BUTLER TWP — Butler’s boys volleyball team showed glimpses Thursday night, flashes of what it takes to get the upper hand on the top-ranked team in the state.

But the Golden Tornado were not able to sustain the elevated play as a stacked Shaler team earned a sweep by scores of 25-19, 25-17 and 25-23.

Butler #13 Alec Teff hits the ball over the net against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Section 2 Boys Volleyball game at Butler High School on Thursday April 27, 2023.Butler lost 3-0. Justin Guido/ Butler Eagle 04/27/23

“Tonight was almost identical to our loss (via sweep April 4) to Shaler the first time we played them,” said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. “Their setter distributes the ball very well and they have very good hitters. They’re so fundamentally sound.”

The apex of Butler’s night came in the third set. Down two sets to none, the Tornado built a 16-9 lead, largely on the strength of kills from Max Gianneski and Coleton Welter, who finished the match with 10 and 19 kills, respectively.

Butler’s Coleton Welter spikes the ball against Shaler during Thursday’s boys volleyball section matchup in the Butler gym. Welter tallied 19 kills, but the Golden Tornado suffered a sweep at the hands of the Titans. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

“We served/received well tonight, but just couldn’t get our offense going the way we needed it to, except for those two on the outside,” Liparulo said. “We got it to them for a good part of that third set.”

Shaler’s comeback featured a pair of blocks from Peyton Planz and two kills from Joey Gannon. After pulling even, two kills from Logan Peterson sealed the victory for the Titans (10-0, 8-0), who have been ranked No. 1 in the state since the preseason by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

The Titans placed third in the WPIAL and reached the second round of the state playoffs a season ago.

Butler #26 Alex Moncello celebrates after a point against Shaler in a WPIAL Class 3A Section 2 Boys Volleyball game at Butler High School on Thursday April 27, 2023.Butler lost 3-0. Justin Guido/ Butler Eagle 04/27/23

“We’re a younger team, lost seven seniors from last year, but our guys have handled it with humility. They understand it’s something you have to earn,” said Shaler coach Paul Stadelman of the top-ranking. “Joey Gannon (11 kills) and Zac Wurzer (12 kills) were definitely a big part of the win tonight, but our defense was very important. You can’t have a comeback like that without good defense.

Butler’s Christian Melnik-Mohr digs the ball against Shaler in a boys volleyball section meeting Thursday. The Titans defeated the Golden Tornado, 3-0. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

“Our guys stayed calm and played very well late.”

Shaler took early control of the first set and, following Butler’s 4-1 lead, took a firm hold on the second set despite Welter dropping seven of his kills.

Alex Moncello had 38 assists for the Tornado and Adam Kaufman tallied 16 digs.

Butler (9-4, 6-3) travels to North Allegheny on Wednesday. Afterward, it has section dates with Fox Chapel and Seneca Valley prior to the WPIAL playoffs.

Shaler, Butler, Seneca Valley and North Allegheny are each in solidified playoff position from Section 2-3A.

“Our section is always very competitive,” Liparulo said.