Bishop Canevin wins fifth straight WPIAL volleyball title
Bishop Canevin (24-1) became the first school since Farrell to win five consecutive WPIAL girls volleyball titles when the Crusaders topped Greensburg Central Catholic, 3-1, during the Class A finals held Nov. 6 at the UPMC Events Center on the campus of Robert Morris University.
After GCC (14-4) dominated the first set 25-15, the top-seeded Crusaders recovered and swept the next three games, 25-19, 25-21, 25-20, to claim their seven WPIAL banner.
Canevin also won championships in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. They were playing in their 10th consecutive final.
The Centurions, who were pursuing their fourth WPIAL trophy, claimed titles in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Farrell was the last school to win five straight WPIAL girls volleyball titles, rattling off six straight from 1999 to 2005.
The Crusader-Centurion battle was a rematch of the 2020 title match. Canevin also beat GCC, 3-0, during the regular season.
This time, the Crusaders overcame the 1-0 deficit with a wire-to-wire triumph in the second set. They then scored sixth straight to cap the win in game three. A six-point advantage was Canevin’s largest in the deciding match that ultimately secured the trophy, 25-20.
Olivia Thomas led Canevin with 13 kills. Sani Jones provided 33 assists.
Rebecca Hess led the Centurions with 23 kills and 4 aces.
Canevin swept its way into the finals, winning its first three playoff matches by 3-0 scores. The Crusaders beat Cornell and Fort Cherry in the opening rounds then defeated Leechburg in the semifinals.
Canevin, along with GCC and Leechburg, all qualified for the PIAA tournament. The state championship match is set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Cumberland Valley High School.