SV volleyball scores sweep against Butler
JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley boys volleyball team had won three straight section games, but injuries, illness and a change to the lineup had the Raiders felling a bit on edge in the first set of Tuesday's meeting with Butler.
“We didn't play the way we're capable of early on,” said SV senior middle hitter Kyle Montrose. “When we're at our best, we're energetic, screaming and yelling. We let a few things get away from us.”
A win was not one of them. The Raiders clawed their way to a 25-22 win in that first set, sparking a sweep of the Golden Tornado at Seneca Valley High School.
SV closed out the Tornado with wins of 25-15 and 25-22.
The Tornado (5-5, 3-4) grabbed a 21-20 lead in the initial set following a block from Logan Donnel. But following a sideout, a block from Ryan Meyer and kills from Luke Trzeciak and Montrose, the latter capping a long rally, set up Trzeciak's kill to end the game.
“Winning that first set was a confidence-booster for us,” said Raiders' coach Karen Martini. “I told the guys after that to have fun, play the game they know how to play.
A much looser Raider squad pulled away from Butler in the second set, leading 16-7 and 24-13 before a kill from Colin Uher officially put SV up two sets to none.
“We just didn't play well in Game 2,” said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. “We didn't block. We had a lot of swings, but our kill percentage was not strong.”
Needing three straight wins to take the match, Butler showed life in the third set. Luke McEachin had five kills, including three late to put the Tornado ahead 20-19.
Meyer then dropped a kill, however, handing the serve back to the Raiders. Uher, Jake Smeltzer, Mike Devlin and Montrose handled things from there, each tallying a kill to end Butler's hopes of a comeback.
McEachin, a senior, led Butler with eight kills.
“We're not a young team, but we're inexperienced,” Liparulo said. “There are only three players on our roster with prior varsity experience. We came back in the third set and that is a real testament to the character of these kids.”
SV threw a balanced attack at the Tornado. Montrose had 11 kills. Trzeciak had 10 kills and Devlin added eight.
The win improved the Raiders to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in section play.
“We're fairly confident right now,” said Martini. “When you open the season against the two best teams in the section (North Allegheny and Shaler, both losses), it makes it tough. We're trying to come together.”
Seneca Valley hosts North Allegheny in a rematch Wednesday. Butler hosts Hempfield on Monday.
