PETERS TOWNSHIP - In many ways, the WPIAL Class 2A boys' volleyball championship could have been considered a clash of the Titans. Both teams entered the finals, held at Peters Twp.'s AHN Arena, with a 15-1 record.

Top-seeded Shaler was the two-time defending champion in Class 3A before dropping in classification this year. Second-seeded Ambridge had already won 10 WPIAL Class AA titles - including nine of the last 16.

However, Shaler already has the nickname of the Titans and made it pay off in a 3-0 win (25-18, 25-18, and 25-16) and a gold medal.

"We didn't play particularly well," said Ambridge coach Glenn Freed. "But Shaler did and they pushed us hard."

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Although the teams play in the same class now, there were some obvious differences in depth. Shaler practically ran a two-platoon system, shuffling players in constantly to serve and, although the Titans never put together any long scoring runs, they stayed fresher than the Bridgers. In the first two games, Ambridge never led - but made every game and every point a battle.

Freed offset that some by judicious use of timeouts but, it wasn't enough.

"Shaler is solid all the way around," Freed said. "A lot of teams have areas we can take advantage of but they have no weaknesses.

"In the third game, we knew we had our backs to the wall (the Bridgers' biggest lead was two at 7-5) and played hard but it was still a good year. Our goals are always to win the section, reach the WPIAL Championship, and go as far as we can in states. That's where we are now.

"We're looking forward to states."

Freed isn't the only one looking forward to states, which start a week from Tuesday at the City League champion.

"It's still been a good year," said senior captain Karson Merlina. "It's been the best time I've had with these guys - it's a great group of guys and we're like family.

"We're looking forward to the states and knowing we can play together a little longer."