BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Intel capsules
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Posted: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 8:00 pm
Abington:
Coach: Jea Lee (6th season)
Last year's record: 8-10
Key players: Sr. Tim Seydel, setter; Sr. Matt Penecale, outside hitter; Sr. Joe Wiley, Libero.
The season: The Ghosts are starting to turn the corner and gaining vital experience. They're also taller and more athletic this year and that never hurts.
Archbishop Wood:
Coach: Brendan Ledwith (2nd season)
Last year's record: 15-7
Key players: Sr. Jack Waltrich, outside hitter; Sr. Robby Russell, middle blocker; Sr. Chris Quaglia, setter; Sr. Sean Emrich, defensive specialist; Sr. Dave Lehmann, defensive specialist.
The season: In their inaugural season last year, the Vikings reached the Philadelphia Catholic League finals, were the District 12 runners-up and made the PIAA state playoffs. Not too shabby at all. They might be even better this year.
Central Bucks East:
Coach: Rob Minschwaner (6th year)
Last year's record: 1-15
Key players: Sr. Henry Mallison, outside hitter; Sr. Chris Dunn, middle hitter; Sr. Shawn Malone, opposite; Jr. Pierce Budson, middle hitter; Jr. Eric Chmeil, middle hitter.
The season: After a down year in 2014, the Patriots should rebound. They still need to gain some experience, but they will be vastly improved.
Central Bucks South:
Coach: Kurt Godfrey (2nd season)
Last year's record: 5-13
Key players: Sr. Steffan Varghese, outside hitter; Sr. Steve Wozniak, outside hitter; Sr. Matt Ehlers, setter; Jr. Jack Mayhew, middle hitter.
The season: The Titans will rely on a core group of experienced players in an effort to improve on last season. South doesn't have great numbers, but the group they have should be solid.
Central Bucks West:
Coach: Todd Miller (5th season)
Last year's record: 24-1
Key players: Jr. Matt Douple, setter; Jr. Will Varner, outside hitter; Jr. Sam Winderman, Libero; Soph. Ryan Alu, outside hitter; Soph. Danny Klapper, middle hitter.
The season: The Bucks, after a run to the PIAA semifinals a year ago, lost all but one starter from that team. They will be rebuilding this year and will rely on strong defense to compete in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Christopher Dock:
Coach: Tim Mackey (9th season)
Last year's record: 10-5
Key players: Sr. Jordan Alderfer, Libero; Jr. Jesse Kolb, outside hitter.
The season: The Pioneers are always a solid side and this year should be no different. They should be in the running for a district playoff berth.
Lansdale Catholic:
Coach: Kathy Arnow (1st season)
Last year's record: 4-13
Key players: Sr. Brendan Shovlin, middle blocker; Sr. Matt Plummer, outside hitter; Jr. J.T. Parker, setter.
The season: Arnow, an assistant for the Crusaders a year ago, inherits a team in its second season of varsity play that should improve and perhaps contend for a Philadelphia Catholic League title.
North Penn:
Coach: Tim Moyer (4th season)
Last year's record: 14-3
Key players: Sr. Mark Elias, setter; Sr. Connor Sloan, outside hitter; Sr. Jake Walters, middle hitter; Sr. Tim Dickenson, outside hitter.
The season: The Knights placed fourth in the district last year, missing a shot at states by one spot, and should be back contending again this season. And with Elias, they have one of the district's top players.
Pennridge:
Coach: Dave Childs (10th season)
Last year's record: 15-5
Key players: Sr. Devon Rice, outside hitter; Sr. Bradley Nase, setter; Sr. Henry Savage, middle hitter; Sr. Jon Long, middle hitter; Soph. Ben Chinnici, outside hitter.
The season: The Rams are loaded with experience and depth and look to be the favorites to win the district title. They were third a year ago, and reached the state playoffs, but seem primed for a longer run this season.
Quakertown:
Coach: Andy Snyder (9th season)
Last year's record: 6-10
Key players: Sr. Dylan Flor, outside hitter; Sr. Nick Wesley, Libero; Sr. Xavier Villanueva, setter; Sr. Lucas Schan, middle blocker; Sr. Coulton Terry, middle blocker.
The season: The Panthers' core group of seniors have been together for three seasons and that experience should pay off now. Quakertown made the district playoff field a year ago, losing in the first round, but should be able to go further this time around.
Souderton:
Coach: David Stastny (1st season)
Last year's record: 13-5
Key players: Sam Hess, outside hitter; Jack Pagan, setter; Luke Clemmer, opposite.
The season: The Indians rarely have a down year and shouldn't this season, either. They reached the district quarterfinals a year ago and should be back in the thick of things once again.
William Tennent:
Coach: Jim Creighton (9th season)
Last year's record: 11-6
Key players: Sr. Kyle Lewicki, setter; Sr. Tom Del Conte, middle hitter; Sr. Logan Sklut, Libero; Jr. Jake Milnazik, outside hitter.
The season: The Panthers advanced to the second round of districts last season and could likely improve upon that this year. In Milnazik, Tennent has one of the top players around and he will be a dominant force in every match.
Five Teams to Watch (listed by order of strength):
Pennridge: The Rams are always good and this season especially so. With the senior nucleus of Devon Rice, Henry Savage and Bradley Nase, and super sophomore Ben Chinnici, Pennridge should compete for the district title and could make a run at the state title.
North Penn: The Knights placed fourth in districts last season, falling to Pennridge in the consolation final, one step shy of a state berth. Four-year starter senior Mark Elias (setter) will keep this team focused every time out.
Central Bucks West: The Bucks lost all but one starter from last year's District One title team and state semifinalist. That means the reserves from a season ago, many of whom saw quality minutes, will need to step to the forefront.
William Tennent: The Panthers were solid in 2014, reaching the district playoffs and winning in the first round, and should be even better this time around. Junior outside hitter Jake Milnazik sparks a balanced lineup.
Archbishop Wood: The Vikings had a very successful 2014, their first season with a varsity program. Wood finished second in the Philadelphia Catholic League, second in the District 12 tournament and reached the PIAA Class AA state tournament. The experience from a year ago should do plenty for this team this season.
Five Matches to Watch:
Central Bucks West at Neshaminy, Friday, 7 p.m.: Hard to beat a rematch of the district title match right out of the chute.
William Tennent at Archbishop Wood, March 30, 7 p.m.: There are few things better in high school sports than a neighborhood rivalry.
Pennridge at North Penn, April 10, 7 p.m.: The first of two meetings between the teams that reached the district consolation final in 2014. Both teams have even higher goals this year.
Abington at William Tennent, April 10, 7 p.m.: These two both want to be in the thick of the Suburban One League National Conference race. The winner should be able to do that.
Quakertown at Souderton, April 29, 7 p.m.: The Panthers are improving as are the Indians with first-year head coach David Stastny.
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