WPIAL boys volleyball: Despite loss, Butler learns lessons in historic Class 3A title trip
PETERS TWP — In this case, a runner-up trophy will suffice.
In its first-ever appearance in the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball title match, No. 2 Butler couldn’t keep pace with reigning champion and perennial power North Allegheny, losing in straight sets at Peters Township High School’s AHN Arena.
Still, the Golden Tornado hoisted their second-place hardware with plenty of enthusiasm, to raucous cheers from their side of the gym.
“Never being in this scenario, it was a learning experience,” Butler coach Lew Liparulo said. “They held together alright. I’m glad they didn’t quit. … North Allegheny sets a high level of play, and we learned when you play a better team, you get better.
“No. 2 is that they can compete with just about anybody.”
The scores of the match were 25-21, 25-13 and 25-22. NA had won the previous two regular-season matchups 3-0, as well.
“It means a lot, for sure,” senior middle back Zane Steimer said. “Not just for me, but for the whole team, so that’s pretty cool. I think we played our hearts out, and, in the end, we didn’t come out on top, but that’s OK because we tried.”
Butler (17-5) fell behind 5-0 in the first set, a top-seeded Tigers advantage that swelled to 13-6 and 19-11 before the Golden Tornado made a late, but futile push.
“They had to realize it’s a game,” Liparulo said. “North Allegheny is an excellent team, but they’re still just another team. We let them jump out to an 8-1 lead the first set, and then they started playing. It’s one thing at a time.”
In the middle set, Butler pulled within four points after a Jacob Proudfoot kill and Steimer block, but North Allegheny (12-0) ripped off eight consecutive points — including a Golden Tornado service error and two off-target hitting attempts — and Liparulo’s side couldn’t dig itself out of a 19-10 hole.
Service errors plagued the Golden Tornado in the latter half of the final set, but kills by Proudfoot and Avery Rudolph and a block by Steimer made it 24-22 before the Tigers finished it off.
“We’re a 32-year-old program, and it’s the first time we’ve gone this far,” Liparulo said. “It’s just an example of how hard these kids have worked. They love the game.”
Butler will move on to the PIAA tournament, which begins the week of June 1, and await its next opponent. One thing is for certain, though.
“We’re definitely trying to make a run,” Steimer said. “We’re just gonna try our hardest again. We don’t know what states is gonna look like, so just try our hardest. … That’s all we can do.”
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Butler’s Zane Steimer (18) spikes the ball against North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball championship game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Peters Township High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Parents cheer as Butler scores against North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball championship game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Peters Township High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Kohl Salata (19) serves the ball against North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball championship game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Peters Township High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Jacob Proudfoot (3) bumps the ball after a return by North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball championship game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Peters Township High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
