WPIAL boys volleyball teams are in the process of preparing for the start of the 2026 season with workouts and scrimmages.
The Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association also is gearing up for the start of matches and invitationals Friday and Saturday, and it released its preseason coaches polls Monday morning.
North Allegheny won its WPIAL-record 23rd district title and made the PIAA championship match last year, and it begins this season as the top-ranked Class 3A team.
Seneca Valley, which fell to the Tigers in the WPIAL title game, is No. 2, with 2025 semifinalists Pine-Richland and Penn-Trafford at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
The rest of the Class 3A top 10 are Hempfield, Butler, Latrobe, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon and Baldwin.
Like North Allegheny in Class 3A, Shaler is No. 1 in Class 2A after claiming WPIAL gold last year. The Titans topped Ambridge for their third straight WPIAL championship before advancing to the PIAA semifinals.
Seton LaSalle, a WPIAL quarterfinalist last year, is No. 2, followed by 2025 semifinalist South Fayette at No. 3.
Ambridge checks in at No. 4 followed by No. 5 Thomas Jefferson. Montour, North Catholic, Derry, Hopewell and Deer Lakes round out the top 10.
All of the head coaches will be polled each week to arrive at the top-10 rankings.
Next week’s rankings will include the first installment of the players of the week for both classifications.
Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association
Preseason Top 10 Coaches Polls
Class 3A
1. North Allegheny
2. Seneca Valley
3. Pine-Richland
4. Penn-Trafford
5. Hempfield
6. Butler
7. Latrobe
8. Canon-McMillan
9. Mt. Lebanon
10. Baldwin
Class 2A
1. Shaler
2. Seton LaSalle
3. South Fayette
4. Ambridge
5. Thomas Jefferson
6. Montour
7. North Catholic
8. Derry
9. Hopewell
10. Deer Lakes