Inexperience no problem for Seneca Valley boys volleyball
JACKSON TWP — Inexperience does not have to doom a season. Just ask Seneca Valley boys volleyball coach Brett Poirier.
With a 15-player roster that includes 13 juniors and sophomores, many of whom were not major contributors on last year’s team, the Raiders moved their record to 6-1 (2-0 in WPIAL Section 1-3A) with a sweep of visiting Pine-Richland on Thursday.
“We have three, maybe four players who saw a lot of varsity time a year ago,” Poirier said. “We’re a young team, but the young guys have talent and they’re hungry. It’s not one thing that we’re doing well. It’s different things every night.”
The Raiders recently won their own 12-team tournament. Their one loss thus far came by a 3-2 score March 19 against perennial Class 2A powerhouse Meadville, which finished runner-up in the state last year.
“That was in their gym, too,” Poirier said. “To take that team to five sets on their court, I’ll take it. It was a step in the right direction.”
Much of the focus Thursday against Pine-Richland centered around Rams’ senior hitter Doolin Stober.
“He’s 6-feet-8, just a monster,” Poirier said. “He’s going to get his kills, but we had to control him and not let him have a huge night.”
Stober had his moments, finishing with 11 kills, but SV’s attack was much more diverse while earning the 25-19, 25-14, 25-19 victory.
Parker Budney, Mac Wilson, Thomas Quinlan and Gavin Gorajewski combined to drop 25 kills for the Raiders.
Malachi DeGraaf served up five aces, including three straight late in the second set to help the Raiders win going away.
“Last year, I was more hesitant to put everything I had into my serves and I wasn’t jumping as high,” the senior outside hitter said. “Now I’m serving as hard as I can. Honestly, when I do take something off of my serves, it’s by accident.”
DeGraaf and defensive specialist Isaac Parkinson are the team’s only seniors.
“Malachi was our best returning player from last year,” Poirier said. “He’s definitely our leader.”
With so many question marks surrounding individual players entering the season, the Raiders needed to have some pleasant surprises to be successful in 2026.
“It’s been awesome. We’re keeping the energy up,” DeGraaf said. “Our blocking is a lot better than I thought it would be. It’s a big reason for our wins.”
Junior middle hitter Eiken Downing had four blocks Thursday to help SV dominate the Rams (4-2, 1-2).
The Raiders host Moon next Thursday.
-
Seneca Valley’s Parker Budney (21) spikes the ball against Pine-Richland in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Malachi DeGraaf (7), Sean Kane (23), and Mac Wilson (24) celebrate scoring against Pine-Richland in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Mac Wilson (24) and Eiken Downing (26) stop a spike from Pine-Richland in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Isaac Parkinson (15) returns a Pine-Richland serve in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Josh Glover (20) returns a Pine-Richland serve in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Parker Budney (21) spikes the ball against Pine-Richland in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Sean Kane (23) sets the ball up for a spike in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley celebrates winning their second set against Pine-Richland in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland 3-0 in a boys volleyball game Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Seneca Valley High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
