2016 Top Teams/Seniors

Crusaders1

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I understand that the season just ended and this is way too early to talk about, but just for fun - who will be the best teams in D1 and D2 next year? With Ohio graduating a lot of quality seniors this year, who is likely to be on the radar for next year - player wise?
 
 
Team wise, Darby should be back in D1, they only had 3 seniors on their team this season. Elder should have a solid team as the bulk of their lineup will consist of a JV team that went 25-0 (50-0 in sets) in 2014. Moeller also brings back a good amount of talent from their Final Four team.

X loses a lot, Beavercreek loses a lot. Davidson loses a lot. Expect to see some different teams go to State next season in the East, South and West.
 
Team wise, Darby should be back in D1, they only had 3 seniors on their team this season. Elder should have a solid team as the bulk of their lineup will consist of a JV team that went 25-0 (50-0 in sets) in 2014. Moeller also brings back a good amount of talent from their Final Four team.

X loses a lot, Beavercreek loses a lot. Davidson loses a lot. Expect to see some different teams go to State next season in the East, South and West.

I don't think that will be the case in the South. When you look at the contenders to take out the Big 2 next year, you have Fairfield, Oak Hills, Mason and LaSalle. Fairfield loses the top two offensive threats and their libero. Oak Hills loses their setter and top two offensive threats. Mason loses nearly all their offensive threats (but does have some JV players that looked to have some good upside). And there is LaSalle, who doesn't lose much, but with the troubles they had passing this year, they will need to improve on that greatly.
 
When I meant different, I meant different from this year. I think Moeller and Elder will be there from the South. Should have clarified.
 
Alter returns middle Matt Mancz, setter Michael Von Der Vellen, Libero/DS Tony Dagher, and serving specialist Adam Lachey. Also several underclassmen on varsity who did not see playing time. Alter's JV I believe went 11-3 this past year as well.
 
D2 Next Year

Next year D2 should be fairly similar. With Fenwick losing their starting setter and 2nd team all-state player in Goubeaux, Alter should be a favorite to recapture the regional championship in the West. In the North, Hoban loses their top 2 players (Belair and Leslein) but should still be competitive with some young talent and at least provide a decent match for Walsh Jesuit in the North finals. The Warriors lose a lot, including 4 starters and two first team all-state players (Russell and Luby) but keep strong outside Piazza and two solid middles, along with a lot of young talent who sat behind players like Luby and Russell. The South is decimated. McNick loses star player (Games) and Bacon loses Wilkens, I'd assume they will once again be a weak opponent for the winner of the North Region in the State Semis. The East is up for grabs, but I would predict De Sales repeats. Vernon loses Rhodes and Atkinson, two big name Vanguard National players, and Charles loses Eichel (POY) and Sullivan (their two best players). That would set up Alter v. De Sales and Walsh Jesuit v. Bacon/McNick (interchangable in my mind). Would not shock me to see a rematch between the Knights of Alter and Warriors of Walsh Jesuit in the 2016 State Finals.
 
My first point is that next year the top D2 teams will no longer be competing with the top D1 teams as has been the case the past two years. Hats off to Alter, Walsh, DeSales, etc. for really giving D2 a strong reputation the last two years.

At the top of the state, I think you will see

1. Darby
2a. Moeller
2b. Centerville
2c. Elder

After those 4 I think you will see a drop off to the rest of the state. I think Centerville will be a very dangerous team returning just as much as Darby.

A dark horse team to watch for, I'll say Fenwick. They return all but their setter I believe, and if they can find one will be very dangerous
 
I agree with Brambleberry, I don't think D2 will bring much talent next year at all and I also don't think D1 will bring much talent aside from the top 4 teams he mentioned. Overall, you will see a significant drop in level of play for pretty much the whole state next year.
 
D2 will have a huge talent void next year. How often have two players from Ohio D2 been scholarship level college players like Feltz and Eichel? Then add in comparable level talent in Vandenbrock & Rhoades. College DIII talent in Luby, Russell, Melsop, Leslein, etc.

