Timing is everything and for Larry Meehan.
There was great anticipation for this spring sports campaign, as his Hudson volleyball team will be part of a series of freshman volleyball programs competing in a historic season.
For the first time this spring, boys’ volleyball will be a high school sport in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
The OHSAA will have over 85 teams in Division I and dozens more in Division II this season.
Meehan is excited, having been Hudson’s head coach for 16 years and competing as a club.
Like many teams in its early years, the Division I Explorers struggled at times for games as attention to the sport had gained momentum over the years with great athletes, towering spikes and thundering blocks.
Hudson got off to a lightning-fast 6-0 start that season and have enjoyed great success as a club. Last year he won 22-4 overall, including an incredible 20-3 in the regular season. Hudson reached the Club State tournament brackets, losing to an exceptional Beavercreek club in the Division I quarterfinal round in Columbus.
The good news – Hudson is packed with experience this year and has a stellar senior class, including two athletes who have received All-Ohio recognition.
“We’re looking forward to this season,” Meehan said. “We made states last year and this is the best team we’ve had this year. Our team is bringing back most of our home group from last season.”
Five outstanding returning senior starters are back in Noah Zappone, Elijah Beh, Tyler Roukey, Kellen Gromosiak and Jake Brown.
Zappone is a dynamic 6-foot-3 winger who made the All-Ohio first team last spring and appeared in the Division I All-North Region first team.
Beh is another first-team All-Region star who is also an underdog. Only 5-11, Beh plays much bigger.
“Noah and Elijah are complete players in their positions and the top tandem in the region,” Meehan said. “Both carry the burden offensively, but are also top passers and defenders.”
Roukey is also back as the 5-10 sweeper excels on defense and earned the second-team title in the region.
“Tyler is a great sweeper and is one of the best high school players and competitors in the state,” Meehan said. “These three players (Roukey, Zappone and Beh) are our team captains and leaders on and off the pitch.”
At 6-6, Gromosiak is an impressive force as a center blocker. He was also a second-team All-Region selection.
“Kellen was one of the stronger center forwards in the region last season and has made big strides in attack and block this season,” Meehan said.
Brown is the Explorers’ veteran setter, who earned an honorable mention in the All-Region last season.
“Jake was a freshman starter last season and has been training hard over the winter to improve his all-around game,” Meehan said. “He’s also a sneaky good blocker at 5-9.”
Other starters and key backups include Junior Spencer Yerkey, Junior Luca Carvalho, Senior John Paul Perez, Junior Joaquim Andrade, Senior Dylan Fritz, Senior Brayden DiMalanta and Senior Ryce Walker, according to Meehan.
“Spencer Yerkey is a defensive specialist who does great defensive work and has great service,” Meehan said. “Luca Carvalho is transitioning from a pin hitter to center (as a middle blocker) this season and he’s already having a good impact.”
“JP (RS/MB) has recovered from previous injuries to play an important role this season and Joaquim Andrade (RS/MB) is a versatile front row player.”
Meehan went on to speak about the veterans, their leadership and versatility.
“Dylan Fritz is an all-rounder for us and Dylan is a will and ability in many positions,” said the coach. “Brayden DiMalanta (DS/S) is ready to help in the back row while Ryce Walker (DS) is a top notch sub.”
“Some of our players got interested in college, but most of them decided to go to bigger schools and pursue club options there,” Meehan explained.
Roukey has chosen to play at Dominican University in New York. “We’re very happy for Tyler,” said the coach.
The coaching staff includes Assistant Head Coach Jamey Price, JV Head Coach Bob Kennedy, and assistant coaches Rachel Roukey and Alisha Good.
“We are very happy to have had this experience. knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of coaches,” Meehan noted, as boys volleyball has one of the earliest first days of spring sports coaching on February 20th.
Hudson, who competes in the Suburban League, is expected to play a variety of sets on offense and defense this season.
“We run a varied offense, integrate most players into offense, and we offer more middle and backline attacks than most teams,” Meehan noted. “We’re fortunate to have some strong individual players who are committed to the team spirit – they’ve grown together and that’s how we play a lot.”
The Explorers, who value communication and team defense early on, have recorded 3-0 victories over Strongsville, Mentor, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt and Stow.
After five sets of 25-27, 22-25, 25-21, 30-28 and 15-11, Hudson had a great 3-2 home win over Brecksville (5-2) on March 23.
“Our schedule has started to improve with two tough wins against good teams in Brecksville and Stow,” Meehan noted. “Our focus is mostly on communication and defense – we play as a unit and keep the ball off the ground on our side of the net.”
After visiting Cleveland St. Ignatius on April 5 (7 p.m.), Hudson will face Delaware Olentangy Berlin and the host school on April 8 in a quad match at Mount Vernon. The action starts at 1:45 p.m
The Explorers play Brunswick on April 10 (6 p.m.) and the Walsh Jesuit on April 11 (7 p.m.) before hosting Massillon Jackson on April 13 (7 p.m.) for a six- to start games final track.
“Division I has expanded, and as this is the first year as a state-sanctioned sport, we’re not entirely sure which schools will actually be participating in our regional playoffs. However, our goal this year is to win the region and then get to the State Final Four,” commented Meehan.
The regional qualifiers will take place from May 6th to 13th, while the regional semifinals and finals will take place from May 15th to 20th.
The first state tournament will take place on May 27th and 28th at the University of Wittenberg in Springfield.
“We have a very strong team and I feel that if we play our game we can compete with any opponent, but there are a number of others who rightly feel the same way,” Meehan explained. “We need health and good luck are always welcome but I think we will be among the best in the region and in the country. It still depends on how we’re playing on any given day.”
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