Nick Bancroft's 100th coaching win occurs amid Meadville boys volleyball team's dominance
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MEADVILLE — Two entities hindered Nick Bancroft's arrival at the 100-win milestone as Meadville's boys volleyball coach.
One was COVID-19. The pandemic cancelled all PIAA spring sports for 2020.
The other was Mercyhurst Prep, the same program the host Bulldogs beat 25-14, 25-14, 25-13 on April 24.
The Lakers' run to the 2023 PIAA Class 2A semifinals included a District 10 upset of the Bulldogs, who competed in state's previous two championship matches.
Even with those setbacks, though, Bancroft has led Meadville's evolvement into a state power over six-plus seasons on its sideline. The 2009 Maplewood graduate, whose mother Sheila has coached volleyball at his alma mater for more than 30 years, watched the Bulldog boys advance to PIAA finals four times since 2019.
Meadville was victorious in two of those title matches, which included last season's four-set win over Manheim Central. Those Bulldogs never lost a dual match.
Nor has their current team (14-0) after its three-set sweep of the Lakers.
Those were significant reasons why Bancroft already cracked the century mark for coaching wins.
The former setter for St. Francis University said he was proud how Meadville has become a PIAA power this decade.
"My job was to come here and help these guys become better athletes and win," Bancroft said. "But this (sustained success) also is a demonstration of putting the right pieces in place and for what hard work can bring.
"We're proud to represent this volleyball-rich area of the state."
Soerensen's setback
Meadville has dealt with adversity despite its perfect record.
The win over Mercyhurst was the Bulldogs' latest minus junior Luc Soerensen. The 6-foot, 7-inch Penn State University recruit has been sidelined by an extended illness according to Bancroft.
Last season's PIAA title run wasn't Soerensen's only significant volleyball achievement. He also helped the United States win the U19 NORCECA Continental Championship, which was held in Puerto Rico.
That tournament took place amid Meadville's regular season.
Soerensen's current absence has forced other Bulldogs, such as fellow junior Tymir Phillips, to chip in different ways or up their game.
"It feels good to know we've kept afloat without our star player," Phillips said.
Who's next
Meadville is idle until April 29, when it makes a brief bus trip to Guys Mills for a match against Maplewood.
The Bulldogs will return there for the Tigers' May 9 tournament.
Mercyhurst also hosts the Conneaut (Pennsylvania) Eagles on April 29.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Meadville boys volleyball wins 100th match with coach Nick Bancroft