This year one of the top 3 D2 teams could've easily won a combined tournament with D1. Next year that won't be possible.
 
My first point is that next year the top D2 teams will no longer be competing with the top D1 teams as has been the case the past two years. Hats off to Alter, Walsh, DeSales, etc. for really giving D2 a strong reputation the last two years.

At the top of the state, I think you will see

1. Darby
2a. Moeller
2b. Centerville
2c. Elder

After those 4 I think you will see a drop off to the rest of the state. I think Centerville will be a very dangerous team returning just as much as Darby.

A dark horse team to watch for, I'll say Fenwick. They return all but their setter I believe, and if they can find one will be very dangerous

This will be their kryptonite. If they don't have a guy that can run that offense, they will be screwed... Losing their 4 year varsity, 3 year starter is hard enough. But when he is the one who basically makes or breaks the offense, it will be tough to overcome.

Also, I saw that they didn't even have another setter listed on their roster. Is this something I missed, or did they really not have a legitimate back up plan if Goubeaux went down?

The next highest on the team in assists was the Libero
 
In D1 next year early favorites are Darby, Centerville, Elder, Moeller, and X. Those teams have the most talent in their programs and should be the front runners and the top 5. I can't think of a no.6. To me it's hard to see Darby not being there on the final day next year considering all the talent they have returning.

In D2 I look for Alter, Fenwick, St. Charles, DeSales, and Walsh are the early front runners. The drop will be huge with a lot of senior laiden teams.
 
Watch out for the big 3 this year, in X, Elder, Moeller.

Elder, bringing that Junior class up of which went 25-0 (50-0 in sets like said before) at the JV level. Mallott will most likely be their starter, with the starting JV setter this year helping. Little Luebbe will be a big player this year, with a big lefty swing from the right side. For libero, I see Nathan Duke taking the spot. Elder happens to have an incoming junior who is like 6'7" which helps too.

X may not be as dominant this year as last, with the departure of the dynamic duo of Beer-Talbot, Viacava, and Hartmann. Conor Lovell will take the job to replace the libero spot, as he played a ton this year. Expect big things from incoming senior Evan Bretl. From what it looks like, incoming junior Evan Bretl will be the starting setter, with help from incoming junior Thomas Roberts.

Moeller will attempt to better their tournament performance this year with a strong incoming junior class paired with their very strong incoming seniors. A huge setter in 6'4" Chad Mustard will run the crusaders offense, with returning 2 year starters David Wernery (A lefty outside who can hit line and can fly), Connor McNamara, Jason Bruggeman (big middle who truly proved himself in the second half of the season), and Jonny Rickert, who is assumed to be libero. Also with 6'7" Joey Nordloh and smart swinging Ben Reutelshofer, the Crusader Senior class is looking good. Also with a JV team who went 22-1 last season, expect a good fight from Coach McLaughlin and the crusaders.

Overall -- this will be a great season, with a strong fight from everyone. Last season proved anyone can take it, and I'm sure that teams will rise to the occasion.
 
The east is going to take a major drop as the Junior class is very weak in that region. The top two Juniors are Dejon Clarke from Pickerington North, and Ian Cowen from Darby. After those two there aren't really to many standout athletes. D2 loses all the talent in the East.

Desales: Loses Melsop and Feltz. Who do they return Trenton Hopson??

St. Charles: Loses Will Eichel and Mark, who do they return???

Mt. Vernon: Loses Levi Rhoades and the rest of their talent, who do they return???

Davidson: Loses everyone but Ross Tomek, who else can be an impact?

Coffman: Loses Joel Sotos, their setter, thier libero, and Matt Freis, but return Jack Weisenbach(6'10") Nick Harder(nice athlete) and Evan Setula(nice athlete). Solid JV team that should plug a setter and libero in nicely.

Gahanna: Loses their only two players Vino Cabiness, and Nathan Matthews.

