california shine
LOS ANGELES — When Cole McDonough was a senior at Seneca Valley, he helped the Raiders boys volleyball team finish as runner-up in PIAA Class 3A.
Coleman McDonough, a Seneca Valley graduate and sophomore on the UCLA men's volleyball team, shows off the team's second consecutive NCAA championship trophy.Submitted photo
He achieved even more in college.
McDonough, a sophomore political science major at UCLA, recently helped the Bruins win their second consecutive NCAA men's volleyball championship with a 3-1 victory over Long Beach State. UCLA's victory ended Long Beach's home court winning streak at 27.
UCLA was the top seed in the tournament, and Long Beach State was the second seed.
“They change the tournament every year, and the school that hosted them the year they were really good happened to be Long Beach,” McDonough said. “Their venue could hold 5,000 people and was pretty packed.
“We knew what we had to do and we jumped in there and did it.”
The Bruins won the title match by scores of 25-21, 25-20, 27-29, 25-21.
Ohio State University will host next year's NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship. UCLA will host the event in 2026, McDonough's senior year.
McDonough was the 2022 WPIAL Men's Volleyball MVP at Seneca Valley. He was also an All-State performer. But at UCLA, the 5-foot-11 sophomore played more of a serving specialist role and occasional libero this year.
“I realized I have to be selfless here and do what's best for the team,” McDonough said. “That's the talent and culture we have at UCLA. Everybody on this team has to be selfless. There's a lot of guys on other teams who can be All-Americans. That's the depth of our talent.
“It's nice to see that overall selflessness pay off in the form of a championship.”
Seneca Valley coach Brett Poirier recalled McDonough hanging around the gym when he was younger. His older sister Madison played women's volleyball for the Raiders.
“I knew right away he was going to be a special player,” Poirier said. “He's been a great team man since going to UCLA. Hopefully he can get more playing time as a junior and senior.”
UCLA finished 26-5 this season, one of which was a regular season loss to Long Beach State. McDonough had a season-best five in games against USC and Fort Valley State.
The Bruins won back-to-back NCAA men's volleyball championships for the first time since 1995-1996. This program won 21 of his NCAA titles.
“That's one of the reasons I came here, to be a part of something special,” McDonough said. “I was far away from my family and it meant a lot for them to be able to be in the championship game. Whenever we play nearby Ohio State or Penn System, they are there.
“We only lost a few seniors from last year's team. We ended up losing four or five starters this year, including the libero. We'll see what that means to me. “I'm here to help the team win. That's it.”
McDonough added that UCLA plays in front of thousands of fans nearly every game, both home and away.
“At first it was an adjustment for me,” he admitted. “Last year, my first appearance was in Hawaii in front of 13,000 people. I learned really quickly.”
By the time McDioneau was a senior at Seneca Valley, Poirier said he could do it all.
“We're talking about every position, from front row to libero to setter,” the Raiders coach said. “It didn't matter where we put him. He was an incredibly versatile player and I'm sure he still is.”
McDonough remains grateful to her family for taking the time to drive her to Columbus, Ohio, to attend her volleyball club when she was a student.
“They have contributed to my development as a player,” he said. “I'll never forget it.”
