Keystone Oaks boys' volleyball coach Adrian Van Balen must have felt like he was on a roller coaster during the first month of the season.

The Golden Eagles opened the season with three consecutive wins, then lost the next four. Then came six consecutive wins, followed by a narrow 3-2 loss to Deer Lakes.

"We're just hitting our stride," said Van Balen, "We went through a tough stretch [from April 2-10], losing consecutive matches to Deer Lakes, Avonworth, Hopewell and Pine-Richland, but the kids have put those losses behind them."

Keystone Oaks is now playing like a team worthy of a WPIAL playoff berth. The Golden Eagles are 10-5 overall and 5-4 in Section 2-AA after defeating Avonworth, 3-2, Tuesday night.

Pine-Richland leads the section with an 8-0 record, while Deer Lakes is second with a 6-1 mark. Both have clinched WPIAL playoff berths, which leaves two more berths available.

Avonworth fell to 5-5 after Tuesday's match, while Seton-LaSalle dropped to 4-6.

"Gaining experience has been the difference," said Van Balen. "After those four losses, I told the kids to calm down and start playing the way they are capable of playing.

"They are finally developing a court vision during the second half of section play."

Van Balen, a Keystone Oaks alumnus, is in his fifth year as the Golden Eagles head coach. He was a member of the school's first team in 1998 and graduated in 1999.

He also played club volleyball at Allegheny College, graduating from the Meadville school with a degree in neuroscience.

"I'm glad to see the PIAA switched to a two-classification setup," said Van Balen, referring to the fact that Keystone Oaks is now competing in the newly formed Class AA. "Having two classes makes all the difference.

"I saw first-hand how tough it is for a team to compete in its first few seasons. Having to face schools that are two or three times as big doesn't help the situation. The smaller schools are also competing with track and baseball for kids. The bigger schools don't have that problem."

Van Balen is hoping the change will prompt other small schools to add boys' volleyball.

"It's not as intimidating for a smaller school to add a volleyball program," said Van Balen. "It would be great to see more schools in the picture in the near future."

Van Balen uses a nine-player rotation, which is led by four-year starter Greg Shedlock, a 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter.

"Greg has played every position since starting in the back row as a freshman," said Van Balen. "We used him as our setter the following year, but moved him to outside hitter last year."

Shedlock moved to outside hitter when Philip Molnar, a 6-2 sophomore, took over as the Golden Eagles setter.

"Philip came to us last year as a transfer from Butler Area High School," said Van Balen. "He had a ton of experience playing for their seventh and eighth grade team, so we felt he was a perfect fit. He's also a lefty, which is ideal for a setter."

Also in the Golden Eagles' rotation are: 6-1 senior outside hitter Josh McGinnis, 6-3 senior middle hitter Dan Weber, 6-4 senior middle hitter Gio Ojok, 5-10 sophomore right-side hitter Travis Mitro, 5-10 senior defensive specialist Joe Conte, 6-0 senior defensive specialist Zack Olson and 5-9 senior defensive specialist Andrew Loria.

Keystone Oaks has three matches remaining. The Eagles travel to Pine-Richland tonight, then play host to Summit Academy Tuesday, and conclude their section schedule next Thursday with a match at Seton-LaSalle.

"It could come down to that last match," said Van Balen. "We just have to take them one at a time."