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Post by pavolleypro on Feb 12, 2019 16:13:07 GMT -5
OK, let’s get some facts out of the way before we get too far along. I am very aware CA>PA. Right now, Southern Cal is the hotbed and will probably be like that for the next 50 years. But after following VB for 50 plus years, the boy’s game has talent that is spreading throughout the entire country, which is great to see! Grow the game, right? The 2019 Pennsylvania boys VB season may be the most anticipated season since 2007 where it split into Big/Small divisions. More on that later. These are the things we know for certain right now.
2018 Final Rankings AA Enrollment 440 per class and under1 Northeastern 2 Manheim Central 3 Palmyra Area 4 Cambridge Springs 5 Ambridge Area 6 Derry Area 7 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic 8 Cochranton Area 9 York Suburban 10 Dock Mennonite Academy AAA Enrollment 441-2200 per class1 North Allegheny 2 Hempfield 3 Central York 4 Cumberland Valley 5 Bethel Park 6 Emmaus 7 Butler Area 8 Council Rock North 9 Central Bucks East 10 Whitehall
Returning 2018 All-State Players
2018 AA All-State Name School District Position/Height 2019 Class Commit Bowman , Nate York Suburban 3 MH 6’5” Senior Messiah Buck, Liam Ambridge 7 OH 6’7” Junior Miller, Aiden Meadville 10 OH Senior Nissley, Mason Manheim Central 3 OH Senior Messiah Sheaffer, Tyler Palmyra 3 OH Senior 2018 AAA All-State Name School District Position/Height 2019 Class Commit Colbert, Dylan Central Bucks East 1 OH 6’4” Senior Anderson, Brock Central York 3 S 6’0” Junior King, Jesse Cumberland Valley 3 LIB 5’10” Senior Liprando, Blake Cumberland Valley 3 OH 6’4” Senior St. Francis Richard, Braden Central York 3 OH 6’5” Senior St. Francis Finch, Alex Northeastern 3 MH Senior St. Francis Richards, Austin Northeastern 3 S Junior Cooley, Max Bethel Park 7 OH 6’0” Senior Herman, Jesse Whitehall 11 OH 6’0” Senior Now for the elephant in the room. For the first time, in a long time the AA race is wide open. I predicted Northeastern’s run of state championships to come to an end in 2016! I was wrong, but now I guarantee it. Northeastern is moving up to the Big School Division. A new champ will be crowned for the first time in 6 years. Hurray! As for the AAA, numerous questions abound. For years we have all heard the chatter about Northeastern. If they were AAA... how would they do??? So on and so forth. We will have to wonder know more! I will hold my predictions until I here from some others, but I can’t wait for the season to begin! I am working on some thumbnails of the top teams, coaches and top players, but I wanted to get this posted, before the BANE in Harrisburg. That’s where we will see some HS teams mixed in with the Regional teams trying for Bid tourneys. I was at the CAN AM, but the weather was so bad I didn't see the PA teams I wanted too. If I made any mistakes, let me know OR if you know of any other commits. March 4th is PIAA Spring start date. YES!!!
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Post by volletrain on Feb 12, 2019 19:19:19 GMT -5
Agreed! This is a exciting time for PA Volleyball. I'll take a stab at some predictions. AA Final Ambridge vs. York Suburban Winner: Ambridge AAA Final North Allegheny vs. Hempfield Winner: North Allegheny Both Titles will go to the west:(
Northeastern is final playing with the big boys now and it's over. No more gold!
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Post by TheReignman on Feb 13, 2019 12:05:02 GMT -5
Under the radar name to watch: Jared Piontkowski from Holy Redeemer. Small private school in my neck of woods in District II AA. Raw Athlete pushing 6'9 who is very explosive. Learning more every day. A near lock for All-State selection
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Post by lankykong on Feb 14, 2019 3:34:40 GMT -5
Under the radar name to watch: Jared Piontkowski from Holy Redeemer. Small private school in my neck of woods in District II AA. Raw Athlete pushing 6'9 who is very explosive. Learning more every day. A near lock for All-State selection What position? MB?
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Post by TheReignman on Feb 14, 2019 10:44:55 GMT -5
Under the radar name to watch: Jared Piontkowski from Holy Redeemer. Small private school in my neck of woods in District II AA. Raw Athlete pushing 6'9 who is very explosive. Learning more every day. A near lock for All-State selection What position? MB? Was playing MB last year, I suspect to see him on the RS this year. replacing multiple time All-State selection Ben Rachilla (currently at Quincy).
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Post by pavolleypro on Feb 16, 2019 10:48:27 GMT -5
Disclaimer- Please feel to add teams or edit info. I am just a old avid fan with many friends/contacts who are very close to major programs/areas on the East Coast.
AAA Team Thumbnails of my contenders for PIAA State Title
North Allegheny- One word description is “Huge”. They might be the premier Athletic program in PA. They are great at every sport and consistently have 15 plus athletes sign D1 commits a year. They win State Championships in just about every boys and girls sport!
