Not a bad set-up



BUTLER TWP — A hip flexor injury and lack of interest put an end to Matt Wetzel's track career.

It wasn't all bad.
That opened up a spot in the spring for the
Butler junior to give volleyball a try.
When he was in middle school, his sister, Katelyn, was friends with players on the boys volleyball team.
That led to his interest and his going out for the team as a sophomore.
“I was always close to the sport because my sister was friends with the boys on the volleyball team,” Wetzel said. “When they practiced in
Center Township, I practiced with them.”
Wetzel has found a home as a setter and has helped a young Golden Tornado team get into the playoff race.
Butler is 8-5 overall and 5-5 in Section 2-AAA play. The Golden Tornado clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 win over Shaler.
Golden Tornado coach Lew Liparulo thought Wetzel would make a good setter.
He was the primary setter for the junior varsity team last season.
“Before and after practice, we got a lot of reps in,” Liparulo said. “He's taken big steps. At the beginning of the season, he might get called for six or seven bad sets a match. Now, he's down in the normal range at one or two.”
Wetzel has benefitted from having hitters that were able to get used to his pace.
Both of the Golden Tornado's top hitters are new to the rotation.
Freshman Nash Bryan has stepped in along with senior Chris Fiorina, who moved from libero last season.
“The progress has been exponential,” Fiorina said of Wetzel. “It's been fantastic playing and watching him grow. He started the season later than the rest of us. He grew up with us and helped us throughout the season.”
Wetzel got started late with the varsity squad because he qualified for the state bowling championships, which were held March 23.
“The team had to adjust and get used to me,” Wetzel said. “(The pace) is a lot faster now. We've come together and learned from our mistakes.”
Wetzel played a big role in
Butler's 3-2 win over Pine-Richland April 2, handing out 28 assists.
The Golden Tornado rallied from being down two sets to one to steal a win on the road.
He leads the team with 266 assists.
Liparulo said the biggest thing with this Golden Tornado team is stressing decision-making and communication. He felt that Wetzel's skill set lent itself to setting.
“We have our hitters communicate effectively,” Liparulo said. “You can't put the chicken before the egg. You need to work on passing and get consistency in setting. Then you have to be able to hit effectively.”
Bryan and Fiorina have also settled in and lead the team in kills. Fiorina has 243 kills,
Bryan has 204 and Rob Kunst is third with 130.
“I made the adjustment pretty nicely,” Fiorina said. “I think playing in the back row a lot helps me a get a more complete sense of the game.”
A lot of moving pieces found their place this season for the Golden Tornado.
Wetzel hopes it can lead to postseason success.
“We need to try and win out the rest of the season,” Wetzel said. “I think our last game is a difficult one. But we have Shaler (today) and we need to go out and dominate them to get moment for the rest of the season.”