Butler struggles against Shaler serves in 1st loss
BUTLER TWP — Butler entered a tilt with Section 2-3A foe Shaler having dropped only one of the 10 sets it had played in boys volleyball action last week.
The wind was taken out of the Golden Tornado’s sails Tuesday night, however, as they were swept by scores of 25-17, 25-13, and 25-22. Butler held only two leads the entire match, both early on in the opening set. Shaler didn’t trail in either of the final two games.
“We were out of system most of the night because we did not serve receive well,” Butler coach Lew Liparulo said. “That’s the key to the whole flow of the game ... Because we fed them (Shaler) free ball after free ball, they dictated what went on (on) the court.”
Having been swept in straight sets by North Allegheny in their initial section clash last Thursday, the Titans (2-1, 1-1) broke a 7-7 tie in the first set by scoring eight of the next nine points. The surge included three consecutive aces by senior outside hitter Dom Rossi.
“Any time you go back and you have a tough, aggressive serve and you can kind of force the hand on the other half ... it’s a positive,” Shaler coach Paul Stadelman said. “That’s always the goal. Keep the serve on your half and play good defense.”
Rossi accomplished the same feat in the second set, while Butler (3-1, 1-1) was unable to put together more than two consecutive points.
“We failed to adjust to it,” Liparulo said. “The people I have out there, I feel, are the most consistent players at their positions. It’s a learning moment.”
Senior Tyler Figlioli chalked the lackluster performance up to a lack of communication.
“We just didn’t work as a team,” Figlioli said. “We just weren’t talking to each other. In the previous games when we talked to each other, it was much easier for us to serve receive.”
Dante Palombo, Logan Peterson, and Rossi combined for 18 kills for Shaler, who picked up its first section win of the year.
“We’re getting better each week,” Stadelman said. “We have a very deep bench with a lot of good players, so it’s nice to come in, get a few guys a little bit of playing time, and take care of business.”
Junior Max Gianneski paced Butler with 11 total kills. Seniors Noah Wolford and Kaleb Proudfoot each had two blocks and Campbell Ray turned in 17 assists.
