That sound of free weights clanking against each other must be coming from the weight room in Eden High School. That's where coach Robert Pierce and his volleyball players are at 6 a.m. three days a week. It's part of a routine that over the years has allowed Eden, a Class C-size school, to compete with the heavyweights.

"He would come in during the morning and he would lift with us before school started at 7:30," said Joe Klein, a redshirt freshman at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. "He did it for two years. It just showed how much he cared about our futures and well-being and making us better players."

Pierce and his brother Stephen, the Eden girls coach, know all about building a winner. Their high priority of excellence, on the volleyball court and in the classroom, has elevated their programs among the state's elite.

Winning the New York State title every year isn't something the Eden boys and girls hope happens, it's something they make happen.

Klein played on two Raiders teams (2000, 2002) that went as far as they could in the current boys state playoff format, winning the Intersectional title. Klein was a two-time All-Western New York player who took his talents to BYU, where he's on partial scholarship. The Cougars are ranked No. 2 in the country in the latest USA Today/AVCA Coaches poll.

"Coach Pierce as a high school coach is amazing, but it was more of his efforts through club that helped me more toward being a college player, and I'm sure anyone else would say that," Klein said. "In high school you get the skills, but you don't really get the competition to be better players."

Robert and Stephen will be the first to tell you as high school athletes at Eden their mentor was coach Joe Gillespie, the founder of the program. Under Gillespie, Robert was All-Western New York in 1983 and 1984.

"They each had their own ability," said Gillespie, who lives part time in Florida and Virginia. "Robert was bigger and stronger at that age, and Stephen was really the team leader, but much slighter."

Robert attended Penn State on scholarship. Apart from his records that still stand for all-time aces and digs, he was an honorable mention All-American in 1988 and was third-team All-American in 1989.

His work ethic, commitment and dedication raised him to the highest level of play possible as he played five years professionally in Switzerland and on the Pro Beach tour. He's a three-time participant of the U.S. Olympic Festival.

"Both Stephen and I have seen a lot of the world because of this sport, and through my father (Rodney) and coach Gillespie we've learned have to give back. It burns in us to do things the right way and give back," said Robert. "I'm back where I want to be. I love this school. It's a great place to raise a family. We harp on being good athletes and students, but beyond the X's and O's, it's about being better people. That's what sport can do."

Robert, 36, was hired nine years ago as a history teacher at Eden. Six years ago, he took over a program that had thrived under Gillespie from 1972 to 1997.

Since Pierce took over, Eden has:

Won four Intersectional titles, five Section VI Class B titles and six ECIC III titles.

Produced eight All-Western New York players.

Rolled off 68 consecutive victories in ECIC III in six seasons. They have a 138-35 overall record for a winning percentage of .798.

As co-director of the Eden Volleyball Club, he has helped place over 35 players from Western New York into NCAA Division I, II and III programs.

Eden (19-7) will be chasing its sixth sectional title under Robert when they play Amherst (11-5) on Wednesday at Hamburg.

Stephen Pierce, 41, has made volleyball a life choice as well.

He said former Sweet Home volleyball coach Sally Kus was a big influence, and that she continually raised the bar of excellence.

"We would not have the level of volleyball we have (today) if not for Sally," said Stephen.

He also played collegiately, attending Earlham College in Richmond, Ind.

Stephen is working on his second stint with the girls. He coached the varsity from 1985 to '87 while in grad school and came back to assist Patty Wilson in 1996 before taking over in 1997. He was hired as an English teacher at Eden in 1995.

During his 10 seasons as head coach, the Raiders have won 10 ECIC III titles and have a 107-1 division record.

Eden has won the past three Class C New York State titles and six Section VI titles, including the last four in Class C. The Raiders' unbeaten streak (full matches only) is at 81 after Monday's three-game win over Fredonia in the semifinals.

Stephen also is heavily involved in the club circuit as he's co-director of the Western New York Storm, which plays mostly out of Eden and Frontier.

He has coached 11 all-state players, including Diana Wierzba, a 2001 graduate who's a scholarship athlete at Siena.

"(Stephen) really did mold me into the player that I am, and I, as well as many others, believe that he has an amazing ability to turn any mediocre player into a stud, to use one of his own famous words," said Wierzba. "At Eden, volleyball is a tradition and we were always taught to work hard, to win. We strived on competition. I believe that the dedication, competition and hard work that was expected helped me to become accustomed to the Division I level quickly."

e-mail: mmonnin@buffnews.com