Bethel Park tops Deer Lakes in finals of Plum Invitational boys volleyball tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 3:39 PM

The annual Plum boys volleyball tournament attracted a diverse field of teams from both Class AA and AAA in the WPIAL and from outside of the district.

Saturday evening's championship final was a matchup of teams in the top 10 of their respective Western Pennsylvania Boys Volleyball Coaches Association polls.

In a one-game title clash to 25, Bethel Park, No. 3 this week in the AAA rankings, topped AA No. 3 Deer Lakes to capture the championship.

The field battled through pool play to see which 12 teams would qualify for the bracket playoffs.

Baldwin defeated Central Catholic, and District 6's Bishop Guilfoyle topped Gateway in one-game matches to punch their tickets to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Altoona from District 6 beat Norwin, Bethel Park stopped Bishop Guilfoyle, Butler got past Fox Chapel, and Deer Lakes defeated Baldwin.

Norwin also is ranked this week in the WPBVCA poll, coming in at No. 8. Bishop Guilfoyle is ranked No. 3 in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association AA state rankings.

Bethel Park defeated Butler, No. 4 in the WPBVCA AAA rankings, in the first semifinal, while Deer Lakes downed Altoona to set up the championship match.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Bethel Park, Deer Lakes, Plum