York Suburban boys’ volleyball shows talent, youth in loss to Manheim Central

The Trojans dropped three close sets to the powerhouse Barons on Monday in a possible District 3 Class 2A championship preview.

The York Suburban boys’ volleyball team knew two things as the Trojans took the floor Monday evening. They knew their clash against Manheim Central was a de facto match for the right to host a potential District 3 Class 2A final in a few weeks. But they also new the outcome, while significant, would be less important than winning a possible rematch.

With those two realities in mind, the Trojans battled the Barons tooth, nail and fist on their home court. An up-and-coming Suburban squad knew it wouldn’t be easy — Manheim Central, after all, was the district champion and state runner-up a season ago — but the Trojans showed they certainly have everything they need to take on the best in the state.

Well, almost.

Despite a spirited effort throughout the night, the Suburban boys showed their lack of experience in the moments that mattered. The hosts had a chance to win Sets 1 and 2 but saw the Barons rally back each time, including a heartbreaking fall after leading by two points late in the second. The Trojans came out a little flat to begin Set 3 and never were able to fully recover, as they dropped a hard-fought 25-23, 27-25, 25-22 contest against the No. 2 team in the latest statewide Class 2A coaches’ rankings.

“I would say our youth showed a little bit tonight,” Suburban coach Oliver Good said. “I think we need to continue to grow mentally and work through our growing pains and continue to progress as a team.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Trojans (13-2) is developing a mentally tough approach later in sets. Evidence of that was widely on hand Monday, as the Barons (14-0) seemed to turn on a switch late in each of the three frames.

“I don’t know what it is, but when the points get into the 20s, our guys just take over,” Manheim Central coach Craig Dietrich said. “It’s nerve-racking to watch as a coach, but it’s really fun to watch, too.”

The Barons have accumulated a lot of experience in these big-game situations over the past few years. That’s a trait that was also a hallmark of the great York Suburban teams of the past, but after somewhat of of a rebuilding season in 2024, that’s something most of the current Trojans roster lacks at this time.

“We know that they are a very solid team, a solid program that is well-coached,” Good said. “When you face a program like that, you just have to execute efficiently, and we have to continue to run our offense.”

At many points Monday, the Trojans showcased the type of team they have the potential of being. Truett Miller finished with a team-best 15 kills, while Trent Weinstein and Robert Berry combined for 17 kills.

The efficiency, however, is what Good was hoping to see, as a half-dozen or so hitting errors made a big difference in determining the outcome.

The silver lining for Trojans is that they will likely have an opportunity to earn a rematch come the District 3 tournament. To add even more to it, the Barons have been riddled with injuries throughout April but played just their fourth match all season with their entire lineup at full strength. Good’s team got a glimpse of its main competition in peak form, and the Trojans showed they could stand toe-to-toe with them.

“I think if the guys continue to buy in and clean up a couple of things, that will make us even better,” Good said. “And, hopefully, we’ll get another shot to see them down the road.”

The Trojans will close their regular season at York Catholic on Tuesday, then chase a York-Adams League title when that tournament starts May 12. The district playoffs begin May 20, and with Manheim Central and Suburban well clear of the field atop the 2A power rankings, a rematch would come in the district final May 29.