York Suburban, Northeastern and Dover vie for PIAA boys' volleyball gold

York, PA - In recent years, Penn State University's Multi-Sport Facility has been a fruitful destination for YAIAA boys' volleyball teams.

Last year, it hosted Central York's run to the PIAA Class AAA championship.

The year before that, Northeastern left State College with a Class AA title.

Starting today, three teams will try to become the York-Adams area's third state champion in as many years, when the PIAA boys' volleyball championships get under way. York Suburban, Northeastern and Dover will all participate in Class AA pool play, beginning at 9 a.m. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for Saturday. Click here for live coverage from State College.

Here's a look at each of the three YAIAA teams still alive:
 

York Suburban

If one local team arrives in State College bearing the burden of expectations, it's the Trojans. Suburban won the YAIAA and District 3 tournaments, and has been ranked the No. 1 Class AA team in the state most of the season by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

The Trojans have handled the bull's eye quite well so far, led by a deep group of hitters and senior setter Kody Deiter.

"We've talked about that -- whether it's earned or not, it's there," Suburban coach Jamie Evans said of the team's ranking. "So let's prove that we deserve it and know that everyone else is coming after that spot.

"There's been a lot of tough situations through the season that we've pulled through, so I think that gives them confidence."

Suburban will be joined in its bracket by league foe Northeastern, along with Bethlehem Catholic and Derry. The Trojans and Bobcats will play in the day's first pool play match at 9 a.m. Suburban beat Northeastern, 3-1, in the league tournament championship, and swept the Bobcats in the district semifinals.
  
 
 

Northeastern

Consistency has been the Bobcats' buzzword this season. Northeastern's underclassmen-laden lineup has proven itself both undeniably talented and often unpredictable.

Case in point: Bobcats coach Matt Wilson said he was pleased with his team's play at the district tournament, where it earned a third-place finish. Then Wilson watched his team struggle during a 3-1 win over Northern Cambria on Tuesday.

"I could just tell our level of play was not state-caliber," the coach said. "We'll be 0-3 coming out of here if we do that again."

Wilson emphasized defense as an area his team needs to focus on.

The Bobcats will be making their ninth-straight PIAA championship appearance. But this will be the most inexperienced group Wilson has bought to State College during his tenure.

"In terms of how we'll react to tomorrow?" Wilson said. "I'll be frank. I'm not sure."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dover

The Eagles will have one factor in their favor: Experience. Dover qualified for PIAA tournament pool play last year, only to go 0-3 and fail to advance to the semifinals.

Still, the Eagles' seven seniors -- led by 6-foot-3 outside hitter Ryan Lamparter -- will be able to call on the lessons of that trip this time around.

"I think they're more relaxed than last year," Dover coach Chris Kennedy said. "For us, just getting there was the goal (last year). It showed when we played. We were tight, timid and didn't know what to expect."

Dover will open pool play today against Ambridge, followed by matchups with Holy Redeemer and Cochranton.

Kennedy said he's happy with his team's level of play heading into the final weekend.

"It seems like we're peaking at the right moment," he said.

@johnsclayton; 771-2045