Nine Western Pennsylvania men, all 55 or older, who combine their love for volleyball with their desire to stay in shape, will compete in the National Senior Olympic Games next week in Louisville, Ky.

"Most of us play at least twice, and sometimes four or five times a week," said Doug Vandervort, 56, who resides in the North Hills and coaches at Avonworth High School.

"We all play in various coed leagues, which means we are playing with and against players half our age."

Vandervort is joined by Chip Fisher, Ralph Colaizzi, John DeRiggi, Gary Smith, Dave Dolgos, Steven Berg, Bob Adamson and Dave Heinbaugh. The nine also play together in a 40-and-over league, which Vandervort and several others started in May.

"We have six teams that play once a week at the North Hills YMCA in Wexford," said Vandervort. "Our team, the Pittsburgh Masters, just lost in the playoffs to the Old Geezers."

The Pittsburgh Masters may have been eliminated from the league playoffs, but their season is not completed. The nine-player team leaves Sunday for the Senior Olympics, which will take place from July 1-4.

"This will be our third appearance in the National Senior Olympics," said Vandervort. "The first two were in the 50-and-older division, but this time we are entered in the 55-and-older division."

In 2003, the Pittsburgh Masters traveled to Virginia Beach for the 50-and-under tournament and placed fourth in a 24-team field. Two years ago, Pittsburgh played host to the Senior Olympics and the Masters finished eighth out of 24 teams.

"You'd be surprised by the level of play," said Vandervort. "The perception of seniors is that we need our walkers to get around the court or that we have to crawl across the finish line. That's the furthest thing from the truth.

"We are all in pretty good shape. And we've been playing for a long time. It's a great way to stay healthy."

Setters/outside hitters Dolgos and Berg run the Pittsburgh Masters' 6-2 offense. Dolgos, who resides in Gibsonia, had a previous coaching stint at Chatham College.

DeRiggi, 62, the team's libero, coached 20 years at Fox Chapel Area High School, and now plays four or five times a week "if I'm healthy."

DeRiggi and Colaizzi, a 63-year-old outside hitter, are the oldest players on the team.

"We could be playing in the 60-and-older division, but we can't find enough players in this area to field a team," said DeRiggi.

The Pittsburgh Masters will be playing at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

"There are six men's divisions and six women's divisions," Vandervort said. "We will be playing Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday."

Fisher, who resides in Oakmont, splits time at middle and outside hitter. Smith, who lives in West View, splits time at outside hitter and in the back row. Adamson of Churchill and Heinbaugh of Greensburg are middle hitters.