PT, Derry Area to host in volleyball playoffs

The WPIAL boys volleyball playoff brackets were announced last week, and a pair of Westmoreland County teams will open the postseason on their home court. In Class 3A, Penn-Trafford garnered the best seed among the trio of Westmoreland County qualifiers, as the Warriors received the sixth seed, setting up a home contest against No. 11 Fox Chapel Area on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Warriors won the crown in Section 3 with a mark of 8-2. Norwin, which tied for second in the section at 7-3, was seeded ninth, as the Knights will play at No. 8 Peters Township on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Lastly, Hempfield Area, which also went 7-3 in section play, was seeded No. 10. Consequently, the Spartans will travel to play at seventh-seeded Upper St. Clair on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Meanwhile in Class 2A, Derry Area received the sixth seed, as the Trojans will welcome No. 11 Trinity on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Derry Area tied atop Section 2 with a record of 5-1.

Westmoreland LAX teams learn playoff seeds

On the girls side in Class 3A, Penn-Trafford and Norwin qualified. The Warriors finished third in Section 1, going 7-2-1. As a result, they garnered the fifth seed, creating a home matchup against Shady Side Academy on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Knights, who placed fifth in the section with a mark of 6-3-1, were seeded ninth. Thus, they will play at No. 8 Shaler Area on Tuesday at 7 p.m. In Class 2A, Franklin Regional advanced to postseason play. The Panthers placed second from Section 1 with a record of 9-1. Consequently, they earned the fifth seed, setting up a home matchup against No. 12 Seton LaSalle tonight at 7:30 p.m. In the boys Class 3A bracket, Hempfield Area made the cut after going 3-3 in Section 1. The Spartans received the eighth seed, and will play at top-seeded Mount Lebanon on Wednesday at 7 p.m. In Class 2A, Penn-Trafford and Greater Latrobe each qualified. The Warriors finished in fourth from Section 1, compiling a mark of 7-4. Thus, they were seeded seventh and will host No. 10 Quaker Valley on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Greater Latrobe, conversely, went 6-4 from the section, placing fifth. Greater Latrobe garnered the No. 11 seed, and will play at sixth seed Bethel Park on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Botta headlines Franklin Regional HOF

The Franklin Regional Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was revealed recently, with five athletes, one coach, a team, and a legacy selection earning the honors. Greg Botta, the legendary Panthers football head coach, will be among those enshrined. Botta guided FR for 27 years, compiling 177 wins, including WPIAL and PIAA titles in 2005. The athletes to be inducted include: Cheryl Ellison (Class of 1979 – basketball, volleyball, cross country); Kathy Nickel (83 – swimming); Kevin Shrout (96 – football, basketball, baseball); Courtney Biddle (99 – soccer, softball, basketball); and John Malecki (06 – football). The team that will be recognized is the 2014 wrestling squad, which won the WPIAL and PIAA championships. Lastly, Nick Orlic will be enshrined in the legacy category for his contributions to FR basketball. The inductees will be honored at the Franklin Regional football game on Aug. 28.

SHU’s McGuire, Williams garner top honors

After another stellar regular season, Seton Hill University baseball collected multiple awards in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Last Tuesday, Brady McGuire was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year, Sean Williams was honored as the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year, and Marc Marizzaldi was tabbed as the PSAC West Coach of the Year. Additionally, McGuire and Williams were selected as First-Team All-PSAC West at third base and starting pitcher, respectively, as was Owen Henne (shortstop), Jack Whalen (outfield), Mark Wechtenhiser (starting pitcher), and Christian Zilli (relief pitcher). Jakob Haynes (catcher) and Luke Deschenes (starting pitcher) were tabbed as Second-Team All-PSAC West. It’s the third All-PSAC West honor for Whalen, while Henne and Haynes are two-time honorees. Marizzaldi captured the Coach of the Year honors for the ninth time in his decorated career, as the Griffins have compiled a mark of 41-10, including 26-2 in the PSAC West. The Griffins commence the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional on Thursday at Millersville University.