The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) tournament kicked off tonight with local teams competing for state glory. In girls volleyball, Waynesburg Central opened its campaign after a tough WPIAL Class 3A semifinal loss to Avonworth on Nov. 4. The Raiders (19‑1) rebounded by defeating Seton LaSalle 3‑1 in the consolation final on Nov. 7, securing third place in the district and a spot in the state tournament.
Waynesburg Central’s first-round matchup
Waynesburg Central will travel to New Paris to face District 5 Champion Chestnut Ridge (8‑13) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A win will set up a quarterfinal clash with either unbeaten Freeport (21‑0) or Franklin (16‑5) on Nov. 14, with the exact site and time still to be determined. The Raiders have already clinched their second‑straight state‑tournament berth by reaching the final four, and the coaching staff is confident the team can advance further.
Other district champions
In the same class, the Yellowjackets captured the WPIAL title with a sweep over the Antelopes, while the Knights finished as District 10 runners‑up. The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 17, and the final will be played on Nov. 21 at Saint Francis University in Loretto, with the first serve set for 3:30 p.m.
Frazier’s path in Class 2A
Frazier fell to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) in the WPIAL Class 2A final, 3‑1, but the Commodores (18‑4) had already secured a state‑tournament berth by reaching the semifinals, where they upset Fort Cherry 3‑2. The Rangers (19‑2) had previously beaten Frazier 3‑0 in the regular season. The Commodores will head north to Strattanville to meet District 9 Champion Clarion Limestone (18‑2) in the first round, with the match slated for 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The winner will move on to the quarterfinals on Saturday, facing either District 10 Champion Maplewood (16‑1) or District 6 Runner‑Up Northern Cambria (16‑4). The semifinals and championship will also be held at Saint Francis, with the first serve at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21.
Belle Vernon boys soccer makes history
On the boys soccer side, Belle Vernon earned the lone local spot in the state tournament after a historic run that delivered the program’s first WPIAL championship. Entering the district tournament as the No. 10 seed, the Leopards defeated No. 7 Beaver 4‑2 and then overcame No. 2 Deer Lakes 2‑1 in extra time to claim the Class 2A title.
Continuing their momentum, Belle Vernon beat No. 3 North Catholic 2‑0 to reach the state championship match against No. 9 Quaker Valley. Jordan Jerome scored the decisive header in the second period of extra time, giving the Leopards a 1‑0 victory. The Leopards (15‑1‑2) will host District 5 Champion Somerset (14‑2‑4) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The winner of that game will advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals, where they will meet either District 6 Champion Westmont Hilltop (17‑1‑3) or the Trojans (18‑2‑2). The semifinals are set for Nov. 17, and the championship will be contested on Nov. 21 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.
Looking ahead
Local fans can follow the action as these teams vie for PIAA supremacy. The tournament’s structure gives each school a clear path: win the first‑round matchup, advance through the quarterfinals, and aim for the semifinals on Nov. 17. The final day promises high‑stakes competition at two historic venues—Saint Francis University and F.N.B. Stadium—highlighting the talent and dedication of Pennsylvania’s high‑school athletes.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
