APRIL: Boys volleyball may be sanctioned by OHSAA
“We are still conducting an internal review before the possibility of presenting it the Board, but it is entirely dependent on our internal review,” said OHSAA Director of Sport Management Emily Gates. “We do not have a set time frame at this point.”
Gates said OHSAA’s internal review will include accounting, to make sure the sport and tournament are sustainable, officiating, to review rules and the recruitment and onboarding of officials, as well as technology, to line the sport up with current membership, tournament and officiating systems.
About 80 Ohio high schools played boys volleyball this year, according to the Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association’s website. That number would have to grow if the sport is to receive full state recognition.
MAY: Alter, Beavercreek qualify for state tournament
Emerging sport status is the OHSAA’s way to recognize new sports among its 800-plus school membership. Girls and boys lacrosse were recently recognized at that level, meaning they must adhere to OHSAA rules, and their season-ending state championships are sanctioned by the OHSAA.
Most of the current boys volleyball schools are in the Cincinnati-Dayton area (36) or Columbus area (29). Locally, Division I teams include Fairmont, Northmont, Centerville, Miamisburg, Wayne and 2019 state-qualifier Beavercreek, while Division II has Carroll, Chaminade-Julienne and state qualifier Alter.
St. Xavier beat its Cincinnati rival Moeller for the OHSBVA Division I state title Sunday, while Walsh Jesuit near Akron defeated Columbus Watterson for the D-II title.
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