PICKERINGTON – The Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association Division I boys volleyball state champion is Moeller.
The Crusaders defeated Elder in a best-of-five finals match, 3-1. This is the second year in a row that they've brought home the title at the expense of the Panthers.
"Obviously this match did not go the way we intended it," Elder head coach Sean Tierney said postgame. "Pressure exists. Whether that's pressure we put on ourselves or pressure that other people put on us and sometimes, I think we want things so bad we forget we have to earn them. Moeller earned it today."
Sets one and two actually went the same way, with Moeller coming up for 25 points and Elder just breaking 20.
It was a sweep, not as easy as one should be because Elder came in hungry even after feasting on Centerville a few hours earlier and set three went Elder's way, 25-23.
But, the trophy remained with Moeller after the fourth and final set ended 25-17.
The Crusaders will be in good hands after this senior class cycles out, especially with juniors like Brody Threm and Ben Hagerty, whose impact in the matchup assisted seniors like Nate Renneker and Brandon Wong in keeping the navy and gold No 1.
Division II finals
The Division II boys volleyball state champion is Badin.
"I can't even describe the emotion right now. Tears of joy. I'm so proud of these boys. They've worked so hard and ... this program has really proved itself over the years," Badin head coach Anitra Brockman said postgame. "Sky's the limit."
The Rams defeated Carroll in a best-of-five semifinals match, 3-1. This is the first time in school history that Badin has brought home the title for their program. They were state qualifiers last season.
Sets one and two were back and forth, but Badin found itself on top both times for an early and comfortable lead.
However, Carroll wasn't backing down without a fight. It was their first time as a state qualifier, let alone in the state finals. They took set three by storm and held Badin long enough to get on the board, 25-17.
The fourth set was intense, as Badin battled its way back. Eventually, that two-point margin cashed itself in and Badin walked away with a 30-28 victory.
Seniors Eli Halverson, Luke Dwire and Sam Vornhagen, to name a few players, were impactful in the matchup, bringing history to their school's legacy alongside their graduation.
Division I semifinals, game two
It's a repeat of last year. Elder will advance to face Moeller in the Division I championship game, scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, after defeating Centerville in a best-of-five semifinals match, 3-0.
Set one went to Elder, which showed no mercy to Centerville and dominated 25-5, even after some switching mishap with the Panthers' server occurred and points were transferred across the board.
Centerville regained some momentum in the second set, pumping up the crowd and their confidence as they managed to stump Elder and gather 10 more points than they did in the first set, finishing 25-15.
However, their ultimate demise still showed up on their doorstep and they answered the door when it rang the bell.
Elder conquered their opponent in an hour-long match, slicing through the third set with ease for a finish of 25-17 and proving just how tight of a competition the championship game will be.
Will Elder defeat the reigning champions, or will they fall runner-up for the second year in a row?
Division II semifinals, game two
Archbishop Moeller defeated Beavercreek in a best-of-five semifinals match, 3-2.
Set one went to Beavercreek, who came out of the gate hot. Moeller struggled with service errors, which set them behind but not for long. After Beavercreek was done reveling in its opening 28-26 success, Moeller plotted revenge for set two.
Moeller finished set two 25-21, creating a gap big enough to keep Beavercreek at bay, this time. With an even playing field, one set a piece under each of their tool belts, Beavercreek and Moeller squared up as the atmosphere in the gymnasium electrified.
The Beavers were able to find their footing over Crusaders in set three, dominating on the pitch and marking another tally in their win column before Moeller could even reach 20 points, ending 25-19.
Moeller clawed its way up for redemption in set four, however, coming out on top 25-12 and not letting the Beavers so much as breathe. The field was tied once again, with only opportunity for one to be crowned a finalist.
In the end, it was Moeller, who took the fifth and final set, 16-14, and will be advancing.
"We're going to have ruthless competition no matter how this next match goes," Moeller head coach Lee Meyer said postgame. "(But), we're looking forward to the war. There's going to be a lot of battles, a lot of fights ... and what happens is what happens. I'm proud of these guys and we're looking forward to playing in the championship match."
Their opponent for the championship game will be Elder.
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