What's happening in central Ohio high school boys volleyball? Here are 4 storylines
Storylines have taken shape in the second boys volleyball season under the OHSAA. Among them are Pickerington North, Dublin Jerome, Watterson and DeSales showing they could be candidates for postseason runs.
North and Jerome likely will have to get past 2023 state runner-up Olentangy Liberty in Division I. Watterson and defending state champion DeSales, which has a rebuilt roster and a new coach, may have to knock off CCL rival St. Charles in Division II.
Here are updates on those four teams heading into the latter stages of the regular season:
1. Pickerington North enjoying stellar season
Although her team is enjoying its best season since she helped form the program in 2004, North coach Marci Truex said there’s room for improvement.
The Panthers improved to 17-0 overall and 12-0 in the OCC-Ohio with a 25-15, 25-8, 25-18 win over Delaware Hayes on Thursday. They’re seeking their first back-to-back league championships.
North closes league play next Thursday at second-place New Albany, a team it defeated 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 on April 4.
“They know when they need to be mentally dialed in more,” Truex said. “At times, our intensity is not where it needs to be, and we’re trying not to treat anybody differently. You have to come in with the right mental focus and execution to get through a match.”
North is again being led by senior middle hitter Jackson VanWormer, a Thomas More commit who had 154 kills, 55 digs, 26 aces and 20 blocks through 16 matches. Junior outside hitter Jordan Dyer had 133 kills, 53 digs and 25 aces.
“I knew the potential was there,” Truex said. “We just had to fill in a couple missing pieces from our graduates. I was hopeful ... but I didn’t necessarily think it would go as well as it has.”
2. Dublin Jerome looking for continued success
Jerome’s season hasn’t surprised its players or coach Phil Cagnoli, although Cagnoli believes the rest of the central Ohio boys volleyball community may be surprised.
The Celtics, who won a regional title last year, fell to 11-6 overall and 8-4 in the OCC-Cardinal with a 25-16, 17-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-11 loss to first-place Hilliard Darby on Thursday.
“I don’t think anybody expected too much of us this year just based off of the guys we graduated last year,” Cagnoli said. “It seems like everybody always can find a reason to write us off whether it be they just don’t believe in our talent or they think we graduated a lot of guys or whatever reason. We’ve proven over the last decade that doesn’t matter. I hear the noise.”
Through 16 matches, middle hitter Veer Shah led in kills (109), setter Kennan MacDonald led in assists (356) and middle hitter Brady Kilgren led in blocks (46). All three are seniors.
The Celtics won the Region 3 title a season ago, beating Darby 25-15, 32-30, 25-16 before losing to Liberty 25-13, 25-17, 25-16 in a state semifinal to finish 22-4.
3. Watterson refuses to back down from opponents
First-year Watterson coach Keith Kresge is pleased with his team’s development as the postseason approaches.
The Eagles fell to 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the CCL with a 25-23, 25-16, 26-24 loss to St. Charles on Thursday.
“We’ve been in a lot of five-set matches,” Kresge said. “It’s given my heart a test. That’s going to be our MO doing forward. I want to see them get in there and scrap and really battle. We’re still getting used to some lineups, shifting some players around.”
Through 13 matches, outside hitter George Smith led in kills (75) and right-side hitter Ben Gabrich led in digs (87). Both are juniors.
An assistant in the program since 2017, Kresge succeeded Molly Shonk, who stepped down after one season. Shonk replaced Ryan Thompson, who guided the team for five years and now is in his first season as coach at Dublin Scioto.
“I had the path set for me,” Kresge said. “The last two coaches have done a great job teaching different things. Ryan stressed (play) above the net. It’s a violent game. It’s a skilled game, but at the same time, you really want to get up there and play above the net. Molly brought in a lot of volleyball knowledge.”
4. DeSales showing improvement under Navar
Having navigated an early season transition period in which the Stallions worked in new contributors under first-year coach Andrea Navar, the team is showing progress at the right time.
The Stallions (5-5, 3-3 CCL) earned back-to-back league wins against Watterson (25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20) on Tuesday and Hartley (25-15, 25-13, 25-18) on Wednesday.
Senior outside hitter Aaron Firmalan is the lone returnee with significant varsity experience. He leads DeSales in kills (77).
“There’s a lot of fight in this team,” Navar said. “They know what to do. It’s just trying to get them to realize they must step up and be the leaders now. Leadership is a thing that we’ve been working on over the course of the season. It pays off and they keep fighting hard.
“I don’t have doubt in their talent. They’re great kids. They just need to keep the fire and the passion and believe that they can do things now that they’re on the court.”
Navar spent 10 years as an assistant to her predecessor, Andy Feltz. He led the program for 15 seasons and stepped down after guiding the Stallions to their first state title a year ago.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 4 storylines in central Ohio high school boys volleyball
