High School Volleyball: Mt. Lebanon falls short in title quest

Sunday, June 03, 2001 http://www.post-gazette.com/highschoolsports/

From staff and wire reports

After the first game of the PIAA boys' volleyball final yesterday at Shippensburg University's Heiges Fieldhouse, it looked as if Mt. Lebanon would earn its first title.

Mt. Lebanon had defeated Hempfield from Landisville in District 3, 15-12. But the Black Knights rallied behind Ben Murray to win the next two games, 15-8, 15-11, and captured the PIAA title.

For Hempfield, it is the fourth PIAA boys' volleyball championship in eight years. The Black Knights also won titles in 1994, '96 and '97.

Murray, a 6-foot-4 senior who was second team all-state last year, had 26 kills in the match. With the score of the third and deciding game tied, 11-11, Hempfield scored four consecutive points for the victory. Hempfield ended the season undefeated in 29 matches.

Layne Dreven was Mt. Lebanon's leader in the final with 18 kills. Teammate Kevin Wentzel added 17. Hempfield and Mt. Lebanon were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association going into the PIAA tournament.

Mt. Lebanon (22-2), the WPIAL champion, advanced to the championship for the first time with a thrilling, 6-15, 15-10, 17-15, victory Friday night against defending PIAA champion Maplewood, which was undefeated entering the quarterfinals. Maplewood (21-2) was second to Hempfield in Pool A play Friday. Hempfield handed Maplewood its first loss of the season in pool play in going 3-0.

Mt. Lebanon was first in Pool B play, going 3-0, with Upper St. Clair, the WPIAL's No. 4 team, second. Other teams in Pool B were Chambersburg and Souderton. Upper St. Clair lost to Hempfield, 15-11, 15-8, in the other semifinal.

WPIAL runner-up North Allegheny also was in Pool A play, along with Bethlehem Freedom. North Allegheny fell behind Hempfield, 8-2, then got hot and took a 9-8 lead. But Hempfield showed its strength and determination, coming back for a 15-10 first-game win.

Hempfield, the District 3 champion, finished with a 59-0 record, counting tournament play. Maplewood is the District 10 champion.