No local state boys volleyball champ in 2017? No sweat. Contenders ready for big stage
The past four seasons have alternated between a guaranteed local champion in the Division I boys volleyball state final, or missing the championship game by a slim margin.
Last year was the latter, as both Elder and St. Xavier were eliminated in the state semifinals. No Cincinnati schools made it to the final match of the season. But that does not mean that 2017 was a disappointment for local programs.
“I would contend that last year was not a down year for Cincinnati teams,” said Elder head coach Sean Tierney. “While a south team, specifically a GCL team, did not win the state title, I don't think that qualifies as a down year.”
When a state title is a perennial goal, you know your program is in a pretty good place.
“It speaks volumes about Cincinnati volleyball that placing two teams in the final four of the state could be considered ‘down.’ But I think we all will acknowledge that a state championship is almost always an attainable goal for the top teams coming out of Cincinnati,” Bombers head coach Bill Ferris said. “We know how close we were, we've been on that stage with most of these players, and we remember that missed goal from last year. I'm not worried about being able to motivate my guys based on that.”
In 2016, Elder defeated GCL South rival Moeller to win the state championship. The Panthers also won it all in 2014, defeating the Bombers. The growth of the game state-wide means a growth in depth and competition for every program.
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“I don't think it was a down year at all. I think Cincinnati is still the premier place in Ohio for boys volleyball,” said new Oak Hills head coach Brian Baugh, a former player at Kings. “I just think the game is continuing to expand and you have more teams than ever with more kids playing than ever. While we always want that trophy in Cincinnati, we all want the sport of volleyball to continue to grow.”
Despite their runs to the state semis and identical 22-4 records, the Panthers and Bombers actually finished behind the Crusaders in last year’s head-to-head GCL standings. Moeller won the conference with a 5-1 mark, but fell to St. X in the regional final. In the other regional final, Elder got past Oak Hills.
La Salle will look to make the GCL South a four-team battle under new head coach Kelly Schumacher. The Lancers are led by junior Zach Harvey.
The top local team in Division II, McNicholas graduated a strong senior class and will be led by senior Alex Deimling. The current roster will be somewhat inexperienced compared to last year’s, but the Rockets are used to competing for Division II state championships. Alter maintains its stranglehold on both the GCL Co-Ed conference and Division II, but the Rockets are not far behind. McNick advanced to the state semifinal again last season, coming up short against Alter.
Other returning GCL Co-Ed standouts include Roger Bacon’s Jacob Jones and Nate Stark, and Purcell Marian’s Sam Schultheis.
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Lakota East won its third Greater Miami Conference title in the past four seasons. The Thunderhawks are again the favorites in the GMC, led by juniors Ethan Hubbard, Reese Kuhlman, and Trenton Kuhlman. Their stiffest conference completion will come from regional finalist Oak Hills, which welcomes Baugh as the new coach this season. The Highlanders return a trio of senior starters in Toby Boehringer, Neil Meyer, and Zach Thomas.
West Clermont formed as a club team in 2016 and now finally gets to represent its new school. Coached by Sara Bryant, the Wolves are led by six seniors, chief among them Tyler Brown, Lucas Arnold, Justin Petty, and Logan Smith.
Walnut Hills is in its second season of boys volleyball. The Eagles are actively trying to grow the sport on campus and in the community. Sophomore Dominic Hagerty is a rising star. Hagerty teamed with Lakota East’s Ethan Hubbard to claim the 16U beach volleyball national championship last summer. Senior Tevis Clark provides leadership for the mostly young team.
2018 looks promising for another local state champion. A GCL South team has won the state championship in every even-numbered year going all the way back to 2004. Despite talented players graduating, returning starters abound. The key will be how quickly those experienced players bond with and incorporate their new starting teammates into the rotation.
“We’ve got a very solid core of players returning this year who saw significant playing time as starters last year, all the way to the final four. I think that on-court experience in the GCL and at State will be a nice benefit for us,” said St. Xavier’s Ferris. “For us, the challenge will be integrating a few newer, younger players.”
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The pipeline of talent continues to flow through the area’s top programs. The teams that come together to play their best volleyball in late May and early June will separate themselves from the pack.
“Last year's team featured a very close group of players. I think one of the biggest challenges to this year's team will be to build the unity and chemistry of last year's group. I feel like we have the physical talent and ability, however, we need to work to build the comfort, trust, and mental strength of the team,” said Elder’s Tierney. “I am hopeful that we will be a little more prepared to execute in the higher profile matches of the year. I think that was a challenge that we battled last year.”
Players to Watch
Ben Pung, St. Xavier: The senior outside hitter has the potential to be the most dominant player on the floor each night.
Chris Kiser, Moeller: The senior middle hitter made a major impact in 2017 and will again be one of the top players in the GCL and state.
Henry Huber, St. Xavier: The senior libero is one of the best in the state at his position.
Trenton Kuhlman, Lakota East: The name already strikes fear in opponents. The junior is the latest in a long line of Kuhlmans to star for the Thunderhawks.
Toby Boehringer, Oak Hills: The middle blocker has the skill set to play for any team in Cincinnati.
Dominic Hagerty, Walnut Hills: The sophomore playing for a second-year program might be the most hidden gem in the area.