Butler volleyball’s historic season continues into PIAA semifinals with win over Neshaminy
BOGGS TWP, Centre County — Butler boys volleyball brings a strong presence at the net from a slew of players.
Saturday afternoon, Neshaminy learned first-hand just how good the Golden Tornado can be.
The Skins earned a reprieve in the second set, but were otherwise dominated by Butler as the Tornado slammed their way to a 3-1 victory in a PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal at Bald Eagle Area High School.
The win came by scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-12.
“We knew (the Skins) were tough in the middle and had a very good setter, but we brought our ‘A’ game in three out of four sets today,” Butler coach Lew Liparulo said.
The Tornado (18-5) will get a fourth crack at North Allegheny this season when the teams meet Tuesday in a semifinal at a site and time to be determined. Butler, which has never played this deep into any season, dropped its first three meetings to the Tigers, who swept State College on Saturday.
The Tornado wasted no time displaying their ability at the net against Neshaminy. Led by Jacob Proudfoot’s four kills in the first set, they grabbed a lead and were never threatened.
“It was pretty early that we realized our hitters were going to cause them trouble,” said sophomore right-side hitter Brett Schnur, who had nine kills on the day. “Our passing was not on target in the second set, and we dropped that one.”
Even then, Butler kept it close. A late kill and block from Neshaminy’s Daniel Zhanybaev pulled the Skins even at one set apiece, but Butler returned to form in the third set.
Kills from Proudfoot, Zane Steimer and Schnur gave Butler breathing room. Proudfoot tallied two late kills and a service ace to earn the win going away.
The Tornado had 11 aces, with Schnur posting four of them.
“We try to make things difficult on the other team’s setter with our serves, but once the score gets in the 20s, there’s really no strategy involved. Just get the ball over the net and in play,” Liparulo said.
“We got on a roll with our serves,” Butler junior outside hitter Kohl Salata said.
“A lot of times, it’s just getting the ball over and letting the other team make mistakes.”
Many of Butler’s kills caused a loud thud heard throughout the gym as the ball smacked off the court. Neshaminy’s players seemed overwhelmed at times from the rockets being sent over the net.
The Skins’ attack struggled to find consistency.
“We have very strong middles (Cadenn Amati and Nik Mardaleishvili), but it was definitely a challenge today to get them going,” Neshaminy coach Pat Klingerman said. “Butler is very strong with ball control, and they stayed in system. They force you to play to their strengths.”
Butler’s prowess hit its peak in the fourth set as five players tallied multiple kills and Steimer finished off the Skins (17-7) with a block.
Amati paced Neshaminy with 13 kills.
Andrew Slaugenhoup and Proudfoot both had nine kills for Butler.
Avery Rudolph dished out 31 assists in the win and Maddox McCall had 11 digs.
Butler’s most recent encounter with North Allegheny came in a 3-0 loss in the WPIAL championship game last month.
“In our first game against them this season, we lost the first set 26-24,” Liparulo said. “Since then, the scores have not been close. Hopefully, we will play up to our ability.”
