Ohiohsvb.com                    News About Ohio High School Volleyball

Home
About the Website
Contacting the Website
Contributing To the Site
Navigation
Common Questions
News On Border States
Links To Other Sites

Moeller, Centerville title rematch a possibility

Thursday March 30, 2005

By Jim Jicha

It’s hard to believe it, but the volleyball season has finally started. Being a creature of habit, I associate major upcoming events with other things going on around me. And with winter dragging on through March the season seemed a long way off.

This winter actually reminded me of one aspect of volleyball. It started off very cold, with a foot of snow followed by 14° below zero on Christmas Eve. Then the monsoons came and the first two weeks of January were like March, with the temperature topping out at 69°. Even the daffodils were confused. But winter returned with a vengeance and lingered until this week.

Talk about momentum swings!

Now that is behind us and the most pressing concern is whether Centerville will topple Cincinnati Moeller.

Last year Moeller was the epitome of consistency, cruising to a 27-1 record and nipping the Elks in the state final 22-25, 25-19, 28-26, 19-25, 15-12.

Both teams return oodles of talent and, depending on the state tourney pairings, they could be headed for a title rematch.

Centerville is so loaded they have four co-captains: 6'5'' middle blocker Tyler Jolley, 6'5" outside hitter Ryan Devine, 6'3" outside hitter Brandon Pollak, and middle hitter Jesse Manders. Setting will be 6’4” junior Ryan Versen. Devine, Pollak and Manders were members of the Cincinnati Attack 18s that won the Ohio Valley Regional Junior Olympic championship on March 6.

An added incentive for the Elks is that the state tournament will be held in Dayton this year.

Moeller needs to replace Player of the Year Robbie Klein, but they are well rounded with a potent offense and a very capable defense. Sounds a lot like last year, doesn’t it?

The Crusaders will have one of the smallest teams in memory with no junior/senior over 6’2”. But come to think of it, 2004’s edition was only a tad taller. Most importantly, their leader corps is intact.

Moeller will be led by outside hitter Mark Wimmers, who paced their title run in kills and digs. Libero Nick Engel has been their passing average leader for two years. Chris Lovett is 27-1 as a starting setter and holds the single season assist record. Middle hitter Dustin Hunter was tops in kill efficiency and block assists. Adding depth is Keith Brandner who contributed 110 kills, 18 aces, and 45 blocks in 2004.

The Crusaders are clearly a team to be reckoned with, but they live in the South region, which is stacked as usual.

St. Xavier returns last year’s starting setter, junior Steve Kehoe, who is getting looks from many schools, including Ohio State. All the Bombers need is some kids to step up on offense and become impact players. St. X's strong defense and ball control will carry them past many teams.

(You may remember Steve’s sister Bryn who in 2003 set for high school national champion Cincinnati St. Ursula and was named National Player of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com. She went on to even greater things this past fall as the setter for NCAA Division I titlist Stanford.)

LaSalle, who made the Elite Eight last year, will be paced by 6’3” setter/outside hitter Colin Flynn, considered by some the best volleyball athlete in Ohio. The Lancers return a number of starters who anchored their team last year. They will be big and very physical with lots of blocks and power swings.

Purcell Marian looks to regain their regional final's form from the late 90's. The Cavaliers will be led by 6’9” middle hitter Max Holt who will play for Penn State next year. He will be joined by 6’4” Jordan Peelman at middle, and 6’4” Findlay prospect Mike Fisk at setter.

Elder has another solid hitting team with 6’5” middles Mark Lucas and Brian Barth. Lucas led the Panthers in kills and blocks last year. Barth will provide another big block and add power on offense. The defense will be anchored by Joe Super and Eric Grimm, both of whom possess outstanding court awareness and exercise great ball control. Grimm was second on the team in digs as a sophomore. The Panthers have two junior setters. It will be interesting to see this team in Centerville’s Elite Eight tournament come April 30.

Sycamore must replace their middles but they return an otherwise very skilled and experienced squad. The Aviators will be led by 2nd Team All State outside hitter Chris Grannen, along with Curtis Jones.

