They have, IMO, without a doubt the best OH tandem in the state and a very good setter who can provide some offense of his own. The rest of the guys who should get playing time in the middle and on the right side are all guys who play club and, at the very least, know the game to an extent. As long as they can tread water, I think WH is a real threat to make it out of the South.Walnut as the favorite? Wow, calling your shot now! Who r your 4 teams in the 4 team race?
No doubt that Walnut will have a battle just to get out of the South, but I expect Moeller to be down this season and X has some big question marks at certain positions (middles, who passes?, Tran able to play). Wouldn't doubt that both of those teams figure things out and turn it on come postseason, though.Having to come out of the South is just so difficult to break through for anyone not named Elder, Moeller, X. I would give Walnut about a 20-30% chance to make it to state, which is about what I would have said for them prior to the season last year.
Also interesting, and this is kind of ridiculous that I even bring it up this early is whether the #1 seed from the South has to go through any of the other three to make it to state. Last year Walnut as the 4 seed decided to play through Moeller as the 1 seed instead of having to go through both X AND Elder (2 and 3 seeds). Unless 1 of those teams comes out and is truly dominant this season, I would take a single match against the 1 seed instead of having to beat both on the other side of the bracket. You never know how that will shake out until it happens though.
Once the 8 state teams are decided, I would however, bet the house on the state champion being from the South region
Totally agree. I'm sure the coaching staff (another question mark for them this year) isn't even sure yet who will be playing middle, RS or L. There's some guys who I think can do okay in those spots and be okay role players who have been playing club, so at least the reps and some experience are there.As I've said in this thread, I'm a huge Wheatley fan. Tombragel and Smith-Trondle would also start on just about every team in the state. I'm just not sold YET on the other 3 players that will be on the court with them.
I also think Gilbert's performance against Moeller in the semi's was the best I've seen from an individual in Ohio High School volleyball, even though they lost to Moeller. Willing his team to victory over Jackson in the quarters is a different competition level than what Elder, Moeller, and X will be at this year. Certainly doesn't mean it's not doable and I would love to see a new team like Walnut break through
I get what u r saying about Wheatley but let's be clear, there are no Jonah Gilbert's playing high school volleyball in Ohio this year. That kid was on a level not seen in Ohio very often, if ever.As I've said in this thread, I'm a huge Wheatley fan. Tombragel and Smith-Trondle would also start on just about every team in the state. I'm just not sold YET on the other 3 players that will be on the court with them.
I also think Gilbert's performance against Moeller in the semi's was the best I've seen from an individual in Ohio High School volleyball, even though they lost to Moeller. Willing his team to victory over Jackson in the quarters is a different competition level than what Elder, Moeller, and X will be at this year. Certainly doesn't mean it's not doable and I would love to see a new team like Walnut break through
I know no one expected Moeller, but what was Fenwick ranked in D2?Now that winter club season is over. The grind begin. I do agree with your above rankings but things change in a heartbeat. Just look at last year. It will be a crazy season and I can’t wait.
They'll be tough for the D2 South region, sure, but they lost so much. The guys you mentioned will be key, but, beyond that, not sure they'll have enough.I know there has been alot of talk about the D1 schools, who is going to make a run in D2 this year. Fenwick and Badin both lost alot but I can see Badin still being a tough out with Halverson, Vornhagen, Brockman, and Dwire still there.
I don't know much about the other D2 teams. Who will be the team to beat?They'll be tough for the D2 South region, sure, but they lost so much. The guys you mentioned will be key, but, beyond that, not sure they'll have enough.
Teams from up north are always tougher in D2 like the ones mentioned above. In the South region, there's always LaSalle who'll have a couple good players. In-conference, there's Alter, Carroll and Fenwick year-in and year-out. I'd think Carroll would be the team to beat in-conference.I don't know much about the other D2 teams. Who will be the team to beat?
What is the injury situation with Tran and Feldkamp? Tran has been out all club season and Feldkamp went down last weekend.I’m looking for big things from St. X
Meyer/Pung on the outside will be a tuff combo. Tran and Harmeyer setting plus Jones and Feldkamp. Looks to be great season ahead.
De facto? What happened in Kentucky?Opening season tournament at Moeller is very intriguing! 4 teams include Moe (2021 Ohio Champs), Fishers (2021 Indiana Champs), Louisville St. X (de facto 2021 Kentucky Champs), and Walnut Hills (ended 2021 ranked 5th in Ohio, lost to Moeller in 4 in tournament).
Could be some great volleyball! Fishers lost a D1 player, but should still have some firepower. Moeller we all know lost a lot, but on their home court will still be tough.
Not sure how good Fishers will be this year, they were senior heavy last year. What is the date for that tournament?Opening season tournament at Moeller is very intriguing! 4 teams include Moe (2021 Ohio Champs), Fishers (2021 Indiana Champs), Louisville St. X (de facto 2021 Kentucky Champs), and Walnut Hills (ended 2021 ranked 5th in Ohio, lost to Moeller in 4 in tournament).
Could be some great volleyball! Fishers lost a D1 player, but should still have some firepower. Moeller we all know lost a lot, but on their home court will still be tough.
I don't think they do, as there aren't that many teams.I'd assume they don't have a state "tourney" of any kind.
They have a core of guys who played club this year, and a good coach.Not sure how good Fishers will be this year, they were senior heavy last year. What is the date for that tournament?
Wow! Louisville St. X plays Elder on 3/25. They will find out how good they are after the 1st weekend!They have a core of guys who played club this year, and a good coach.
And 3/26 is the date at Moe, starting at 9am from what I can see.
At Columbus Renneker was forced to play OH due to injuries. Nate has played all over the court during his club career and he could easily fill the OH2 spot and still play 6 because he is such a good defender now.I am very intrigued with how the Moeller starting lineup will look like. Losing 10 seniors last year, there are a lot of holes that will need to be filled. My best guess with who I saw through the club season:
OH1 - Patterson (Jr)
OH2 - Hagerty (Jr) ?? Renneker (Sr) ??
MH1 - Husting (Sr) ??
MH2 - Threm (Jr)
OPP - Hagerty (Jr)
S - Marcum (So)
L - Wong (Sr)
DS - Lewis (Sr), Dollard (Jr)
Pins - Todd (Jr), Jones (Sr)
Marcum is not a very good option for a 5-1 as he is only about 5'-10'' or so. I can easily see Coach Meyer running a 6-2 but the biggest question is with who?? Do you pull Husting back to a setting role and have him swing front row? If so, that limits the middles and sort of forces Patterson back in the middle. They also have an undersized sophomore middle, Ernst, that could fall into a MH2 role? Lot of moving parts.
This lineup will be interesting to see.