East Rankings regardless of Division 2016:
1)Darby
2)Coffman
3)Pickerington North - One man show but only two teams can contain him.
4)Davidson - Taking them here purely based on confidence from past success.
5)West. South - Some nice young talent
6)Scioto - Stud Junior outside(Derek Topp)
7)Bradley - Possibly could move up this list.

Darby only team in region that has a chance at another state title.
 
As far as top players and contenders for POY in division 1 I think it comes down to 4 guys. I would rank them as follows and in this order:

1. Ian Cowen: I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't win state POY. Considering Darby is loaded and should be the top team and he will be the top player

2. David Wernery: Moeller OH. Will be the go to player who plays all the way around for another top team. Will also benefit from name recognition this past year making All-Region and All-State as a junior

3. Sam Schindler: Centerville MH. Was the West region POY this past year, and should only benefit more from another year and Centerville being a better team as well

4. Jake Luebbe: For my money he very well could be the best player in the state next year. Very similar to Kerlin from Northmont 2 years ago. Tall lefty with a huge reach and block. Will not benefit from only playing front row and being on a team with multiple other weapons
 
As far as top players and contenders for POY in division 1 I think it comes down to 4 guys. I would rank them as follows and in this order:

1. Ian Cowen: I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't win state POY. Considering Darby is loaded and should be the top team and he will be the top player

2. David Wernery: Moeller OH. Will be the go to player who plays all the way around for another top team. Will also benefit from name recognition this past year making All-Region and All-State as a junior

3. Sam Schindler: Centerville MH. Was the West region POY this past year, and should only benefit more from another year and Centerville being a better team as well

4. Jake Luebbe: For my money he very well could be the best player in the state next year. Very similar to Kerlin from Northmont 2 years ago. Tall lefty with a huge reach and block. Will not benefit from only playing front row and being on a team with multiple other weapons

This is why I always find it hard to understand why there are regional POY and conference POY that are only front row players... In my opinion, a conference or regional POY is someone on the team that is on the court at all times. For instance, this year, it was a surprise to me to see Gabel from Fairfield win GMC POY when he played front row, served, then got a DS in for him. I mean, I understand that he was on the GMC champion team, but still... Just my opinion.
 
As far as top players and contenders for POY in division 1 I think it comes down to 4 guys. I would rank them as follows and in this order:

1. Ian Cowen: I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't win state POY. Considering Darby is loaded and should be the top team and he will be the top player

2. David Wernery: Moeller OH. Will be the go to player who plays all the way around for another top team. Will also benefit from name recognition this past year making All-Region and All-State as a junior

3. Sam Schindler: Centerville MH. Was the West region POY this past year, and should only benefit more from another year and Centerville being a better team as well

4. Jake Luebbe: For my money he very well could be the best player in the state next year. Very similar to Kerlin from Northmont 2 years ago. Tall lefty with a huge reach and block. Will not benefit from only playing front row and being on a team with multiple other weapons

I agree with this list except for the fact that you're missing the biggest and best piece of all, Dejon Clark, from Pickerington North. Dejon was 1st team all state this past year and he is being recruited by some huge division 1 programs. Will Eichel did not have the greatest season statistically because he missed 8 games, didn't lead his team anywhere, and wasn't completely dominant as a hitter. Despite all of this, Will won d2 POY because of his reputation as an Ohio State commit. Once Dejon Clark commits to OSU, UCLA, Penn State, wherever, he will hands down be player of the year. Ian Cowen doesn't have division 1 potential like Dejon Clark does. Then again, all state awards can be botched very badly sometimes, even with POY
 
Random thought I had today. Where do the star players of 2015 fit in Ohio volleyball history?

I think Eichel goes down as the 2nd or 3rd best setter behind Kehoe and maybe Derek Kues. For me, Beer is down among the next tier, just below Wessels and Fanfulik.

I would also consider Feltz to be either the 3rd or 4th best OH behind Mike Wauligman, and Nick and Lee Meyer. Talbot and Vandenbrock would be below them in a largely crowded group of strong outsides.

