STATE COLLEGE - There was just one thing on Philip White's mind during match-point of the PIAA Class AA boys' volleyball title match against Saegertown Saturday at Rec Hall in State College.
And it was probably the same idea floating around the head of fellow Northeastern senior Matt Thorton as well.
With the Panther senior Alex Barclay about to strike the ball, Thorton and White anticipated what they were going to make happen next.
"I was like, 'let's block this kid'," said White, who finished with 11 kills, an ace and three blocks. "And we did."
That block set off a wild celebration from the Northeastern players on the court, capping off a 25-9, 25-22, 25-12 triumph.
The victory marked the third PIAA Class AA title in a row, and sixth overall, for the Bobcat program.
Reese Devilbiss slams down one of his team-high 14 kills for the Northeastern boys' volleyball team Saturday. (Dawn J. Sagert - The York Dispatch)
It also set a championship match record for fewest points allowed (43) since the change to rally scoring back in 2004.
"It's a really good feeling to get to that last point," White said.
And it was only fitting that those two seniors had a hands-on effect in securing a three-peat for the storied program.
Probably a little bit more for Thorton, who had to sit back and bide his time before finally cracking the starting rotation this season.
"Yeah, I think it's awesome," Thorton said. "When I had a (chance) to take over Casey (Winand's) spot, I took it as a challenge."
A challenge is definitely what the Panthers faced throughout Saturday's contest. Saegertown, the team anointed as the preseason favorites by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association poll, never was able to get on track in Game 1. After briefly tying the match at 1-1, the Panthers were done in by a 14-4 run by the Bobcats.
Junior Reese Devilbiss, an Ohio State recruit, led the way in that game where he tallied many of his team-best 14 kills for the contest.
Saegertown, however, rebounded to give Northeastern a serious scare in Game 2.
The Northeastern boys' volleyball team celebrates after winning their third PIAA Class AA title in a row. (Dawn J. Sagert - The York Dispatch)
The Panthers evened the score on five occasions in Game 2 before a 12-5 run by Northeastern had them on the cusp of taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
The District 10 champs were able to make a run of it behind a string of impressive serves by Brendon Barclay. Down 24-17, the Panthers drew within 24-22, forcing Wilson to call a pair of timeouts in the process.
Any sense of a anxiety along the Northeastern side, however, was relieved when Barclay's last served sailed into the net.
"One of the big differentiators between this team and the one's in the past is that (this team) doesn't give up runs of points," Wilson said. "And that's because they minimize their errors. We don't commit a lot of errors, so that was a bit uncharacteristic for us in terms of giving up three or four points in a row. And the first thing I said in the second timeout is that he (Barclay) still needs to get his jump-serve in. And, fortunately for us, (he) did miss the serve."
The Bobcats quickly took charge in Game 3, racing out to a 10-5 lead early. They continued to extend the lead up until championship point, when White and Thorton capped off the triumph.
It didn't take long afterward for Wilson to get asked about the future. Winning three state titles in a row is extremely uncommon. In fact, the Bobcats became just the fifth school to pull off the feat.
In order for Wilson and his talented group of assistants to pull that off takes more than just one special class of athletes. So it's no surprise that Wilson gave credit to players like Thorton and junior Brandon Arentz as examples of players seizing control of their opportunities.
Thorton finished with two kills and three blocks for the match while Arentz tallied seven kills and a block.
"Brandon has been flying under the radar, not with us (coaches)," Wilson said. "He is probably our best kept secret outside of Matt Thorton. Those two our most improved and consistent players that have shown up. And that, I think, is what really has propelled us to be in a very dominant situation."
That dominant situation figures to see the Bobcats as the favorites to make it four titles in a row come next season. With only two starters, Northeastern should be in great shape with the likes of Devilbiss, Arentz, Jeff Reynolds, Chris Lee and Drew Landis returning.
As for Wilson, well he was a bit coy on setting any precise expectation this early.
"I don't know what to expect yet," Wilson said. "But here's what I do expect. I expect that they will push us (coaches). It won't be long, and I'll want my little break and they won't allow it to happen. They'll start texting, 'hey, when can we get into the gym?' And that's the DNA of these guys. They're thirsty for more, they want more and they're willing to do more. And that striving to be great and seeking greatness and a legacy of greatness, that's what they're about."
