What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Sept. 26, 2023: Seneca Valley, North Allegheny square off again on court

By: Don Rebel
Monday, September 25, 2023 | 11:00 PM

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Last week, Seneca Valley met North Allegheny for first place in their section in both boys and girls soccer.

The boys match ended in a tie while NA defeated SV to take over first place in Section 1-4A girls soccer.

On Tuesday, the Raiders and Tigers prepare to meet with first place in Section 1-4A up for grabs in girls volleyball.

This is the first meeting of the season between the volleyball powers.

Both teams are 3-0 in section play and a combined 12-0 overall.

North Allegheny swept Seneca Valley last season, winning both matches 3-0.

Since the advent of four classifications in girls volleyball in 2016, the Tigers have won four district crowns while the Raiders have won one.

Key matches galore

Now that we are into the second half of section play in WPIAL boys soccer, the focus is not only on the races for the section championships, but also for one of the top four spots in the section that earn teams a district playoff berth.

Tuesday will be a good barometer for both in Section 4-2A.

In the race for first place, Quaker Valley is a perfect 7-0 in the section and has a one-game lead over Avonworth at 6-1. The Quakers visit the Antelopes on Tuesday.

Quaker Valley has won eight straight since its only loss of the season to Eastern Pa. power Fleetwood.

Avonworth is 6-1-1 since losing at QV on Aug. 31, 3-1.

Meanwhile, the battle for third and fourth place is a three-team chase between Beaver (4-3), Hopewell (3-3) and Mohawk (3-4).

Beaver hosts Mohawk while Hopewell visits Ellwood City (0-7).

‘A’ battles on the pitch

There is several key section matches slated for Class A on Tuesday.

In Section 1, Eden Christian Academy and Sewickley Academy are tied for first place with records of 5-1-1, a half-game in front of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-2). OLHS visits Eden Christian while Sewickley Academy visits fourth-place Beaver County Christian (3-3-1).

In Section 2, second place Bentworth (5-1) hosts a Greensburg Central Catholic team that is tied for third place with Beth-Center (3-3).

In Section 3, the top two teams square off as Springdale (6-1) visits Burrell (5-1).

Girls’ turn to tee it up

On what should be another gray but rain-free day, the top district girls golfers will hit the links for the first round of the WPIAL girls individual golf championships.

The Class 3A first round takes place at the Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley with 26 golfers participating.

The Class 2A opening round will also be at the Diamond Run Golf Club with seven golfers.

The district championships are a 36-hole event with the first 18 being played Tuesday. The final 18 holes take place Wednesday, Oct. 4 also at the Diamond Run Golf Club.