Hudson boys volleyball set for OHSAA's debut season

Timing is everything and for Larry Meehan.

The anticipation of this spring sports campaign was hefty as his Hudson volleyball team will be among a slew of first-year boys volleyball programs competing in a historic season.

For the first time this spring, boys volleyball will be a varsity sport in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The OHSAA will have over 85 teams in Division I and dozens more in Division II action this season.

Meehan is elated as he has been Hudson’s head coach for 16 years, competing as a club.

Like many teams in the early years, the Division I Explorers scrambled for matches at times as the exposure for the sport had gained momentum through the years with tremendous athletes, high-rising spikes, and thunderous blocks.

Off to a blazing fast 6-0 start this season, Hudson has had plenty success as a club, going 22-4 overall last year, which included an incredible 20-3 regular season. Hudson reached the club state tournament brackets, losing in the quarterfinal round in Division I in Columbus to an exceptional club from Beavercreek.

The great news – Hudson is loaded this year with experience and a superb senior class, including two athletes who gained All-Ohio recognition.

“We are excited about this season,” Meehan said. “We made states last year and this is the best team we have ever had this year. Our team is returning most of our core group from last season.”

Five standout returning senior starters are back in Noah Zappone, Elijah Beh, Tyler Roukey, Kellen Gromosiak, and Jake Brown.

Zappone is a dynamic 6-foot-3 outside hitter, who made first-team All-Ohio last spring and was a first-team Division I All-North Region performer.

Beh is another first-team All-Region standout, who is also an outside hitter. Just 5-11, Beh plays much bigger.

“Noah and Elijah are complete players at their position and the top tandem in the region,” pointed out Meehan. “Both carry the load offensively, but are top passers and defenders as well.”

Roukey is also back as the 5-10 Libero excels on defense and earned second-team honors for the region.

“Tyler is a great Libero and among the top high school players and competitors in the state,” stressed Meehan. “These three players (Roukey, Zappone, and Beh) are our team Captains and leaders on and off the court.”

At 6-6, Gromosiak is an imposing force as a middle blocker. He was also a second-team All-Region selection.

“Kellen was one of the stronger middles in the Region last season and has taken big steps forward this season in his attack and block,” emphasized Meehan.

Brown is the Explorers’ veteran setter, who earned honorable mention All-Region last season.

“Jake was a first year setter last season and has trained hard over the winter to improve his all-around game,” offered Meehan. “He is a sneaky good blocker as well at 5-9.”

Other starters and key backups, according to Meehan are junior Spencer Yerkey, junior Luca Carvalho, senior John Paul Perez, junior Joaquim Andrade, senior Dylan Fritz, senior Brayden DiMalanta, and senior Ryce Walker.

“Spencer Yerkey is a defensive specialist who does excellent defensive work and has a strong service game,” said Meehan. “Luca Carvalho is shifting from a pin hitter to the middle this season (as a middle blocker) and he is already having good impact.”

“JP (RS/MB) has battled back from previous injuries to grab an important role this season and Joaquim Andrade (RS/MB) is a versatile front row player.”

Meehan went on about the veterans, their leadership and versatility.

“Dylan Fritz is a utility player for us and Dylan is a willing and able at many positions,” noted the coach. “Brayden DiMalanta (DS/S) is ready to help in the back row while Ryce Walker (DS) is a top serving sub.”

“A number of our players have attracted college interest, but most of them have opted to attend bigger schools and pursue Club options there,” explained Meehan.

Roukey has elected to play Dominican University in New York. “We are very excited for Tyler,” said the coach.

The coaching staff includes Assistant Head Coach Jamey Price, JV Head Coach Bob Kennedy, plus assistant coaches Rachel Roukey and Alisha Good.

“We are very fortunate to have this experienced. knowledgeable, and enthusiastic band of coaches,” remarked Meehan as boys volleyball has one of the earliest first days of coaching for spring sports on Feb. 20.

Hudson, which competes in the Suburban League, is expected to run a variety of sets on offense and defense this season.

“We run a diverse offense, integrating most of players into the attack and we feature more middle and back row attacking than most teams,” noted Meehan. “We are fortunate to have a number of strong individual players who have bought into the team concept -- they have grown together, and we often play like that.”

The Explorers, who are stressing communication and team defense early on, has registered 3-0 wins over the likes of Strongsville, Mentor, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt, and Stow.

Behind five-set scores of 25-27, 22-25, 25-21, 30-28, and 15-11, Hudson had a huge come from behind 3-2 home win over Brecksville (5-2) on March 23.

“Our schedule has begun to ratchet up, with two tough wins against good teams in Brecksville and Stow,” noted Meehan. “Our focus is most often in communication and defense -- playing as a unit, and keeping the ball off the ground on our side of the net.”

After a visit at Cleveland St. Ignatius April 5 (7 p.m.), Hudson will compete in a quad match at Mount Vernon against Delaware Olentangy Berlin and the host school April 8. Action starts at 1:45 p.m.

The Explorers play at Brunswick April 10 (6 p.m.) and at Walsh Jesuit April 11 (7 p.m.) before hosting Massillon Jackson on April 13 (7 p.m.) to kick off a six-game home stretch.

“Division I has expanded and because this is the first year as a state sanctioned sport, we are not entirely sure which schools will actually be competing in our regional playoff. That said, our goal is to win the Region this year and then off to the Final Four in the state,” commented Meehan.

Regional qualifying action will be May 6 to 13 while regional semifinals and finals will be May 15 to 20.

The inaugural State Tournament will be held at Wittenberg University in Springfield on May 27 and 28.

“We have a very strong team and I feel that when we are on our game we can compete with all foes, but there are number of others who rightfully feel the same way,” explained Meehan. “We need good health and good luck is always welcome, but I feel we will be in the mix among the best in the Region and in the state. It still comes down to how we play on any given day.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson boys volleyball ready for first year as OHSAA sport