Sports
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on June 10, 2025: North Allegheny, Shaler set for boys volleyball state semifinals
By: Don Rebel Monday, June 9, 2025 | 8:46 PM North Allegheny’s Elijah Braun hits against Palmyra’s Johnny Moran during a PIAA Class 6A first-round match June 3. From 2011-2022, the North Allegheny boys volleyball program reached the PIAA championship match in every season but three. The Tigers did not qualify for the 2012, 2015 […]
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Monday, June 9, 2025 | 8:46 PM
North Allegheny’s Elijah Braun hits against Palmyra’s Johnny Moran during a PIAA Class 6A first-round match June 3.
From 2011-2022, the North Allegheny boys volleyball program reached the PIAA championship match in every season but three.
The Tigers did not qualify for the 2012, 2015 and 2016 Class 3A state finals.
The Tigers also missed out the last two years but are one victory away from returning to the PIAA title match.
On Tuesday, North Allegheny (17-1) will battle District 3 runner-up Central York (17-2) at 5 p.m. at Bald Eagle with audio on Trib HSSN.
The Tigers’ only loss this season was a section setback to District 7 runner-up Seneca Valley.
The Panthers lost to Northeastern York in the regular season and fell to Cumberland Valley in the District 3 finals.
In the PIAA postseason, North Allegheny has ousted Palmyra and Penn-Trafford while Central York has knocked off Seneca Valley and Spring-Ford.
In the other 3A boys volleyball semifinal Tuesday, Governor Mifflin (19-1) from District 3 takes on D-3 champion Cumberland Valley (20-0) at 7 p.m. at Penn Manor.
Looking for a third return
The reason North Allegheny has missed out on the PIAA 3A championship match the last two years is because Shaler has become a district power.
The Titans won the WPIAL 3A title in 2023 and 2024 and played for state gold both years, losing to Parkland in 2023 and upending the Trojans in a 2024 rematch.
This season, Shaler continued its dominance on the spring hardcourt, but the damage was caused in Class 2A after moving down in classification in the offseason.
The Titans won a third straight district crown last month and are now a win away from returning to the PIAA finals at Penn State.
WPIAL champ Shaler (18-1) will challenge undefeated District 10 winner Meadville (17-0) at 6 p.m. at Sharon.
The Titans knocked off Saegertown and Brandywine Heights in the state playoffs this season while the Bulldogs have been winners over South Fayette and Ambridge.
In the other 2A state semifinal, District 11 champion Manheim Central (21-0) will face District 3 runner-up in a D-3 title rematch at 5 p.m. at Penn Manor.
And then there was one
The WPIAL had four boys and three girls lacrosse teams win in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs; however, the lucky seven from District 7 were not as fortunate in the state quarterfinals.
Six district teams saw their seasons come to an end, leaving only one.
WPIAL Class 3A boys lacrosse runner-up Shady Side Academy (14-9) goes up against District 1 runner-up Radnor (19-4) at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Soldiers and Sailors Park in Mechanicsburg.
The Bulldogs have stunned a pair of district champions to reach the PIAA final four.
Shady Side Academy first won at District 6 champ State College, 11-9, then upended District 3 winner Manheim Township in the quarterfinals, 11-8.
Radnor is coming off an 11-2 quarterfinal victory over WPIAL 3A boys champion Mt. Lebanon.
In the other boys 3A semifinal, District 1 champion Springfield-Delco (22-1) goes up against District 12 champ LaSalle College (18-5) at 6 p.m. at West Chester Henderson.