JACKSON TWP — The celebratory roar that came out of Seneca Valley’s William Paul Gymnasium on Friday was heard across the entire state.

SV’s boys volleyball team took down Shaler, the top-ranked team in Pennsylvania, with a 3-1 decision.

From kills and blocks to assists and digs, everyone who saw the court contributed for the Raiders.

Seneca Valley boys volleyball players, from left, Matthew Dudash, Grant Hoover, Jordan Hoover and Peter Breski celebrate a crucial point against Shaler on Friday. SV defeated the Titans, the top-ranked team in the state, 3-1. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

“That’s how it has to be against a team like Shaler,” said Raiders coach Brett Poirier. “They handle the ball so well and have no weaknesses. You have to get them out of their system.”

That system was working well early on for the Titans, who jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first set. The Raiders rebounded to close the gap, but still lost 25-22.

“We were just four of our first 40 on kill attempts,” said Poirier. “We couldn’t have played any worse and we lost by just three points.”

Seneca Valley #22 Matthew DeGraaf celebrates a point against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Boys Volleyball game at Seneca Valley. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

The second set could have followed the same script as the Raiders (11-3, 8-2) were staring at a 12-6 deficit. Sophomore outside hitter Matthew Dudash, a junior varsity player, entered the game and provided a spark, aiding a rally that led to a 25-23 victory.

Dudash finished the night with eight kills and the Raiders closed the victory by winning the third and fourth sets by scores of 25-20 and 25-16, respectively.

“He was playing so well, I couldn’t take him out,” exclaimed Poirier. “He stepped in and was phenomenal.”

Dudash was not happy with the way his night began.

Seneca Valley #32 Steven Mazur celebrates on the bench a point against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Boys Volleyball game at Seneca Valley. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

“We lost the JV match, 2-0, and I did not play well,” he said. “We had some changes in our lineup tonight and I thought there was a chance I could be called in to play varsity.

“I had played a few varsity points before, but this was the first time I played in full sets. I was a little nervous when I took the court, but once you get out there, you’re not thinking too much, just playing. It feels great to contribute to a win like this.”

Seneca Valley #23 Matthew Cinker digs a ball against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Boys Volleyball game at Seneca Valley on Friday. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

The Raiders opened up a 16-8 lead in the third set and withstood four straight points from the Titans (11-1, 9-1) that included kills from Peyton Planz and Zac Wurzer. There would be no such rally in the fourth set as SV limited Shaler to just three points with the serve.

Seneca Valley celebrates after beating Shaler 3-1 in a WPIAL Class 3A Boys Volleyball game at Seneca Valley on Friday. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Grant Hoover paced SV with 21 kills, including seven in the final set. Steve Mazur and Peter Breski combined for 42 assists and Jordan Hoover had nine kills and four blocks.

Joey Gannon tallied 11 kills for Shaler.

SV has two Section 2-3A games remaining, Tuesday at North Allegheny and at home against Butler on Thursday.

Seneca Valley #27 Peter Breski sets the ball against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Boys Volleyball game at Seneca Valley on Friday, May 5, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

“This section is so tough, you can’t take a night off,” Poirier said. “We just played North Hills, beat them 3-1, but they tested us the entire night.”