Key All -State losses: Canyon Tuman OH-Starting at Penn State, AJ Schmidt S-St Francis Key returners: Alex Zubrow MB-Sr., Jeremiah Zemet MB-Sr., Trevor Treser OPP-Sr.
Notes: Lost a lot, but will just reload with huge numbers every year! Great coaching staff and travel and play a ton! Will have no problem controlling the middle of the court this year. They have a very, very talented Soph. class. Don’t be surprised if a few of them make it into the starting lineup, by mid-season. University of Mount Olive commit Trevor Treser is a great player with very strong defensive skills. He will be have a coming out party this year! Hempfield- One word description is “Improving”
Like NA, they have a great athletic program in every sport.
Key All -State losses: Ian Flood OH, Gavin Hanzelman MB, Mason Scott LIB Key Returners: Elliot De La Torre MB
Notes: They lost a ton too, but don’t reload like NA because they don’t get the numbers like NA. Every Hempfield team, gets better and better throughout year. When they are inexperienced, like this year, they will still be very good and play in District and League Finals. When they are experienced, they win State Titles. Mike Vogel has been doing it for a long time and is the second best coach in PA, in my humble opinion. They always play hard! Elliot De La Torre is a bear and should have been All-State last year. York Central- One word description is “Consistent”
Key All -State losses: Cole Johnson OH-UCLA Braden Richard OH-Sr., Brock Anderson S-Jr.
Notes: They are always in the mix and have some experience coming back. The biggest question for them is can anyone else take some of the pressure off Braden Richard?. The last two years, Cole Johnson was double and triple teamed, so he got lots of good swings. Who will step up? and how will he do now that he the main focus?. Brock Anderson is slight, but does a good job of running their crazy, crazy offensive scheme.
Northeastern- One word description is “Factory”
Key All -State losses: Cole Brilhart OH- Lewis commit, Jacob Cheuvront LIB, Wyatt Hughes OH Key Returners: Alex Finch MB-Sr., Austin Richards S-Jr.
Notes: They have a poor Athletic program and only really excel at Boy’s VB. Matt Wilson is the best coach in PA and does things no others teams do. They always get better by leaps and bounds throughout the season. Austin Richards is easily the best setter in the state and, for my money the best player too. Alex Finch is talented, but slight. They too have a very, very talented Soph. class and like NA. Don’t be surprised if a few of them are starting by mid season, as well. They lost a ton of scoring, but always seem to develop talent like no one else in the state. Sometimes you can get them early, but no one ever seems to get them late, when it counts.
Cumberland Valley- One word description is “Not Deep” Sorry, I cheated
Key All -State losses: Josh Titus S Key Returners: Blake Liprando OH-Sr., Jesse King LIB-Sr.
Notes: Blake Liprando most polished hitter in PA. He is a complete player who is used to seeing double/triple teams and still scores! St. Francis is getting a great one who is college ready now! Jesse King is super steady, but unfortunately they just can’t seem to get enough other good players to push them in to a title. Because have the great hitter and solid Libero, they could be the dark horse and make a run this year! AA coming soon kids!!
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Post by akbar on Feb 16, 2019 12:10:42 GMT -5
Was playing MB last year, I suspect to see him on the RS this year. replacing multiple time All-State selection Ben Rachilla (currently at Quincy). PLEASE tell me he has an armswing! These kids today are getting crushed by playing soccer, football (non QB), lacrosse and never playing youth baseball or tennis growing up. Parents of the world......even if your boy doesn't like baseball just play catch in the backyard would be helpful.
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wavepops
Club
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
Posts: 21
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Post by wavepops on Feb 17, 2019 10:05:48 GMT -5
See you all at Nationals.
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Post by volletrain on Feb 17, 2019 13:53:00 GMT -5
Was playing MB last year, I suspect to see him on the RS this year. replacing multiple time All-State selection Ben Rachilla (currently at Quincy). PLEASE tell me he has an armswing! These kids today are getting crushed by playing soccer, football (non QB), lacrosse and never playing youth baseball or tennis growing up. Parents of the world......even if your boy doesn't like baseball just play catch in the backyard would be helpful. Amen Akbar!!!!! If I see one more Adonis, peel off 15 layers, roll every muscle in their body, do every stretch possible, and then run up and hit the ball like they were in a phone booth. I'm going to puke.
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Post by bealzabubba on Feb 17, 2019 22:25:52 GMT -5
Parents of the world......even if your boy doesn't like baseball just play catch in the backyard would be helpful. Amen Akbar!!!!! If I see one more Adonis, peel off 15 layers, roll every muscle in their body, do every stretch possible, and then run up and hit the ball like they were in a phone booth. I'm going to puke.
