It’s been years in the making, but the Deer Lakes boys volleyball team believes it finally possesses the proper makeup to challenge for a section title and possibly more.

The process began about four years ago, when a group of eighth graders dedicated themselves to the sport. They endured a 1-15 record two years ago as sophomores and reached the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs as juniors.

Now, a group of nine seniors has helped the Lancers to a 4-1 start, a 2-0 record in Section 1 and the No. 9 spot in the most recent Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A rankings.

Since a season-opening loss to Class 3A Fox Chapel, Deer Lakes only has dropped one set.

“When I saw all of them come up in middle school, I had a feeling they could become a good volleyball team,” Deer Lakes coach Devin Reiher said. “These guys, their top priority after school is playing volleyball.”

Senior outside hitter Colby Sutch is team captain and a driving force.

“It takes a ton of work to build this. Things don’t come easy,” Sutch said. “As a team, we went to many, many open gyms because just getting touches as a team rather than individual work is so important.”

Deer Lakes spent the offseason working and many team members also play for Exile Volleyball Club.

All that time together created a cohesive group.

“There’s an understanding of each other when we’re out there. There’s a togetherness,” Sutch said. “One of our goals is we want to bring Deer Lakes volleyball back.”

Defensive specialist Kyle Farmer; right-side hitters Ryan Liggett, Lachlan Herr and Dylan Ferraro; middle hitters Alex Godinez and AJ Balint; setter Andrew O’Brien; and libero Peyton Kushon are the Lancers’ other seniors.

“They’re a really fun group to be around,” said Reiher, a 2021 Deer Lakes graduate and former volleyball player. “They’re great friends and get along super well, plus they’re very adaptable. If we get film on a team and we make adjustments in practice, they can go and do them pretty quickly.”

Deer Lakes has made quick work of section opponents to date but one of its most important matches of the season looms.

The Lancers play at Derry at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Trojans are ranked No. 8 in the most recent coaches poll and often are a WPIAL contender.

In hopes of keeping up with and potentially passing by Derry, Deer Lakes added some matches against teams from larger classifications to its schedule.

“Derry has definitely been our top competition in the section,” Reiher said. “I can definitely see us competing with them. As long as we keep our heads together, we could make a good run.”