I know we had a thread about the top players in Ohio recently, but I am more curious to see where other people believe these players fit in
 
Random thought I had today. Where do the star players of 2015 fit in Ohio volleyball history?

I think Eichel goes down as the 2nd or 3rd best setter behind Kehoe and maybe Derek Kues. For me, Beer is down among the next tier, just below Wessels and Fanfulik.

I would also consider Feltz to be either the 3rd or 4th best OH behind Mike Wauligman, and Nick and Lee Meyer. Talbot and Vandenbrock would be below them in a largely crowded group of strong outsides.

I know we had a thread about the top players in Ohio recently, but I am more curious to see where other people believe these players fit in

Not seeing Eichel or Feltz play a lot, I cannot really comment on how high they are on the list. As for the others mentioned, Beer is not even in the same league as Kehoe, Wessels, or Kues (firmly believe that Wessels was better than Kues). He was a very good setter, but I would also throw him in that 'next tier'. I think I would throw Cassel in front of Beer too. I feel that he was a better all around player than Beer. Plus being a lefty setter is huge.

Eichel must have been the real deal if we are talking about him being better than Wessels.

As for outside, there is way too many to label.. Just throwing out some other great outsides in the past few years.... Jordan Zickafoose, Mike Powers, Ryan Doll, Danny Brandel, Jojo Sokol, Anthony Randolph, Tim Menchen and on and on and on...
 
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I think if were talking about talented players of late we'd be remised if we didn't bring up Zack Storc from Watterson. He was a multiyear starter, but more importantly what he did his senior year with Randolph was impressive. Best and most consistent hitter that made the state final, won the buckeye classic, and beat a very talented DeSales team three times.

Eichel is a real deal setter, but I believe Fanfulink was better.

Feltz, Vandenbrock, and Rhoades all deserve recognition for what they've done in their careers. All multi starters, stars, and all did good things with their teams.
 
Interesting sub-topic. Difficult to compare players in volleyball because it is such a team driven sport.

Eichel has had a great volleyball career, but I would say his club accomplishments are way above his high school ones. Not all his fault that he didn't even set as a senior.

Feltz is special because he took a program from nowhere to somewhere. 4th year as a varsity program; 2 of the starters at States hadn't played volleyball before March 2015. Plus his all-around game is so sound. Hitting, Blocking, Serving, and especially Receive.

Storc had an amazing senior season, but his overall game isn't on par with Feltz or some of the others mentioned above (Foose, Sokol, etc.)

Would have been interesting to see what Eichel and Feltz would have done if they played at one of the big 3...
 
You would have to say that Owen McAndrews is probably the best outside hitter Ohio has ever had. Yes Brandel was amazing, as was Lee Meyer, as was Wauligman. I will agree that Storc was very dominant, and Powers was arguably as good as Owen, but Owen was a state champion and is currently a defending 2x NCAA Champion. I would argue that Vandenbrock is better than Feltz even though I think their game is fairly similar, but Feltz doesn't have 3 state championships.

As far as Eichel, I disagree that he is one of the best setters Ohio has ever had. He is a great kid and a great leader, but your job as a setter is to place the ball in a hittable location, and I personally don't like his location, I think Ian Cowans location is better. But that is my opinion.

But don't get me wrong, I completely agree that Feltz, Eichel, Vandenbrock, and Levi all had great careers.
 
You would have to say that Owen McAndrews is probably the best outside hitter Ohio has ever had. Yes Brandel was amazing, as was Lee Meyer, as was Wauligman. I will agree that Storc was very dominant, and Powers was arguably as good as Owen, but Owen was a state champion and is currently a defending 2x NCAA Champion. I would argue that Vandenbrock is better than Feltz even though I think their game is fairly similar, but Feltz doesn't have 3 state championships.

As far as Eichel, I disagree that he is one of the best setters Ohio has ever had. He is a great kid and a great leader, but your job as a setter is to place the ball in a hittable location, and I personally don't like his location, I think Ian Cowans location is better. But that is my opinion.

