Name the only WPIAL boys' volleyball team that has finished among the top three in the WPIAL each of the past three seasons.

The obvious answer is North Allegheny, since the Tigers have won WPIAL titles four of the past five years. But North Allegheny did not place among the top four in 2006, as the Tigers lost in the quarterfinals.

The correct answer is Fox Chapel.

"We placed third in 2005, won our first WPIAL title in 2006, and placed second last year," Fox Chapel coach Phil O'Keeffe said. "It's the only three times in school history that we've made it to the WPIAL final four.

"We've had great success the last three years. Our goal is to continue that success in years to come."

Fox Chapel made a second consecutive WPIAL title appearance last season and earned a silver medal after losing to North Allegheny.

"North Allegheny is clearly the favorite in the WPIAL," said O'Keeffe. "In fact, they may have the best team in the state. They have all but one starter back. Our goal is to get back to the championship match."

And O'Keeffe has a squad that is capable of doing just that. Five of the Foxes top eight players return, including seniors Juan Manfredi and Grant Mitchell, who were both voted to the third team of the WPIAL Class AAA All-Star Team.

Manfredi is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter who broke into the starting lineup last year as a setter/right-side hitter.

"Juan would have been a left-side hitter last year, but we needed another setter," said O'Keeffe, referring to his two-setter offense. "This year, we need Juan playing on the left side. Fortunately, we have a promising freshman stepping in as our other setter."

Mitchell, 5-11, is a four-year starter at libero, a hybrid setter/hitter position.

"Grant is one of the best liberos in the state," O'Keeffe said. "I'm not sure if he wants to play college ball. If so, he has a bright future. It's not very often that I have a four-year starter."

Justin Mroz, Kevin Hutchings and Quinn Donahue are also returning starters. Mroz is a 5-11 senior outside hitter. Hutchings is a 5-9 senior setter. Donahue is a 6-2 senior right-side hitter.

"Kevin split the setting with Juan last year," O'Keeffe said. "Now Kevin will be splitting the setting with Sam Dickens. He's a 5-10 freshman who played on a Junior Olympic team at nationals last summer. I never thought I would have a setter for four years."

Others who will see significant playing time this year are: 6-0 junior middle hitter Mike Rios, 6-1 junior middle hitter Eric Redfern and 6-5 sophomore right-side hitter Dan Tumblin.

"Dan is a player you will hear a lot from in the coming years," O'Keeffe said. "He's a very talented player who just needs experience."

Fox Chapel opened its Section 2-AAA schedule Tuesday with a 3-1 victory against Seneca Valley. The Foxes play host to North Hills tonight.

"North Allegheny is clearly the favorite," O'Keeffe said. "Seneca Valley and Butler should also be strong. Shaler might be down a bit due to graduation losses."

O'Keeffe will get a reading on how good his squad is on Saturday. The Foxes are one of 15 teams entered in the North Allegheny Invitational.

"We will see some of the best teams in the WPIAL at the NA tournament," O'Keeffe said. "We're looking forward to it."