court again for us who’s a consistent passer.”
Piatek, who said outside hitter is his preferred post, was present from the outset. His first kill of the night evened the opening set at a point apiece. He bookended the following set with two others, and also put a stamp on the match at the end. Piatek finished with at least nine kills and had an ace, as well.
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Mars' Derek Piatek (22) passes the ball in a WPIAL Class 2A boys volleyball first-round game against South Park at Mars Area High School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
“Just coming back to it after not being able to hit for a while, it feels good,” Piatek said.
For a week after he sprained his ankle, he sat out. He gradually worked his way back — passing, moving around and eventually lining up at libero, a position that allowed him to contribute without jumping and swinging.
“Today was the day I wanted to be back for it,” Piatek said. “I didn’t worry about any other section games because I knew we made playoffs, so today was just the first game where I figured I really need to come back (to outside hitter).”
The different combinations of players at other positions, he believes, makes the group more well-rounded at a crucial time.
“I think it just makes everybody better because they get to see a different perspective of the game,” Piatek said. “So, they have a little more respect for their teammates who play that position, but also just makes them better because they get to play the different positions and see how the game works a little bit more.”
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Senior Jackson Garr had an unofficial three kills, one ace and a block for Mars.
The Planets move on to play at No. 3 Seton LaSalle at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“(We know) that we can beat teams like that, we can compete against higher teams, as well,” Piatek said.
“If we keep winning, we’ll definitely increase our confidence,” Nypaver said.
