Hometown Volleyball Match Recap: Bethel Park Black Hawks 3 – WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS 1

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 4, 2013 | 12:48 AM

At West Allegheny High School the Bethel Park Blackhawks win a AAA Section 5 match over the West Allegheny Indians by a 3-1 match score.

It was Dig Pink Nite at West A. The girls all wore tye dye warm ups with the statement "two teams, one cause" as the night was a way to raise funds for fighting breast cancer. Youth cheerleaders were in attendance and formed a gauntlet for the Indians as they were announced to the crowd, there were raffles, and bake sales and the whole West Allegheny community supported the cause.

When the match started West A played a strong first game. After a 1-1 tie The Indians never trailed. Leading the way was Rachel Buck as she was strong on the back line defense and had a strong serve stretching an 8-5 lead to 12-5. Despite Bethel Park improving near the end of game one and cutting the lead to 21-19, the Indians held on for a 25-22 win in the first game.

Unfortunately that was the high point for the Indians as the Blackhawks would control the next 3 games winning 25-16, 25-15, and 25-16. The Blackhawks stepped up the offensive pressure, played well on defense and forced West A into making numerous errors. "I was proud of the fight my girls had tonite, but Bethel Park is just better than us." Head coach Brian Begor said afterward. "We don't match up well with their height and can't make errors against them"

The Blackhawks had strong play from their SR star Stacey Kazalas. Offensively she was a force at the net, and her booming serve kept the Indians on the defensive all night.

The Indians fall to 5-4 in the section after consecutive losses to Mt.Lebanon and now Bethel. They still hold on to 3rd place in the section as they try to hold off both Baldwin and Montour. With three section games remaining against Montour, Chartiers Valley, and Moon, all teams West A has previously beaten this season, it looks like the Indians have the inside track to a playoff berth in AAA after missing out on the post season last year.

Sophomore Libero Alyssa Placha one of the youngest regulars in the Indian rotation said while being interviewed after the match. "I was on JV last year and worked hard over the summer to earn a staring spot this year, it feels good to be able to help this team get better and set an example for the younger kids"

Tags: Bethel Park, West Allegheny