No records on coaching longevity are available in the sport of high school volleyball, but Deer Lakes boys' coach Rick Tatrn is believed to be No. 1 on both the WPIAL and PIAA lists.

"I haven't done any research in that area," said Tatrn, now in his 39th season as the Lancers coach. "But I don't know of anybody who coached longer than me."

Tatrn hasn't kept a running total on the number of WPIAL playoff appearances Deer Lakes has made during his tenure, but the Lancers have been a regular in the postseason picture.

"We've been to the [WPIAL] playoffs all but one year since 1997," Tatrn recalled. "That was the last year we qualified for the state [PIAA] tournament."

The 2009 Lancers have continued the winning tradition by claiming a berth in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs, which are scheduled to begin May 12.

Deer Lakes carries an unbeaten 6-0 section record into tonight's showdown at home against Derry Area (5-1). A Lancers victory would clinch the section championship.

"We are in a weak section," Tatrn admitted. "Wilkinsburg was supposed to field a team this year, but didn't get enough kids to sign up. That left us with two holes in our schedule. Fortunately, we picked up exhibition matches with Penn-Trafford and Upper St. Clair."

Deer Lakes may compete in a weak section, but the Lancers are considered one of the top Class AA teams in the state. Deer Lakes has been ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL and No. 4 in the state since the season began.

"This is one of the best team's we've ever had, but they have a long way to go to match our WPIAL championship teams in 1978, 1979 and 1983," Tatrn said. "The 1978 team also won a PIAA title."

Deer Lakes is led by its twin towers, Darin Van Horn and Zak Roberts. Van Horn is a 6-foot-4 senior middle hitter who has started since his freshman year. Roberts, also a four-year starter, is a 6-6 senior middle hitter.

"I just refer to them as 'The Big Guys,'" said Tatrn. "Both were voted first team WPIAL All-Stars and were recognized on the [Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association's] Finest 40 in the state. With Darin and Zak, we have the best middle hitter/blocker combo in the entire WPIAL."

Van Horn is the last of three brothers to play for Deer Lakes, as Ryan and Jason were also four-year starters.

"Darin wants to attend Penn State, but I'm not sure whether he's going to try out for the team," Tatrn said. "He may just concentrate on academics. Zak will be playing at Kent State next year."

Van Horn and Roberts are joined on the front line by outside hitters Kevin Stapelton, a 6-2 senior, Gus Brown, a 6-0 junior, and Mike Carrigan, a 6-1 senior. All three are returning starters. Stapleton is a three-year starter.

"Kevin saw time on both the right and left side last year," Tatrn said. "This year, he's playing on the left side."

Lou Baker and Tony Nicotra are splitting time on the right side. Baker is a 6-2 junior and Nicotra is a 6-3 freshman.

"We have 10 kids who play on a regular basis, and nine are either returning lettermen or starters," Tatrn said.

Jeremy Gaston, a 6-2 sophomore setter, Pat Stretavski, a 5-7 senior libero, and Shawn Grady, a 5-8 back-row specialist, are the other returning lettermen.

"Jeremy alternated with our setter last year, so he came in with good experience," Tatrn said. "He worked very hard over the winter to get ready for this season. His father, Terry, was a member of our WPIAL and PIAA championship team in 1978."

Deer Lakes has participated in five tournaments, and placed among the top four in all four. The Lancers won the Hempfield tournament, placed second at the Norwin tournament, and lost in the semifinals at the other three.

"The competition we've faced in tournament play will no doubt help when the playoffs begin," Tatrn said. "I just hope things keep going the way they have thus far."