Baldwin High School boys' volleyball coach Eric Falcione was not surprised with his team's fifth-place finish in Section 1-AAA last year.

"It was the youngest team I've ever been associated with," said Falcione, who has 22 years of coaching experience, including the past 10 as head coach at Baldwin. "Our starting rotation consisted mostly of sophomores and freshmen. We did have two seniors, including Mike Duffy, who was voted to the [Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association] Fabulous 40.

"It was a long season, but the underclassmen gained a lot of experience. I purposely entered six tournaments last year because I knew how young we would be. It was a struggle with such a demanding tournament schedule, but I knew the experience would pay off this year."

With that in mind, the Highlanders came into this season with hopes of making a return trip to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

"It's unusual for us to not make the playoffs," Falcione said. "Baldwin has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs in all but four of [the past] 18 seasons. A return to the playoffs is our goal."

Baldwin has finished the first half of section play in third place with a 3-2 record. The Highlanders posted victories against Upper St. Clair, 3-2, Mt. Lebanon, 3-1, and Canon-McMillan, 3-0, while losing to Central Catholic, 3-1, and Bethel Park, 3-0.

"Bethel Park is the front-runner in the section," Falcione said. "They have two really good setters leading an experienced team. Central Catholic also has a strong team. And you can never count out Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon.

"Just because we beat them in the first half, that doesn't ensure a win in the second half. We have a tough road ahead of us in the second half."

There are 15 juniors on the squad.

"It's the biggest junior class I've ever had," Falcione said.

Five of those juniors are in Baldwin's starting rotation, including 5-foot-8 setter Nathan Swauger and 6-2 libero Greg Hillard.

"It's nice to have Nathan back running our 5-1 offense," Falcione said. "This year, we're starting to think more alike. We're on the same page. His size hurts him a little bit, but he's very smart.

"Greg has been an unexpected surprise at libero. He's done a great job. We also use Greg as a back-up setter in our 6-2 offense. It's one way we can give the opponent a different look."

The other three juniors in Baldwin's starting rotation are 5-10 outside hitter Neal Juran, 5-10 right-side hitter Travis Foster and 5-9 libero/outside hitter Mylan Yekich.

"Neal is a returning starter," Falcione said. "Travis lettered last year as a role player, but is now a full-time varsity player. Mylan is our utility player. We've used him in every position except setter."

Seniors Brian Swickline and Brett Stanford are also in the starting rotation. Swickline is a 6-3 middle hitter and Stanford is a 6-0 outside hitter.

"Brian is our team captain," Falcione said. "His leadership has been outstanding. He's our hardest worker and leads by example. Brett is a three-year letterman, who is one of our best passers. He is also an exceptional server."

Sophomores Mike DeLyser and Ian Lynch round out the starting rotation. Both are 6-6 middle hitters.

"Mike is the nephew of Ed Scheuermann, a Baldwin graduate from the mid 1970s who played basketball at Pitt," Falcione said. "He's our best hitter. He's as good as any middle hitter in the WPIAL and he's only a sophomore. He has a chance to be a blue-chip player in the future."

Baldwin opened the season at the Norwin Tournament, but failed to make the playoff round. The Highlanders did make it to the playoff round on Saturday at the Derry Tournament, but lost, 25-23, in the quarterfinals to Latrobe.

Falcione, a 1984 Baldwin graduate, attained bachelor's and master's degrees at Duquesne University in 1988 and 2002. His coaching career began in 1986 as an assistant at Carrick. He also had a head coaching stint at Montour from 1990-92.