Fairfield will be led by Jason Tobkin, a dominant front court player who will soon take a one year hiatus for missionary work, then move on to Ohio State.

Now remember, only two of these fine teams can make it to Dayton!

Turning to the West, Fairborn could give Centerville a run for their money with three All West returnees in middle/outside hitter Jarrod Birchfield, outside Dan Holloway and setter/outside Steve Hale. Also returning for the Skyhawks are last year’s team leaders in blocking, Justin Birchfield and Derek Benson, along with outside hitter Chuck Cheatam. With only five home matches, Fairborn should be well tested for the road rigors of the state tournament.

Lakota East will also be a factor. Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year Alex Hoekstra returns at setter, accompanied by sophomore outside hitter Doug Spotts, both of whom played on the All-Region champion Cincinnati Attack. The Thunderhawks look to be strong on the block.

Other possibilities include Chaminade-Julienne, who will be paced by second Team All State selection Alex Treadway, and Tri-Village with junior Dan Foreman.

In the East almost everybody picks Hilliard Darby as one of their teams to beat. The Panthers return several members from last year's squad who have improved their game playing club in the off-season. They will be led by strong outside hitter Jason Martin, a four year varsity starter, and setter Jake McCrae.

Darby’s “second” team beat their “first” in the semifinals of the Delaware Summer League championship tourney, showing their depth.

But watch out for Pickerington North. These Panthers also return most everybody and they beat the Darby Panthers to win the Delaware Summer League. Top players are setter Eric Cardenas, and Drew Evans.

Worthington Kilbourne will have the hitting to make a repeat Elite Eight showing. The Wolves will be paced in the middle by the strong spiking and blocking of senior Nick Baehr. On the outsides will be Kevin Lookabaugh, second on the team in kills and Honorable Mention All-Region as a sophomore, and Danny Sanders.

Westerville South will be much improved. The Wildcats will be captained by setter/outside hitter David Brodine, a 2nd Team East Region selection in 2004. They have an excellent setter in Doug Gautier, hitters Derek Laird and James Hofmann and a top all around player in Spencer Randall. Hofman is an excellent passer.

Gahanna has an experienced senior nucleus in outside hitters Ben Bressler and Travis Conner, and setter Colin Russo.

St. Charles will have another solid team with outside/middle John Hanson and outside Rob Linebaugh, both of whom can pound the ball. The Cardinals are also counting on middle James Dodaro and setter Pat Fulton, both seniors, to carry them far.

Hilliard Davidson will try to upset rival Darby’s apple cart led by Michael Nahm at setter and Ryan Cahill in the middle.

Dublin Coffman could return to power, and you can never count out Watterson.

Other players to watch in the East are Luc Nutter of Upper Arlington and Grant Ebright from Thomas Worthington.

Turning to the North Lakewood St. Edward appears the strongest again with most of their team returning. The Eagles will be led by senior outside hitter Andy Pompei, who could be a libero in college, and 6’4” outside Paul Grybowski.

The rest of the region is wide open with the talent spread around, but since many teams have promising younger players, someone may break from the pack.

Mount Vernon, which is geographically located in central Ohio, will be in the hunt for a repeat state berth. The Yellow Jackets have three top players in outside hitter Alex Nixon, opposite John Vonck, and middle blocker Grant Cassell.

Walsh Jesuit will be led by junior setter Brad Seislove, and senior outside hitter Jake Dull.

Stow will counter with senior setter Justin Hengle and junior outside hitter Mike Bass.

Other players and teams to watch are: Uniontown Lake with junior middle Mike Volzer; Massillon Jackson and junior setter Chris Diroll; Kent Roosevelt and junior outside Jacob Vanags; and, Akron Hoban with senior Bryan Milane.

Things should clarify early on because St. Charles and Stow are hosting big tournaments this weekend, and Kilbourne’s Wolf Classic will follow next week. Almost everyone who is anyone will play in at least one of these.