BUTLER TWP — Nash Bryan had trouble understanding the decision.

For years he had been a standout club volleyball player, collecting kills with his powerful right arm, excelling at the serve-receive game and launching aces all over the volleyball court.

But two years ago, Bryan was cut from a club volleyball team.

“That was tough, obviously,” said Bryan, now a senior outside hitter on the Butler boys volleyball team. “I took a year off from volleyball, which was hard to do — harder than anything in my life so far.”

He was cut because of the elephant in the room when it comes to place on the volleyball court.

Despite his ability to rack up prodigious kill numbers at the net with his exceptional leaping ability, Bryan only stands 5-foot-11.

“My height was not a fit for the program,” Bryan said. “It's been a downer, but it is what it is.”

So, Bryan turned to his second love — baseball — and developed into a power-pitcher during that year away from the court.

One door closed. Another opened.

Bryan parlayed his burgeoning skill as a pitcher into a scholarship for baseball at Wheeling Jesuit University.

“It was a tough loss getting cut from the club volleyball team and tough to get through,” Bryan said, “but it worked out in the end.”

Bryan, though, is still making life difficult for the opposition on the volleyball court for the Golden Tornado, where he has been a constant — not only at the net but all over the floor for the better part of four years.

Bryan recently became the first player in the 25-year history of the Butler boys volleyball program to record 1,000 career kills.

“He came in at the right time,” said Butler boys volleyball coach Lew Liparulo. “Not too many kids letter as a freshman in this program.”

Bryan has always been dangerous at the net, but perhaps even more so this season.

He had 26 kills Tuesday against Pine-Richland to help the Tornado move to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the highly competitive section.

The milestone is something that has been on Bryan's mind for years.

“It's awesome. It's a surreal feeling,” Bryan said. “It's one of the goals I've had since I was a freshman and started varsity. But I'm looking to contribute more this season.”

And he has.

Bryan never comes off the court and is just as adept at getting a dig or an ace as he is at recording a kill.

He prides himself on his diversity, and that also translates to the baseball field.

Bryan has a lot of tools in his toolbox.

“I throw a bunch of pitches,” Bryan said before rattling them off. “Fastball. Curveball. Slider. Knuckleball. Changeup. Sinker.”

His fastball sits at 89 mph and tops 91 from time to time.

He expects his velocity to increase over time.

“I still have four more years of baseball ahead of me, and I'm looking to really improve there.”

Bryan struck out three Vincentian Academy hitters in his one inning of work on a frigid Wednesday night at Kelly Automotive Park.

He lives with his fastball, but has filthy, wipe-out breaking pitches to go with it.

Despite the heavy workload on his arm, Bryan isn't worries about wear and tear.

He's been on a detailed arm-strengthening program for three years.

“My arm is pretty strong,” Bryan said. “If I'm pushing it, then I'll take a break. I know my limits, which is good, and I take good care of it. When you have to stop, you have to stop.”

Bryan isn't ready to stop any time soon.

He's relishing his role with two teams at Butler in the same season, despite the time constraints.

“It's tough, but it's definitely worth it,” Bryan said. “I love every minute of every sport I play. I'm definitely having a great time.”