Bethel Park carves out name in volleyball
After capturing an undefeated section banner, placing third in the district and qualifying for the PIAA playoffs, the Bethel Park boys’ volleyball team made a name for itself. And, that reputation will be on the line when the Black Hawks enter the 2015 campaign.
This year’s club, says head coach Tom Allman, placed Bethel Park on the map. The team, he adds, made the school a name to be recognized in the volleyball community throughout the state.
“I hope the returning players learn the same lesson and continue to make the community proud of their leadership and desire to compete. This has been a great learning opportunity for all the young men on the team.
“Our expectations for the future will only get higher with the understanding that everyone will be looking to beat us and take the top spot away. Which only makes us all better,” Allman concluded.
Seniors Danny Burke, Lenny Chorney and Brandon Hanson served as the core of the club. Each earned all-WPIAL honors; Burke and Hanson on the second team, Chorney on the third.
Burke served as a libero and back row specialist while Hanson and Chorney, standing in at 6-5, and 6-3, competed as hitters. During the winter, the three played on the Junior Olympics’ circuit for the Pittsburgh Volleyball Club.
Additionally, Allman had three juniors and three sophomores that contributed greatly to the club’s successes in 2014.
While Steve Eiben played on the 17’s Junior Olympic squad, David Uhlmann and Noah Blanc will try out for the squad this fall. Uhlmann is a defensive specialist and Blanc was BP’s second middle hitter. Eiben, Uhlmann and Blanc are rising seniors.
The sophomore class included Jake Dixon. The 6-4 outside hitter gained all-WPIAL second-team laurels. Dixon and Brandon Thorsen, a setter, played at the 16’s level on the Summer Nationals team. Additionally, BP relied upon 10th grader Derek Miller, a defensive specialist.
During the summer, as well as the months preceding next spring, the Black Hawks will be engaged in preparations for the 2015 campaign. They hope to be well established on the Pittsburgh Volleyball Club. According to Allman, this allows for consistency and being able to play at a high level without being intimidated by power volleyball.
“So the key to success is to play in the off-season at an advanced level to have the confidence to play at the playoff level in the district and states,” explained Allman.
After falling in the Final Four to North Allegheny, which won its eight straight WPIAL title, the Hawks battled Central Dauphin before succumbing, 3-1, in a first round PIAA match played at Altoona.
Despite the defeat, Allman said he was pleased with his team’s effort. “I am so proud of the way the boys’ played and showed the strength of our section at both the WPIAL level and in the state playoffs.”
While BP also depended upon Werner Hernandez, Conor Zimmerman and Stephen Evrard for senior leadership, their future indeed is bright.
In addition to the aforementioned juniors and sophomores, those classes also featured Dipen Avaiya, Joseph Beaver, Elliot Carr, Joshua Como, Nathan Harrold; Joe Karras, Anthony Magnu, Derek Miller, Andy Wagner and Jacob Wengryn.
BP also featured a solid freshman class. Those ninth graders listed on the roster included: Peyton Capristo, Vincent Dongilli, Justin Gilmore, Maxwell Heller, Michael Kapusta, Zachary Lizun, Caleb Pierson and Connor Savrese.
In addition to the Bethel Park foursome of Burke, Dion, Hanson and Chorney, two members of the Peters Township boys’ volleyball team earned all-WPIAL honors. Seniors Zander Browell and Christina Fink gained third-team recognition as a middle hitter and libero respectively.
At the AA level, Braydon Griffiths earned third team honors. The Keystone Oaks senior was a 6-2 outside hitter.