Anyone working in the Shaler boys volleyball team’s rotation can expect to add a couple of lines to his resume.
The Titans will return more seasoned players than they had at the start of last season, but they won’t be nearly as deep as the squad that won the WPIAL Class 2A crown and reached the PIAA semifinals.
Veteran coach Paul Stadelman wants everyone in the lineup to be ready and willing to perform multiple tasks.
“I think what we try to tell the guys is don’t identify yourself as a middle or outsider hitter. Identify as a volleyball player,” Stadelman said. “We want to try and get the best guys on the court as much as possible. You have to have position flexibility.”
The Titans have won three consecutive district championships, including in Class 3A in 2023 and 2024, to climb into a tie for ninth-most WPIAL titles along with Mt. Lebanon, Plum and the now-closed Swissvale.
Shaler, which finished last season 18-2, is eager to keep burnishing its burgeoning reputation as a powerhouse program.
“We haven’t set our team goals yet for this year,” Stadelman said. “With what we’ve accomplished the past three seasons, the goal is to be a title contender in the WPIAL and make the state championship game. We are well aware that there are a lot of good teams ahead of us that want to do the same thing. We want to have the hunter mentality to get back to where we were a couple of years ago.”
The Titans will be in Section 1-2A along with Aquinas Academy, Beaver County Christian, Mars and North Catholic.
Shaler, which returns eight starters, will be the deepest at middle blocker. Tristan Derry, Richie O’Brien and Brandon Aryee all return from last season.
Trevor Planz will play at setter, while Thomas Bainbridge and Sam Miller will contribute as defensive specialists.
Adam Hoffman will play at right-side hitter, while Michael Snyder will be an outsider hitter.
“We will probably have three or four guys in the mix on the outside,” Stadelman said. “I think in terms of those guys, what we’re looking for with our smaller roster is for different guys to hit in different spots depending on the situation and rotation.”
Stadelman said he believes Planz will be ready to help run the offense.
“He’s doing an awesome job,” Stadelman said. “He’s trained with a club. He’s going to show growth, and the more reps and situations he can be in, the better.”
Stadelman said even though Shaler’s roster has smaller numbers than previous years, he believes the Titans will find a way to succeed.
“We have more experience than last year,” Stadelman said. “Now that they are aging up, they understand the expectations and the culture they are stepping into.”