prep boys volleyball division I state semifinal

Centerville boys volleyball ousted by Elder

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 10:44 PM Sunday, May 31, 2009

There was no digging out of this hole for the Centerville Elks.

After a dramatic comeback in the first round at the boys state high school volleyball championships a day earlier, the Elks fell to Cincinnati Elder 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 in the Division I semifinals Sunday, May 31, at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls.

“Elder is a more dynamic team, and we just couldn’t block their hitters,” Centerville coach Monte Moser said.

The Elks played without starting outside hitter Sean Hayes, who went down with a sprained ankle in Centerville’s first-round match. Libero Steve Splawinski filled in.

“I think we freaked out a little when Sean went down, and it took us awhile to get it together,” Moser. “But everybody rallied, and it was just an outstanding performance.”

Centerville downed Cleveland St. Ignatius 20-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-11 to advance to the semifinals.

But while first team All-State outside hitter Eric Wohlford drilled 10 kills and junior outside hitter Sam Sheers added seven, there would be no Centerville rally against Elder, which moved on to the D-I final.

The Elks graduate 10 players, but Moser is hesitant to use the word rebuilding.

“I prefer to say we reload,” he said.

Moser lost nine seniors in 2007, and the Elks still qualified to the state tournament the following year. This year marked the 11th consecutive trip to the boys state volleyball tournament for Centerville and 18th in the past two decades.

The building blocks are in place as the Centerville reserve team finished the season 18-4.

“We have a proud tradition of volleyball success, and each team wants to take its place in that history,” Moser said.

The Elks might even have a home-court advantage as the Dayton region will likely host next year’s state tournament.

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