Undefeated Bethel Park netters head into big week of action
For the past three years, Bethel Park has not kept individual statistics on its volleyball players. Head coach Tom Allman believes this is the reason why the Black Hawks have been successful.
This spring is proving no different. The Hawks are 9-0 overall. They reached the semifinals in the Deer Lakes and Fox Chapel tournaments. In addition, Bethel is undefeated in Section 1 action against the likes of Baldwin, Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Moon, Peters Township and Upper St. Clair.
The Hawks host the Indians April 25 and visit the Panthers April 30 in key clashes this week. PT won the Fox Chapel tournament.
“To be able to continue on our winning ways and achieve our team goals,” Allman emphasized, “We must be disciplined, continue to pass the ball well enough to run our offense and to commit to our team defense.”
These objectives, Allman says, will put the Hawks in a position to make a run at the section title as well as give them a shot at a Final Four appearance in the WPIAL Class AAA championships. The tournament commences May 14 and concludes with the finals May 24 at La Roche College.
Allman has used a blend of nine players to fashion a winner.
Freshman Jake Dixon joins seniors Cam Hay and Aaron Glasser at the outside hitter position. Dixon towers over at 6-feet-3 while Hay is 6-2 and Glasser an even 6-foot.
Bobby Huntington, a 6-4 senior, and Brandon Hanson, a 6-3 junior, anchors the middle while Grant Underwood dominates the opposite side hitter. The 6-4 senior was All-WPIAL last season.
While senior Vance Blanc handles the setting, Danny Burke, a 6-0 junior, and Luke Hudson, a 5-8 senior, are the Hawks’ defensive specialists. Allman has been pleased with their “extraordinary” play.
Alexander Kiselica and Ryan Petrossi are defensive specialists as well. The seniors also lend leadership to the club.
Juniors Lenny Chorney, Werner Hernandez and Nicholas Pilotta strengthen the hitter positions on the squad.
The team sports four sophomores, giving BP added depth at a variety of positions. The 10th graders are: Noah Blanc, a setter and liberio; David Uhlmann, a liberio; and hitters, Steven Eiben and Nathan Harrold.
Brandon Thorsen, like Dixon, is a newcomer to the varsity. The freshman setter completes the roster.