This. All day long. We always want to recruit the Basketball guys b/c height, but... baseball skills translate well, too: We had a Sr. 6'4/220lb kid start showing up to V practice recently; kid's going to dual sport. He hasn't played in HS, but had 2 years of club (SCVA). Technically, he's meh - looks around a bit too much, like the deer in a headlight. HOWEVER: Kid's a D1 commit to a major private uni, full ride in baseball, as a pitcher (low 90's // backup at 3b) His standing topspin serve is freaking insane - it looks faster than the t/s's I saw at UCLA/BYU. Quick's? You're looking at a concussion if you get in his way. Blocking? lateral movement is lightning, and he has hops. This is an extreme example - this kid could excel at anything he tries, but... the basic skills acquired in other sports do translate. OT: as a SoCal homer, I'm enjoying reading this thread, pavolleypro. Love reading about how the game is growing in your area.
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Post by volletrain on Feb 18, 2019 14:13:04 GMT -5
So many parents want their kid to specialize too soon!! Many D1 Athletic programs prefer multi-sport athletes.
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Post by pavolleypro on Feb 18, 2019 14:23:35 GMT -5
Disclaimer- Please post any correction and/or mistakes. I am not a sports writer or expert. AA- Team Thumbnails of my contenders for PIAA State TitleAA is wide, wide open, in my opinion. Just about every team in the 2018 final rankings has to replace at least 4 starters. Lots of questions for each team for sure. Exciting for fans, coaches are stressed already!I gave up on the one word descriptions. Sorry too hard:)
Manheim Central- No longer just a Football school. Key All -State losses: Ben Burkart S, Tanner Stauffer OPP. Stevenson Key returners: Mason Nissley OH Sr. Notes: They were decimated by graduation losing 5 starters. Mason Nissley is really good and is super at the service line, but they have lots to replace. Common theme in AA. Coach Craig Dietrich has done a super job in just a few short years. They lost in the state final basically had a 7-8 player rotation of all seniors and Nissley. He will have to summon all his powers to get them back to the title game! But it they have as good a shot as anyone.
Ambridge- Best tradition now that Northeastern is gone. Key All -State losses: Devin Deshong MB. Key returners: Liam Buck OH Jr. Notes: Coach Glenn Freed is outstanding. Liam Buck is the best player in AA and has big time offers just about everywhere. If you were to assembly a VB player, he would probably look like Buck. However, he’s is also a excellent Basketball player too, and Ambridge could make a deep run in the PIAA Bball playoffs and he may start VB late. Like everyone else they lost a ton, but unfortunately, had a very poor JV team last year. Coach Freed has a few kids traveling hard with Beaver Valley Premier, but I’m not sure they are ready for prime time. If anyone can replace 5 starters and make it to the AA final it’s Freed. Derry Area- Where are they?? Key All -State losses:None Key returners: None Notes: Unlike just about everyone else in AA, they have 4 starters returning! However, I am fairly certain, none of them are playing Club. So I can’t really be fair, because I have not seen they play a ton. We will find out quick if they are a contender, because the open the season hosting Northeastern.
Palmyra- Have become really good, really quickly. Key All -State losses: Joey McInerney MB, Collin Nissley OPP. Key returners: Tyler Sheaffer OH Sr. Notes: Coach Clark Sheaffer has, also, done a super job in just a few 5 short years. They return Tyler Sheaffer OH/S a setter which none of the previous teams written about do, so that’s a huge plus. They have a few players traveling and playing Club with Prevail, but like Ambridge, I’m not sure if they are ready. Excellent addition to PA Volleyball!! York Suburban-Will they take over York Country’s strangle hold on AA? Key All -State losses:None Key returners: Nate Bowman MB Notes: The two teams who had a party on Northeastern’s move to AAA are Suburban and Holy Redeemer. Both teams seem to always run into that buzz saw in the playoffs. Suburban has been very good in the past but just could not break through to the top. Nate Bowman is probably the only kid in AA, with the size and skill, who can slow Liam Buck down. They make a commitment a few years ago to keep their team together for club season too! This may be the one thing that pushes them past this wide open field. Seton LaSalle- New comer/ contender? Key All -State losses:None Key returners: None Notes: They have been the talk my area western PA recently. Many people do not know who they are, but they will by the end of the year. They have the best player no one knows about and he will have a huge year. Nathan Zini a 6'7" OH So. was on the USA A-1 Select team last year and is playing with Exile this club season. Huge upside! My biggest question with them is their schedule. It is not posted on their website and I know they don’t play in many of the big tournaments. Those tournaments prepare you exponentially for the post season.
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Post by TheReignman on Feb 18, 2019 14:42:10 GMT -5
Tanner Stauffer not at Palmyra. He is currently Freshman at Stevenson University who graduated from Manheim Central last year. Schaeffer son is RS/S for Palmyra who would be player to watch
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Post by pavolleypro on Feb 18, 2019 14:49:44 GMT -5
TheReignman, Thanks so much! I have edited their info!
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Post by volletrain on Feb 19, 2019 23:03:19 GMT -5
Two more PA 2019 commits that I know of.
Trevor Treser NA University of Mount Olive Nate Bowman Suburban Messiah
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