Bethel Park aims high in volleyball
Bethel Park junior hitters Caleb Pierson (No. 23) and Connor Savrese (No. 13) rise up to block a shot by Peters Township during Section 1-AAA boys’ volleyball action. The Hawks swept the Indians in three games, 25-21, 25-20, 25-23, to remain undefeated in the league.
Bethel Park senior Andy Wagner fires up his teammates during player introductions before the volleyball match with Peters Township.
Max Cooley serves during Bethel Park’s volleyball match against Upper St. Clair. The freshman helped the Hawks sweep the Panthers, 3-0.
Lofty goals. Bethel Park has them for the boys’ volleyball season. To tread where no squad from the school has gone, the Hawks have their work carved out for themselves. Despite some injuries, line-up adjustments and growing pains, the Hawks are rounding into the form that should make them contenders for the WPIAL title and perhaps a PIAA championship.
After last weeks sweeps of Upper St. Clair and Peters Township, the Hawks improved to 4-0 in Section 1-AAA. They are 5-0 overall in match play. In addition, they have two tournaments under their belt, finishing runner-up to Norwin, 29-27, in the season-opening event and competing in the Fox Chapel classic this past weekend, capturing the championship with a 25-21 triumph over Beaver County Christian School in the finals.
Tournaments proved a welcome break from league battles against neighboring rivals. For example, Fox Chapel was an opportunity to see other teams that BP may see down the road in the playoffs, particularly Penn-Trafford, which is ranked third in the WPIAL. In addition to the host Foxes and Altoona, the tournament showcased some of the top teams from Distict 10 in the PIAA.
BP finished second behind Central York in pool play. The Hawks then beat the host Foxes, 25-17, in the quarterfinals and Pine-Richland, 25-19, in the semifinals to reach the championship match.
“We did better than I was expecting,” said head coach Tom Allman, “because the Hawks competed without some of their middle hitters. The kids were excited.”
Allman further explained his excitement regarding the Fox Chapel event. “We schedule these tournaments to see what is out there in preparation for the playoffs. It’s good to see other teams than the teams you always play in section. When you play out of section, you have a chance to see what’s out there and how you stack up.”
Even as they round into peak condition, the Hawks stack up as one of the best teams in Pennsylvania. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the district. Additionally, they have history on their side, having reached the Final Four in the WPIAL for the past three years, finishing as runner-up in 2013. BP boasts the best player in the district in Jake Dixon as well as an all-WPIAL setter in Brandon Thorsen. Both are seniors.
A four-year letterwinner, Dixon garnered WPIAL MVP honors in 2015. An all-state hitter, he also earned a scholarship to Lewis University, which was the NCAA Division I runner-up in 2015.
“I have known Jake since he was in the fourth grade and he would come to my practices and shagged balls for the team,” said Allman of the duo’s long-term relationship. “I knew he would turn into a good player but I never dreamed he would be as good as he is.” Noting his 26 years of coaching experience, Allman added, “(Jake) is the best player I have seen in high school in a very long time. He is the best I have ever had and he is a great leader and role model as well.”
Thorsen fits that mold as well. Like Dixon, he is a four-year letterwinner. Plus, he has been a teammate of Dixon’s on the boys’ basketball team. He, too, is a high-honor roll student, maintaining a 4.3 GPA.
“Brandon is a fantastic player and makes the difference on our team,” Allman said. “He’s had a major impact on our team and he is a leader on and off the court.”
In his own way, Andy Wagner is a trailblazer on the squad. A special-needs student, he has been on the team for four years. In addition to occasionally getting into contests, Wagner participates in all team activities, including pre-game dinners. Players also make sure he has rides to events.
“Andy is an absolutely awesome kid and the boys love him to death,” said Deb Dongilli, whose son, Vincent is a junior setter on the team. “Andy enhances (the players’) lives everyday.”
According to Allman, Wagner also enhances the Hawks’ play. Agreeing that he is “loved” by the team, Allman added, “Andy has been an inspirational leader for us as a team. With him, Jake and Brandon’s leadership, we are hoping to take this team to places we have never been before. And reach heights that we haven’t been able to achieve over the last four years,” he added.
Allman stressed the importance of Thorsen’s and Dixon’s on-court leadership as well as their experience in other athletic endeavors. “It is very important that both Brandon and Jake guide this team,” he said. “Then hopefully the end is where we want to be.”
In the end, BP triumphed over section rival USC, 3-0, because of the Hawks’ flexibility. Max Cooley filled in nicely for outside hitter Michael Kapusta, who continues to recover from an injury. According to Allman, the freshman played “very well” for his second match. Cooley played the Thursday prior because Dixon was out with an illness. Against USC, Zach Lizun was also sidelined with a leg injury. Jake Wengryn filled in for the Hawks’ No. 1 middle hitter.
“We played just alright against USC. We could have played better,” Allman said. “But with all the scrambling we did with the line-up to field a team we did alright. We need to improve in a lot of areas, but we need to get back healthy and progress through good practice habits and better match play.”
In follow-up action, BP, indeed, demonstrated progress against Peters Township. The Hawks swept the Indians in three games, 25-21, 25-20, 25-23.
“We are getting back to normal,” Allman said after the match against the Indians. “Peters has a nice team with a nice offense so it was good to see how our defense did against a good offense. There are some things we need to clean up a bit though. We had some breakdowns in communication. But it was a good match against a good opponent.”
At Fox Chapel, the Hawks faced many good clubs but the event was tournament style. WPIAL and PIAA tournaments are match play.
“We are not a tournament team,” noted Allman. “We are a match-play team. But, it’s good to see what other teams have.”
The Hawks have plenty on their side, including seniors Michael Horgan, Joe Karras, Anthony Magnu and Derek Miller. They provide more that just leadership. Horgan, Magnu and Miller are defensive specialists while Karras is an outside hitter.
In addition to Dongilli, a setter, Peyton Capristo, Maxwell Heller, Caleb Pierson and Connor Savrese are key contributors as juniors. Heller and Capristo are defensive specialists while Pierson and Savrese are outside and middle hitters respectively.
Dylan Schanck is the sole sophomore. He doubles as a middle and outside hitter.
Bryan Kimola, a freshman, is the team’s student manager.
While the Hawks have the makings of a champion, Allman cautions the process takes time.
“We have a long way to go to meet the ‘team’s expectations’ for their season,” he said. “We sat down as a team and the players built their goals and how each one of them can contribute for the team to be a success. It will be a great growth experience for them as high school student ahletes to learn this process for their future.
“This makes me proud of this team and what they have the opportunity to do for themselves,” Allman continued. “Hopefully with luck and some good health, we can go forward and prove ourselves, even with the ‘target on our backs.'”