SV volleyball back on track with sweep of Butler
JACKSON TWP — After losing to Section 2-3A heavyweights Shaler and North Allegheny last week by a combined score of 6-1, Seneca Valley’s boys volleyball team was hungry to get back to its winning ways.
The Raiders’ appetite was quenched with a dominating performance against visiting Butler on Tuesday as SV scored a sweep by scores of 25-19, 25-14 and 25-19.
“Last week was rough,” said SV coach Brett Poirier. “But everything was clicking tonight and when that’s the case, the guys are having fun and we feel like we can beat anybody.”
Butler (6-4, 3-3) entered the night riding high after knocking off Norwin, the 3rd-ranked team in the WPIAL, in four sets Monday night. But the Golden Tornado quickly found themselves on the wrong side of momentum against the Raiders.
SV used early kills from Matt Mirilovich, Matt Dudash and Nick Dunmire to open up a 9-2 lead in the first set, which featured kills from six different Raiders by its conclusion.
“We started off slow and just didn’t play well enough to win,” said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. “They (Raiders) dictated the flow the entire game and we were inconsistent with our sets and passes.”
The Raiders (6-3, 3-3) scored six of seven points to break open the second set with a 16-7 lead as Butler struggled to find consistency at the net.
“We did well with serve-receive and were playing great defense,” said senior Peter Breski. “A lot of our blocks weren’t going for points, but they were keeping the ball alive.”
The Golden Tornado held a 10-7 lead in the third set, but the Raiders, led by Breski and Jordan Hoover, controlled play in the second half.
Breski tallied four of his eight kills in the final set.
“He’s a setter, but we also play him on the outside because he hits so well and we need his blocking,” Poirier said.
Mirilovich added seven kills in the victory. Alec Teff totaled five kills for Butler and Maddox McCall added 15 digs.
Both teams open the second half of the section slate on Thursday. Butler travels to Pine-Richland while Seneca Valley hosts Fox Chapel.
Breski and his teammates are hoping for an improved showing over the next three weeks.
“We play on different club teams and I think it’s just a matter of getting more time together on the court,” he said.
