Most area big-school teams have been eliminated before the state final four since volleyball earned varsity status in the Ohio High School Athletic Association in 1975. And the roadblocks often have been the talented and tradition-rich Cincinnati programs.
If that sounds familiar, it should. Cincinnati football, boys basketball and baseball teams have collectively made postseason life miserable for Dayton-area big-school powers through the years, too.
Area volleyball teams have excelled in all other divisions at the state level. Alter has had a great D-II run the last decade, winning three state titles. The Midwest Athletic Conference and Shelby County League, as well as Lehman Catholic, have claimed recent small-school state titles.
However, only five area volleyball teams have advanced to the big-school state championships. Fairmont West won Class AAA state titles in the sport’s early years, in 1976 and ’78. Piqua was the last area D-I team to go that deep in the postseason, finishing as runner-up in 1992 and ’93.
History, it seems, is not on Centerville’s side.
“Cincinnati teams are really always good and competitive,” Elks senior libero standout Janna Krafka said. “They’re always hard to beat. This year we’re hoping to compete with them and hopefully beat them.”
What’s the difference?
Both Centerville first-year coach Chris Conner and former coach Monte Moser cited an early commitment to the sport as the main difference between Queen City programs and those in the Greater Western Ohio Conference, where most area D-I programs reside.
Girls Greater Cincinnati League parochial schools Mother of Mercy, Mt. Notre Dame, Ursuline Academy and St. Ursula Academy all offer youth CYO programs for players as young as 8 years old. By the time those players are in high school, they often have dropped all other sports to concentrate on volleyball.
That advanced training and early skill development is borne out in multiple state championships. Cincinnati schools have won 13 of the past 18 D-I state titles and 20 of 36 overall big-school championships. Seton is the Cincinnati leader with six state titles.
“Down in Cincinnati, they do a good job of starting the kids earlier,” Conner said. “That’s something we’re starting at Centerville as well, just this past year.”
The three most prominent area club programs are the Dayton Juniors, Western Buckeye Club and Air City Chicks. However, all of those clubs are for players 12 and older.
“By the time (Cincinnati players) hit sixth, seventh and eighth grade, the realm of experience between our kids who are just trying to get in the sport and liking it compared to some of the kids down there who have been doing this for three-four years, they’ve got the mental and physical advantage and the body mechanics,” Moser said.
“Their kids choose volleyball early on as their primary focus and it makes a difference.”
Major Elks players
Krafka’s career reflects an early commitment to the sport. She began playing CYO volleyball in fourth grade and flourished with the Dayton Juniors when she started with that club in seventh grade. The 5-foot-5 back row specialist leads the area in digs (404) and set the school record for career digs as a junior.
She signed last July to play for the University of Dayton’s often nationally ranked NCAA D-I program.
“She brings a lot to the table defensively,” assured Conner.
There are several other outstanding reasons for the Elks’ success.
Sydne Benge is a front-row finisher. Freshman setter Baylee Johnson is among the area’s best. Sarah Burtenshaw, Allee Johnson, Maggie Schutter and Natalie Quinn fill out a driven lineup.
Barring an upset, Centerville should advance to a district final. That’s also the level that the Elks were derailed by Mt. Notre Dame the last two seasons.
MND handed the Elks a season-opening setback. Centerville also lost to Lakota East. Both those programs are state ranked.
Since then, the Elks have amassed an 11-game win streak. None was more clutch than a five-game defeat of Alter.
That didn’t surprise Conner. He anticipated a breakout season after having coached all of the Elks in middle school. He’s big on team chemistry and a commitment to excellence. Both of those traits will likely get their ultimate test deep into the tourney trail by a familiar state power. Mount Notre Dame owns five big-school state titles, one less than Cincinnati Seton.
“I thought the girls had the potential and skill and ability to do it,” Conner said. “I like our chances.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDaily News.com.
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