Semis are sweet for Derry volleyball, but Trojans eye title match

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, May 20, 2018 | 6:51 PM

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Derry's boys volleyball team is back in a familiar place: the WPIAL Class AA semifinals.

The Trojans, in the semifinals for the sixth time in the last seven years, hope to get back to Thursday's championship match for the first time since 2014. To do that, they'll have to get past Montour at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at North Allegheny

“It never gets old making it to the semifinals,” Derry coach Shawn Spencer said. “Certainly, we want to take advantage of the opportunity this year. Hopefully, we'll be able to do that.”

Last year, Derry's WPIAL championship quest came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Beaver County Christian School in the semis.

“I think that taste lingers a little bit. Last year, I don't think anybody expected us to make a run,” Spencer said. “This year, I think expectations are a little higher. The kids are pretty motivated to make it to the finals. That was one of the goals we set at the beginning of the year. I don't think we'll lack the effort or determination in getting there.”

The top-seeded Trojans (14-3) beat the Spartans, 3-0, during the final week of the regular season.

“We played them on our home court, and home matches are a more comfortable situation than going on the road,” Spencer said. “This will be a different scenario. Montour has seen us as we have seen them. We expect they will make some adjustments and give us their best shot.”

Derry won 3-1 at second-seeded Ambridge that same week for a boost heading into the playoffs.

“I think the kids found out they are capable of competing with just about anybody,” Spencer said. “We've been in some tough matches and came out on top in most of them. Anytime you're dealing with adversity and can come out on top, I think it helps you and prepares you for those moments.

“I like the way we finished the regular season. The playoffs are a new season, and we got off to a good start. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

John Kerr led Derry with 13 kills, and Jeff Perratone had 11 in the team's 3-0 quarterfinal win over Bishop Canevin.

“Jeff is a senior captain, and he has been a pretty dominant force. We've asked him to do a variety of things. He's played every position in the front row and excelled at them all and given us a boost at whatever position we've asked him to play,” Spencer said. “John has had a breakout junior year. He's tied with Jeff for the most kills on the team. It's nice to know he is coming back next year. He's been giving us more than what I expected, which is great.”

Juniors Dom DeLuca and setter Nathaniel Marinchek have provided sparks, too.

“Dom has had a lot of success in football and wrestling. His attitude and leadership played an important factor on this team. The kids see the success he's had in wrestling and really look up to him. He's been a steady leader for us this year,” Spencer said. “Nathaniel has stepped into a role that maybe I don't know if he was quite ready for when the season opened. Due to injuries and other things, he had to step into that situation, and he has done pretty well. He is a real pleasant surprise. It's nice to see kids like that succeed when they get the opportunity”

The same applies to junior libero Alex Murphy.

“He did not play a lot of varsity at the beginning of season. Our starting libero got injured, and Alex stepped into that role and he has done a tremendous job,” Spencer said. “For a first-year player stepping into the varsity level like that, it's really impressive. I am very proud of him. It was not an easy situation, and he has handled it tremendously.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Derry Area