Local teams begin quest for PIAA supremacy
The PIAA tournament kicks off this evening with action in girls volleyball.
Waynesburg Central dropped its lone match of the season in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals to Avonworth (18-4) in a 3-1 setback on Nov. 4, but defeated Seton LaSalle, 3-1, in the consolation final on Nov. 7 to finish third in the district.
The Raiders (19-1) had already clinched their second-straight berth in the state tournament by reaching the final four, but its triumph over the Rebels (17-5) assured a favorable matchup in the first round, as Waynesburg travels to New Paris to face District 5 Champion Chestnut Ridge (8-13) at 6 p.m.
The winner of the match will face either Freeport (21-0) or Franklin (16-5) in the quarterfinals on Nov. 14 at a site and time to be determined.
The Yellowjackets won the WPIAL title with a sweep over the Antelopes, while the Knights were the District 10 runners-up.
The semifinals will be contested on Nov. 17 and the final on Nov. 21 at Saint Francis University in Loretto. The first serve is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Frazier fell to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) in the WPIAL Class 2A Final, 3-1, but the Commodores (18-4) had already qualified for the state tournament by reaching the semifinals, where they rallied to upset Fort Cherry, 3-2. The Rangers (19-2) had previously defeated Frazier, 3-0, in the regular season.
The Commodores will head north to Strattanville and face District 9 Champion Clarion Limestone (18-2) in the first round of the state tournament. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The winner will advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday against District 10 Champion Maplewood (16-1) or District 6 Runner-Up Northern Cambria (16-4) at a site and time to be determined. The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 17 and the championship match is set for Nov. 21 at Saint Francis. The first serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Belle Vernon was the lone local boys soccer program to qualify for the state tournament, as the Leopards went on a run to earn their first WPIAL championship in program history.
Belle Vernon entered the district tournament as the No. 10 seed and disposed of No. 7 Beaver, 4-2, before a 2-1 victory in extra time over No. 2 Deer Lakes to assure itself a spot in the PIAA Class 2A championship.
The Leopards continued their strong run with a 2-0 win over No. 3 North Catholic to reach the title match against No. 9 Quaker Valley.
Belle Vernon’s Jordan Jerome sent a header into the goal against the Quakers for a 1-0 triumph in the second period of extra time.
The Leopards (15-1-2) will host District 5 Champion Somerset (14-2-4) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The winner will advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals against District 6 Champion Westmont Hilltop (17-1-3) or the Trojans (18-2-2) at a site and time to be determined.
The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 17 and the final will be contested on Nov. 21 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. Kickoff for the championship match is set for 4 p.m.