SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP

Boys volleyball preview: Ferris hopes depth proves key for St. Xavier

Tom Skeen
tskeen@communitypress.com

The 2014 boys’ volleyball season is underway. Here’s a look at how the teams in the Hilltop Press are shaping up:

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.

Roger Bacon

A 2-3 start (as of April 3) isn’t exactly what coach Adam Goller wanted, but he understands it isn’t how you start; it’s about how you finish.

The Spartans opened the season with a four-set loss to St. Xavier, followed by a win over Monroe, but then lost back-to-back matches to McNicholas and Bishop Fenwick.

“It’s been an exceptionally difficult schedule so far, but we’re a marathon team,” Goller said. “We understand this is a process and we’re working to better that every day in practice. We’re looking to turn our effort in practice into the games and when that happens I think we’ll be just fine.”

Junior Bobby Wilking is back at outside hitter where he is looking to fill the big shoes of Erik Edwards who graduated last year.

“Bobby had big shoes to fill and he’s embraced the opportunity,” Goller said. “He’s absolutely a leader and we’re happy about that because he’s definitely the guy to do that.”

Senior Max Bishop is back at setter where he is joined by right outside hitter Robby Heywood and defensive specialists Alex Brenner and Steven Post.

Junior Jack Hausfeld is back after seeing a minimal amount of varsity playing time last season but is making “good progress” this season according to Goller.

The slow start is something the Spartans aren’t used to, but the three-time defending Greater Catholic League Central champions aren’t backing down just yet according to their coach.

“These guys go through very difficult practices and we sort of foster that winner’s mentality here at Roger Bacon along with that confident approach.”

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.