Dan Brown has never had a team go unbeaten in regular season tournament competition in his 33 years as boys' volleyball coach at Penn Hills High School.

The Indians came very close to doing that this season.

"We entered four tournaments and won three titles and placed second in the fourth," Brown said. "It's rare to see a team win all of their [regular season] tournaments. In fact, this is the first time I've had a team win three regular season tournaments."

Penn Hills claimed the championship trophy at tournaments at North Allegheny, Derry Area and Plum. The Indians fell short of a sweep after a 2-1 loss to Ambridge Area in the title match of the Kolleer Classic in York.

"The Koller Classic is annually the strongest tournament in the state," Brown said. "It features most of the top AAA and AA teams in the state. We beat Hempfield from District 3 in the quarterfinals, then beat North Allegheny in the semifinals. We faced Ambridge in the best-of-three final and lost, 2-1."

Penn Hills and Ambridge share the spotlight in the state rankings compiled by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. The Indians are No. 1 in Class AAA, while Ambridge is the top-ranked team in Class AA.

"If we are No. 1, then North Allegheny must be 1A," Brown said. "We played North Allegheny in the finals of all three tournaments and were fortunate enough to win all three. We also beat North Allegheny in the semifinals at York. We have had their number, but every time we face North Allegheny, it's a close match."

After shutting out Penn-Trafford Monday, Penn Hills improved its record to 10-0 in Section 3-AAA. The Indians have clinched a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth and at least a tie for the section title after knocking off the Warriors.

"We've qualified for the WPIAL playoffs all but one year since I started coaching," said Brown, who led the Indians to five WPIAL titles, in 1976, 1977, 1984, 1989 and 1990. "But it's been a while since we won a title."

Penn Hills came into the season as a strong favorite to win the WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class AAA. The Indians placed third in the WPIAL last year, then turned in an impressive performance at the PIAA tournament, but fell one win short of a semifinal berth.

"We have six seniors, including four who are all-state caliber," Brown said. "Three were recognized on the WPIAL All-Star team and two on the [PVCA] All-State team."

Micah Larson, a 6-foot senior outside hitter, was voted a first-team WPIAL All-Star. He was also recognized on the PVCA Finest 40, along with teammate Rob Strauss, a 6-2 senior setter.

"Micah is only the third four-year starter I've had in 33 years," Brown said. "It was obvious from his freshman year that Micah was somebody special.

"Rob has accepted a scholarship to play at Juniata College next year. Rob is a four-year letterman, but did not start as a freshman."

Brown's other two "all-state caliber" players are seniors Kevin Sparks and Dalton Cessarato. Sparks is a 6-4 outside hitter, while Cessarato is a 6-4 middle hitter.

"Kevin is a three-year starter who was voted to the WPIAL third team the last two years," Brown said. "Dalton was not recognized on the WPIAL All-Star team last year, but should have been. He has been our leading hitter and blocker."

The other two seniors are 6-3 middle hitter Dainen Holler and 5-9 senior libero Alex Rodkey.

"Dainen is a solid performer who is a good server and blocker," Brown said. "Alex is a former track sprinter and jumper. He runs down a lot of balls with his speed."

The Indians' eight-man rotation also includes junior Jon Potts, a 5-10 left-handed right-side hitter, and sophomore Tory Larson, a 6-1 sophomore outside hitter.

"Jon is our shortest starter, but is a surprisingly strong jumper," Brown said. "He's very quick and has a good arm swing.

"Tory is our first player off the bench. He has played on the right and left side. Tory is Micah's younger brother."

The WPIAL playoffs are scheduled to begin May 12 and conclude May 22.