Obama claims volleyball title in its first City tournament

The Obama Academy boys volleyball team was honored at the school's first all-sports banquet on Tuesday for winning the City League title, but the Eagles had their sights set on a less formal feast.

"I always promise the kids a pizza party if they win the City League title," said Obama coach Pete Vitti, who previously coached at Schenley. "They started asking me about [the pizza party] on the bus after the tournament. I'll be taking them to Minutello's Pizza in Shady Side this week."

It's the seventh consecutive City League title for Vitti. He led Schenley to six titles in a row prior to the school's closing last June. Vitti has also celebrated girls titles the past four years. He led Obama to its first girls title after leading Schenley to three consecutive titles.

"The all-sports banquet recognized Obama's athletic and academic award winners for the school year," Vitti said. "It was great to have both volleyball teams recognized as City League champions."

Obama's boys team captured the City League title with an almost flawless performance in the championship tournament, which took place May 16 at Brashear High School. The Eagles won six of seven games in the double-elimination tournament.

"Our only loss came in the first set of our match with Allderdice [in the winners bracket final]," Vitti said.

Obama was seeded first in the four-team double-elimination City League Tournament. The Eagles easily defeated Carrick, 25-11, 25-12, in the semifinals, while Allderdice edged Brashear, 22-25, 27-25, 15-9.

Obama faced Allderdice in the winners bracket final and had to rally from a first-set loss to pull out a 16-25, 25-17, 15-8 victory.

"Losing that first set could have put us in a big hole, but my kids did a great job of coming back to win the next two sets," Vitti said. "It's so important to win that match. It puts the pressure on the team that comes back through the consolation bracket."

Allderdice rebounded with a 25-23, 25-12 win against Brashear in the losers bracket to earn a rematch with Obama in the championship round. But Allderdice would have to beat Obama twice to claim the City League crown.

Only one match was needed, as Obama posted a 25-17, 25-23 win to claim the City League title.

"I was very fortunate to have a nice core of returning starters to work with," Vitti said. "Four of the eight players in our starting rotation were returning starters [at Schenley]. The experience they picked up in last year's tournament really helped this year."

The players Vitti is referring to are 5-foot-11 senior setter Canaan Reid, 5-8 senior middle hitter Andre Reese, 5-8 junior libero Rondell Harris and 6-0 junior outside hitter Sadik Roberts.

"Canaan is one of the best setters in Western Pennsylvania," Vitti said. "He's an offensive weapon and has a great block on the right side. Thiel University is looking at him."

Reid lettered as a sophomore, then became a starting setter last year in Schenley's final season.

"Canaan also plays for the basketball team," Vitti said. "His dad, Kevin, is our basketball coach. Kevin and I played volleyball together at Peabody and are very close friends. It's great to coach his son."

Reese started the season as an outside hitter. Moving him to the middle allowed Vitti to return Harris to libero.

Josh Grate, a 6-3 senior middle hitter who led Obama with seven kills in the title match, is one of four newcomers to the Eagles starting lineup.

"Josh led us in kills and blocks this season in his first year with the varsity," Vitti said. "He waited for his chance and made the most of it."

The other three players in the Eagles starting rotation are 5-9 junior serving specialist Jordan Pollard, 5-11 senior outside hitter Mike Adams and 6-0 junior opposite Tobias Raether.

Obama qualifies for the PIAA Class AA bracket, while Allderdice qualifies in Class AAA. The PIAA Tournament begins Tuesday.