The Penn Hills High School boys' volleyball team came within one win of a PIAA berth last season, as the Indians finished fourth in the WPIAL Class AAA tournament.

The Indians and coach Dan Brown enter this season with hopes of taking the next step.

"We haven't been to the PIAA tournament since 2000," Brown said. "We're hoping to change that this year. We came very close last year, but dropped a close match to Hempfield in the consolation final."

Brown has five of his top 10 players back, including a pair of WPIAL All-Stars, Micah Larson and Kevin Sparks. Both were voted to the second team of the WPIAL Coaches Association All-Star Team. Larson is a 5-11 junior outside hitter. Sparks is a 6-3 junior right-side hitter.

"We have a very strong junior class," Brown said. "Both Micah and Kevin were WPIAL All-Stars as sophomores. You don't see that very often. We will be counting on both for leadership."

Two other key members of the junior class are Rob Strauss and Dalton Cesaratto. Strauss is a 6-2 setter who was voted to the Section 3-AAA all-star team last year. Cesaratto is a 6-4 middle hitter.

"Dalton missed the playoffs last year [for academic reasons]," said Brown. "This year, his grades are real good.

"Rob has developed into one of the top setters in the WPIAL. He's taller and stronger this year."

Brown also has four seniors who should see significant playing time, 5-8 libero Evan Klein, 6-2 outside hitter Will Piccolino, 6-3 middle hitter Sean McNash and 6-7 middle hitter Frank Saville.

"Evan and Will saw significant playing time last year," said Brown. "Sean played enough to letter."

Others expected to see significant playing time are 6-2 junior middle hitter Dainen Holler, 5-10 sophomore setter John Potts and 5-10 sophomore outside hitter Alex Rodkey.

"Last year, we tied with Plum for third place in our section," said Brown. "Our goal this year, like every year, is to win the section title. But that will not be easy.

"Our section may be the strongest in the WPIAL. It will be a real test to see who comes out on top.

"Norwin and Hempfield tied for the section title last year, and both have a good group of kids back. In fact, we will find out very quickly how good Norwin is. We play them in our opener [tonight]."

Penn Hills will make its first tournament appearance on Saturday at the 15-team North Allegheny Invitational.

"North Allegheny is the WPIAL favorite, possibly the PIAA favorite," said Brown. "[Coach Dan Schall] has almost everybody back from last year's WPIAL champions. The North Allegheny tournament is always strong, and this year will no different. It will no doubt give us an indication of where we stand in the WPIAL overall picture."

Penn Hills is also entered in tournaments at Derry, York and Plum.

"We used to have five tournaments on our schedule," said Brown. "Now we attend only four.

"I have non-section matches scheduled with Fox Chapel, North Allegheny and Derry instead of the fifth tournament."

Brown is in his 32nd season at Penn Hills and has led the Indians to the WPIAL playoffs in all but one season.