Elks senior develops rapidly into top player

As a freshman, Wohlford never envisioned earning a college scholarship.

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer Updated 10:20 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009

Centerville High School volleyball coach Monte Moser couldn’t have predicted Eric Wohlford’s transformation from average to all-star.

“Eric was a typical freshman, a 5-foot-10 skinny blond kid who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time,” Moser said. “He didn’t know what he wanted to do or what sport he wanted to play.

“Now, he’s our volleyball nut; he lives, eats and breathes the sport of volleyball. In fact, I think his mom has to force him off the court to eat and sleep.”

Wohlford’s enthusiasm earned the outside hitter West Region Co-player of the Year honors with Lakota West junior Dylan Kembre. The Elks senior tallied 224 kills, 166 digs, 34 blocks and 14 aces during the regular season to help Centerville earn the top Division I seed for the West Regional Championship, which gets under way today, May 18, at Centerville High School. Wohlford also earned a full scholarship to play for Lindenwood University, the current NAIA champions.

“If someone would have told me when I was a freshman that I would get a full ride for volleyball, I probably would have told them they were crazy,” Wohlford, 18, said.

After dabbling in soccer, basketball and cross country, Wohlford decided to focus on volleyball at the end of his sophomore year. He dropped cross country, started playing club volleyball and increased his workouts.

“I was average and now I’m the go-to guy,” the senior said. “My team counts on me to get points, and we all count on getting to state.”

Centerville has been a perennial state qualifier for almost two decades as the Elks have made 17 trips in the past 20 years, including 10 in a row. The Elks hope to make it 11 with two regional wins this week.

“Our minimum expectation is to get to state,” Moser said.

The expectations won’t end at state for the Elks with 10 seniors on the squad.

“We want to at least make it to the state semifinals, but our ultimate goal is to win state,” Wohlford said.

Centerville last won the state title in 2002 and was runner-up in ’04.

Division II: Alter and Chaminade Julienne share the D-II top seed in the West Region. But Knights outside hitter Ryan Kramer was the sole recipient of the Player of the Year title. The senior three-year varsity player was a starter on the 2008 Knights state qualifying team.

West Regional

Where: Centerville High School

When: Today through Saturday

First-round matchups: Division II – Monday: Fenwick vs. Carroll (5:30 p.m.); Monroe vs. Edgewood (6:45 p.m.); Division I – Tuesday: Lakota East vs. Hamilton (5:30 p.m.); Beavercreek vs. Wayne (6:45 p.m.)

Tournament seedings: Division I – 1. Centerville, 2. Lakota West, 3. Fairmont, 4. Northmont, 5. Beavercreek, 6. Lakota East, 7. Middletown, 8. Fairborn, 9. Wayne, 10. Hamilton

Division II – 1. (tie) Alter and Chaminade Julienne, 3. Edgewood, 4. Fenwick, 5. Carroll, 6. Monroe

Admission: $8, $5 students

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