JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
Shawn Sangrey, the New Era’s reigning Lancaster-Lebanon League boys’ volleyball Player of the Year, has accepted an athletic scholarship offer from Ohio State University, where he’ll play for the Buckeyes in Columbus starting next winter.
“When it came down to it, I could see myself playing there for the next four years,” said Sangrey, who has helped Hempfield win the last two PIAA Triple-A championships and District 3 Triple-A titles.
“They’ve been successful and it’s a very honorable program,” he said. “It’s nice knowing where I’m going. Now I can have a fun senior season.”
Sangrey’s scholarship will cover 90 percent of his tuition, and he said he’ll have the opportunity for it to bump up to 100 percent before he finishes up in Columbus.
The hard-swinging lefty opposite hitter chose Ohio State over Penn State, which also offered a scholarship. Sangrey said Juniata and California-San Diego also expressed interest.
Ohio State competes in Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association along with Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin – but the league is not affiliated with the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes also annually play eastern powers Penn State, Juniata and George Mason.
Ohio State, which is coached by Pete Hanson, is off to a 3-1 start this season, and is ranked 10th in the country.
Sangrey will begin his senior season with the Knights in March.
“I’m excited for my senior season,” Sangrey said. “I want to have a fun senior season because next year will be completely different.”
Sangrey had a fabulous season on the court for the Black Knights last year, when he earned First-Team All-State honors for the second season in a row after registering 537 kills, 83 blocks and 70 aces for Hempfield.
He was also named MVP of the state tournament.
“Shawn is a fantastic player,” Hempfield coach Mike Vogel said. “He’s one of the best offensive hitters to ever come through Hempfield. He’s one of the best net players we’ve ever had.”
And he still has another season to go for the Knights. After that, it’s off to Columbus.
“I’ll probably be a little nervous when I get out there because everyone will be so good,” Sangrey said. “I have a lot of work ahead of me. It won’t be just a spring sport anymore. It’ll be year round for the next years. So I’m looking forward to working hard and getting better.”
Sangrey said he’s undecided on a major, but that he’s interested in studying either architecture or physical education.
