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PIAA boys volleyball season preview 2024-25: Meet the top 6 players to watch in Butler County

Butler's Mason Anderson (12) leads the Tornado as of March 24 with 42 digs and is also one of their top returning offensive weapons. Butler Eagle file photo

Butler County might produce some of the top boys volleyball teams in Western Pennsylvania this season.

The PA Volleyball Coaches Association released its latest rankings March 25, and Mars (No. 6) and North Catholic (No. 8) are ranked in the Top 10 in Class 2A. Four local teams were ranked in the Top 10 in Western PA — Seneca Valley at No. 4 and Butler at No. 6 in Class 3A, and Mars at No. 3 and North Catholic No. 5 in 2A.

The Planets are fresh off their first trip to the PIAA Tournament semifinals last year, and return some of the talent that led that run.

And WPIAL section play is just getting under way. The Raiders and Golden Tornado are eyeing runs at the Section 3 title along with Pine-Richland and North Allegheny, while the Planets and Trojans go toe-to-toe in Section 2.

Related Article: PIAA baseball season preview 2024-25: Meet the top 10 players to watch in Butler County Related Article: PIAA boys lacrosse season preview 2024-25: Meet the top 8 players to watch in Butler County

Here are some of the top boys volleyball players to catch this season in Butler County, listed alphabetically:

Mason Anderson, sr., OH, Butler

One of two postseason award winners back for the Golden Tornado, Anderson (all-section, third-team all-WPIAL in 2024) has given all-around production in the early going this season with 18 kills, 42 digs, five blocks and four aces as of March 24.

Seneca Valley’s Jordan Hoover (26) is committed to play next year at Robert Wesleyan and had 220 kills last season. Butler Eagle file photo
Jordan Hoover, sr., MH, Seneca Valley

The future Robert Wesleyan attacker anchors the Raiders’ offense for one final season. Last year, the 6-foot-5 Hoover knocked down 220 kills, blocked 135 shots and had 71 digs and 20 aces, picking up second-team all-state, first-team all-WPIAL and first-team all-section honors in the process.

Seneca Valley (24) Abheek Nelikil was averaging more than 35 assists per match as of Friday and is looking to lead the Raiders to a section title. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Abheek Nelikil, sr., S, Seneca Valley

The Raiders’ co-captain has already put up some impressive numbers. Through six games as of Friday, Nelikil had 213 assists, 77 digs, 12 kills, seven blocks and six aces. He was named all-section third team last season and plays club for Steel City Volleyball.

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Drew Palmer, sr., OH, North Catholic

Palmer committed in the winter to Northern Kentucky. The Trojans were recently ranked No. 5 in Class 2A in the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Mars’ Derek Piatek (22) is on pace to break the program’s all-time kills record and is hoping to lead the Planets on another PIAA tournament run. Butler Eagle file photo
Derek Piatek, sr., OH, Mars

Piatek led the Planets’ charge to its first PIAA semifinal appearance last year, where Mars was turned back by Meadville after four sets despite 17 kills from Piatek. He was named second-team all-state, first-team all-WPIAL and first-team all-section after the season and has committed to St. Francis. He’s also closing in on the program’s career kills record.

Related Article: PIAA boys volleyball tournament: Mars’ historic season ends with state semifinal loss to Meadville Related Article: PIAA track and field season preview 2025: Meet the top 12 girls athletes to watch in Butler County
Butler's Alec Teff (13) hits right-handed as an opposite hitter and led the team with 45 aces last year. Butler Eagle file photo
Alec Teff, sr., OPP, Butler

Teff was an all-section and third-team all-WPIAL honoree last year after recording 181 kills as a right-handed opposite hitter with 45 aces. A co-captain playing all six spots in the rotation this year, Teff already has eight aces and 17 kills to start this season as of March 24.

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