Butler County boys volleyball all-stars: Meet the 2025 player of the year, first team, honorable mentions
A position switch took Jordan Hoover out of his comfort zone, but it led to him becoming an all-around star on the volleyball court.
He was used to the responsibilities of an outside hitter entering his freshman year at Seneca Valley.
“We had a number of guys at that position, but were short on middle hitters,” Hoover said. “My junior varsity coach, Megan Kelly, moved me there, and it was a big shift for me.
“I knew there would be a lot more blocking involved, but I got better at it and fell in love with the position.”
His high school career closed with an impressive crescendo this spring, tallying 332 kills and 87 blocks that earned him first team honors in both Section 3-3A and the entire WPIAL.
Hoover was named the Butler Eagle’s 2025 Boys Volleyball Player of the Year.
“When we needed a big point, he was our go-to guy and everybody knew it,” SV coach Brett Poirier said. “Teams would double- and even triple-team him, but he still hit over 50% ... and he was just as good defensively.”
Hoover, who will play collegiately at Roberts Wesleyan University near Rochester, N.Y., took the inflated attention from opposing teams in stride.
“If you triple-team somebody, there has to be a good reason for it,” he said. “I took it as a challenge.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with my teammates in college, growing as a person and a player.”
Here are the other five Butler County players named to the first team, followed by honorable mentions, in alphabetical order.
The Penn State-Behrend recruit’s versatility proved invaluable to the Golden Tornado. He ranked first on the team in passes to target (192), digs (237) and managed a kill percentage of .290. Was named First Team All-Section and Second Team All-WPIAL Class 3A.
“He was a very consistent player, filled in many gaps and his statistics show it,” Butler coach Lew Liparulo said. “He’s a leader who always came to play in practices and games.”
Was named First Team All-Section and All-WPIAL Class 3A after a superb campaign. Tallied 941 assists, 65 kills, 38 blocks and 196 digs. Will play club volleyball at Pitt.
“He ran the whole offense for us,” Poirier said. “When you approach 200 digs as a setter, that’s a special kid.”
Landed an average of 16 kills per match on opponents, which earned him First Team All-Section and All-WPIAL Class 2A honors. Will next play at Northern Kentucky University.
“He had 29 kills in our playoff game against South Fayette,” North coach Rick Ward said. “Everything we did on offense went through him.”
Finished his high school career as Mars’ all-time leader in kills, including over 250 this season despite missing much of the year with an injury. Had a hitting percentage of .390 and added 163 digs and 39 service aces. The St. Francis (Pa.) University recruit garnered First Team All-Section and All-WPIAL Class 2A accolades.
“He was a three-year captain and four-year starter for us,” Mars coach Michael Nypaver said. “He finished his career with nearly 900 kills.”
Injuries to teammates forced him to fill multiple roles, and he responded with 352 assists, 103 kills, 117 digs and 30 aces. Was named First Team All-Section and All-WPIAL Class 2A. Will play in college at Stevenson University (Md.).
“He is Mars’ all-time assists leader with over 2,000,” Nypaver said. “In seven games this year, he was the main passer in serve/receive, and the primary attacker of our offense.”
Mario Ardolino, sr., L, Seneca Valley; Cory Killian, sr., OH, Mars; Rex Ranier, so., L, North Catholic; Alfons Semmler, sr., Opp/DS, Butler; Andrew Slaugenhoup, jr., OH/DS, Butler; Alec Teff, sr., Opp/DS, Butler
