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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 9:43 PM Saturday, May 23, 2009

Chaminade Julienne middle hitter David Kracirik ran off the court, into the bleachers and out to the parking lot.

There was no time to celebrate – the Eagles senior wanted to graduate. Kracirik was one of five CJ players who raced from Centerville High School to the Schuster Center to pick up their diplomas just minutes after winning the boys Division II West Division regional title Saturday, May 23. The Eagles battled to a 31-29, 24-26, 25-21, 25-20 win over rival Alter to earn their first trip to the state tournament.

“It’s a very big deal to be going to state,” Kracirik said. “And having graduation today probably helped us keep our focus.”

The bright orange headbands and “LP” patches the Eagles wore also helped the CJ squad remember what was important – their former teammate Lucas Pfander, who died in July 2008.

“It was an emotional year for these guys, especially the seniors, because they would have graduated with Lucas this year,” CJ coach Megan Marrinan said. “They really stepped up today.”

Senior outside hitter Ethan Klosterman, a four-year varsity starter, led the offensive attack for the Eagles with 20 kills and two aces.

“He is definitely the rock of our team,” Marrinan said. “We really count on him up front.”

All of the CJ seniors did their part. Defensive specialist Dan Marrinan had 17 digs and a pair of aces, middle hitter Charlie Jackson tallied 10 kills, Kracirik added nine kills and a pair of blocks and Nathan Constable posted three blocks.

The Eagles will play in the state semifinals Saturday, May 30, at 12:30 p.m. at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls.

• Centerville made quick work of Fairborn, 25-10, 25-15, 25-8, in the Division I West regional final Saturday and will make its 11th consecutive trip to state, 18th in the past two decades. Centerville will play at 5 p.m. Saturday.

“We expect to go to state,” Centerville coach Monte Moser said. “Now, we go to win it.”

After breezing through the regional tournament without dropping a game, the 23-3 Elks will call on friends and family to help them prepare for the parochial powers they will face at state. Moser will bring in alumni and other players to practice this week.

• Lakota West earned a repeat trip to state with a 28-18, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19 win over Fairmont in the other DI regional final. Lakota West, now 20-2, advanced to the elite eight last year, falling to eventual champion Elder.

The Fairmont Firebirds, who finished the season 17-9, were led by the senior trio of Dan Wagner, Mike Tabisz and Cody Williams with 36 assists, 13 kills and three blocks, respectively.

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