Didn't Owen play middle for St Edwards? I know that was the case in 2010.. Not sure about after that.

As for your second point, all four of the previously mentioned players were state champions as well (Wauligman being a 2x state champion, not sure if Brandel or Meyer were on the 2005 team..), and we are talking about HS not College, if that were the case, Wessels would not even be listed on the 'best ever' list because he did not go to college for volleyball (even though he very well could have gone to a DI school IMO)
 
McAndrews was and is a middle on every team except for one or two years at St. Edward... When he played on the Junior National A1 team, for club in high school, and now at Loyola he was at middle. He is the second best middle in Ohio history in my opinion.

Watching Eichel play club a few times maybe I am overrating him, but his blocking and ability to give all of his hitters single blocks is top notch. Maybe his location is off some of the time, but when I have seen him it is very good

I agree with what Disher said about Feltz. He has been a stud at DeSales for 4 years. Turned them into a team that could compete with anyone as basically the only player well known on DeSales. That's what makes him special in Ohio history
 
The best ever OH's list is long, and arguably interchangeable. Its not up for debate that Max Holt is the best player to come from Ohio and best middle. I agree that Owen would be no 2, and then John Tholen, and then probably Mark Shipp. As far as middles, who after those 4?
 
I would have Jarrod Kelso from Darby ahead of Shipp for sure, and probably above Tholen. Harpenau from Elder would also be right in that conversation
 
I would have Jarrod Kelso from Darby ahead of Shipp for sure, and probably above Tholen. Harpenau from Elder would also be right in that conversation

Agree on Kelso being up there (maybe not above Tholen, but we are splitting hairs here).

Whenever I think of great middles, I always think of Elder. Whenever they have a championship contending team, they are lead by their great middle play. Sooo, with that, I would have Harp, like you said, in the mix. Also, I would put Neiheisel in there. Alex Vogt, a 1999 and 2000 champ with Wauligman but probably in the shadows thanks to Mike's play and scholarship to OSU (had comparable numbers in kills with Wauligman, and had almost 2x more blocks). Then you go back to the old days to John Seaton (95-96). Had two consecutive seasons with 295+ kills.

Also, forgot to mention Nortmann from the 2014 team. Second team All-State
 
For DeSales, his first two years he was the only really notable player for DeSales. During his last two years he was the best(outside of Melsop owning a few games senior year). His last two years he had a few guys on Vanguard and Elite National teams that had an impact. Without the supporting cast DeSales wouldn't have been the team they were either of the last two years.

Vandenbrock in strictly his high school career has a really good argument as better than Feltz. He has three state championships. I understand Feltz has plenty of individual accomplishments and his career has been fantastic, but he doesn't have a state title, which is the highest goal achievable by high school sports
 
Vandenbrock definitely has the upper hand comparing high school careers. Championships are championships. However, I'm not sure I would give him too much credit for 3 rings, as his freshman year, they won that regardless of him on the roster.

DeSales has continually improved each in year in existence as a varsity program, but that supporting cast would have maybe one player that would start for Alter.

Setter: Alter (even their back up was better than DeSales starter)
Middles: Alter
Libero: Alter (although you give the DeSales L a couple of years he would be nasty)
Right Side: Wash?
OH2: Wash?
 
Vandenbrock definitely has the upper hand comparing high school careers. Championships are championships. However, I'm not sure I would give him too much credit for 3 rings, as his freshman year, they won that regardless of him on the roster.

DeSales has continually improved each in year in existence as a varsity program, but that supporting cast would have maybe one player that would start for Alter.

Setter: Alter (even their back up was better than DeSales starter)
Middles: Alter
Libero: Alter (although you give the DeSales L a couple of years he would be nasty)
Right Side: Wash?
OH2: Wash?

I think Melsop starts easily for Alter, and honestly the libero is a good discussion

I won't even count the freshman year title, but that still leaves him two. Both of which he was the driving force in. Also I saw Vandenbrock had more kills than Feltz in the final.

Was this because Alter had less balance? Or was it just efficiency in swings?
 
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