Boys volleyball preview: Elder hopes 2014 is just as kind as 2013
The 2014 boys’ volleyball season is underway. Here’s a look at how the teams in the Western Hills/Delhi/Price Hill Press are shaping up:
Elder
Going back to last season the Panthers have won 10 of their last 11 games. The one loss came to Hillard Darby in the Division I state finals. It’s an experience that has both its ups and downs for the 2014 Panthers who return nine players from that state finals team.
“Getting that far and coming up short has only fueled us first off,” coach Sean Tierney said. “The guys worked extremely hard in the offseason with their conditioning and lifting and even in the season everybody is anxious to play the big boys and start the tournament now. For us coaches we must go through the process of taking things one game at a time.”
Of the nine returning players five saw significant playing time last season; senior setter Nathan Herdeman, senior defensive specialist Sean Conway, senior middle hitter Matthew Nortmann, senior middle hitter J.T. Boiman and senior outside hitter Ben Smith.
Junior Kevin Siemer is seeing an increased role at setter this season, while senior right outside hitter Bradley Newell has already made his presence known after sitting the bench for most of last season behind a senior.
“He has been a very strong offensive presence at least early on,” Tierney said of Newell. “He’s (6-foot-6) and now he’s getting his chance, so he’s been a fantastic offensive threat for us on the right side.”
Senior Josh Byrne is another outside hitter he sat the bench for most of last season and has made an early impact this season.
“We’ve had a good start to the season thus far,” Tierney said. “We’ve played some quality opponents that have given us a test and given us the opportunity to see where we are so to speak.”
La Salle
The Lancers are off to a 2-3 start under coach Wes Post.
Post’s team is led by seniors Jason Schuler (setter), Jack Goldschmidt (outside hitter), Adam Moeller (right outside hitter), Alex Brutz (middle hitter) and Alban Schneider (outside hitter).
Freshman Will Goldschmidt has made an immediate impact along with sophomore Joe Walden and junior William Frey.
Oak Hills
A 4-1 record doesn’t mean much to coach Chris Morman, whose Highlanders are coming off a Greater Miami Conference title in 2013.
Morman’s team buckled under pressure April 2, blowing a two-set lead to La Salle for their first loss of the season. Much to the coach’s pleasure, his Highlanders bounced back the following evening with the four-set win over GMC foe Middletown.
“You can tell a lot about kids with how they bounce back,” Morman said. “This is a hungry group of seniors who have been through it and know what it’s like to beat GCL teams and play with the big boys. Expectations for our team have changed exponentially; we expect not to compete, but to beat these teams.”
The Highlanders started the 2014 season on a down note after losing senior Andrew Chisholm to a broken ankle. Couple that with the graduation of 2013 GMC Athlete of the Year Darien McDowell and they were behind the eight ball immediately.
“We’re (five) matches in; it’s early,” Morman said. “We’ve had a lot to overcome. It wasn’t until (La Salle) where we were really challenged and tested and I think it was a necessary thing for us to go through.”
Sophomore Robbie Ramsey stepped in for Chisholm at middle blocker and has been told it’s his job to lose.
Junior Tim Laib has been thrust into a more prominent role this season and Morman is still waiting for him to grab it and run with it.
“He’s got a little bit of growing up to do, maturing to do still,” the coach said. “Hopefully as the season moves on he starts to realize things and things open up for him a little more. .. It takes a special kid to take it on the right way and not let it be too much.”
Senior Austin Anderson returns after taking home first-team All-GMC honors last season. He moves into the libero position this season and is every coach’s dream according to Morman.
“It’s great as a coach to know what you’re going to get night in and night out. He’s going to be our rock we build everything around this year. I’ve got to say he’s the best defensive player in our league in my eyes.”
St. Xavier
Bill Ferris has his Bombers off to a 3-0 start in what is his 13th year as coach at St. X.
An up and down 2013 led many members of the 2014 squad to pick up some playing time which is coming in handy about now for Ferris.
“This team has more depth than most I have coached and this leads to very productive practices and great flexibility in matches,” the coach said. “All the guys want to compete and earn their spot and once it is earned they have to continue to compete to keep it. I think this gives us an excellent opportunity to continue to improve throughout the year.”
Senior libero Brian Dahm leads the junior- and senior-heavy team. Dahm earned second-team All-GCL honors last season.
Fellow senior Robert Ryan, along with juniors Patrick Beer (setter), Nick Talbot (outside hitter) and Eric Spoelker (middle hitter) headline Ferris’ roster.
Look for senior outside hitter Connor Skelly, senior defensive specialist Dan Menard and senior outside hitter Michael Schwarz to have an impact as well.