Girls Volleyball Class 4A Semifinal Preview
Although three out of the four semifinalist flirted with danger in the quarterfinal round, the top four seeds prevailed and will meet tonight for the right to go to the WPIAL Championship Game on Saturday at Fox Chapel High School.
Both games are neutral site games and will be played as a doubleheader at the same location.
No. 1 North Allegheny Tigers (17-0) vs. No. 4 Oakland Catholic Eagles (13-4) At North Hills, 7:30 p.m.
As expected, the top-seed Tigers had no issues with No. 9 Butler in the quarterfinal round. It was the third win against the Golden Tornado this year, all resulting in sweeps. The win was the 41st straight for North Allegheny. In last year’s semifinal round, the Tigers defeated Hempfield, 3-0. This week, North Allegheny had five players named to the first-team all-section with sophomores Paige Miller and Paige Morningstar, junior Abby Miller and seniors Anna Sprys and Allena Carmody getting the nod. Senior Avery Tuman was an honorable mention…Oakland Catholic survived its quarterfinal matchup against Bethel Park, 3-2. In the fifth set, the Eagles pulled away for a 15-9 win and their third of the season against the Black Hawks. This is Oakland Catholic’s first semifinal appearance since 2012. They got swept by Mt. Lebanon that year. The Eagles had two players named to the Section 2 first-team in junior hitter Taylor Cigna and senior setter Nina Fratto. Senior libero Gabi DeRenzo was named to the second team…In the first meeting of the season, North Allegheny swept Oakland Catholic at home on Sept. 17.
No. 2 Baldwin Fighting Highlanders (14-1) vs. No. 3 Pine-Richland Rams (12-4) At North Hills, 6 p.m.
Baldwin survived a scare from No. 10 Shaler in the quarterfinal round, pulling out a 3-2 win. They outlasted the Titans in the fifth set, 15-11. The Fighting Highlanders responded after suffering their lone loss in the final match of the season against Bethel Park. Baldwin is making its second semifinal appearance in three years. In 2016, they defeated Bethel Park, 3-0, to advance to the finals. The Fighting Highlanders are led by their one first-team all-section nominee, junior hitter Allison Murray. Head Coach Chris Kelly was also named the Section Coach of the Year…Pine-Richland survived a five-set thriller of its own in the quarterfinals, defeating No. 6 Norwin. The win gave the Rams its first semifinal appearance since 2012. They received two first-team all-section picks with seniors Michaela Pettinato and Maddie Schieder. The Rams also had two second team picks with juniors Maryellen Berger and Grace Kristofic. Three more were honorable mentions with freshman Sophie Catalano and juniors Jiley Berger and Marin Laffey…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
For a complete look at the Class 4A bracket, click here.