JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
More L-L League spring sports preview capsules for you. Here is a look at boys’ volleyball, compiled by little ‘ol me:
Section 1
Cedar Crest
COACH: Andy Fleischer (second season).
2007 RECORD: 8-8 overall, 6-6 Section 1, L-L League and District 3 Triple-A qualifier.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Kevin Bender, MB Charlie Diminio, OH Andy Eder, OH Pat Jones (First-Team All-Star), MB Mike Stankovich (Second-Team All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Aston Dommel, jr., OH, Adam Hartzell, sr., L, Mark Hess, jr., OH Danny Kauffman, sr., MB, Steve Johnson, sr., S.
OUTLOOK: Cedar Crest lost three section all-stars, but with Hess back to man the outside, the Falcons have the goods to fly with the lead pack.
Conestoga Valley
COACH: Alan Kofroth (23rd season).
2007 RECORD: 11-8 overall, 6-6 Section 1, L-L League semifinalist, fourth in District 3 Double-A playoffs, PIAA qualifier.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: S J.R. Bard, OH Matt Kauffman, OH Kyle Parker, OH Andy Scala, MH Derrick Stambaugh (Second-Team All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Chris Cannon, jr., MH, Joe Hughes, jr. MH, Chou Lee, sr., DS, Kevin Wile, jr., OH (Second-Team All-Star, All-State pick).
OUTLOOK: Never, ever count the Buckskins out — like last year, when CV, in its first season in Section 1, finished in a jumbled three-way tie for third in the section before making a spirited run to the league and district semifinals and into states. Keep an eye on the troika of Cannon, Hughes and Wile — all juniors — who are returning all-stars. Bucks will challenge.
Hempfield
COACH: Mike Vogel (11th season).
2007 RECORD: 15-0 overall, 12-0 Section 1 champs, L-L League champs, District 3 Triple-A champs, PIAA Triple-A champs.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: S Drew Dillon (New Era All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star, All-State pick), OH Chris Ostrander (New Era All-Star, First-Team All-Star, First-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star, All-State pick), MH Ryan Haines, MH Jason Graham (First-Team All-Star), MH Andrew Graham (Second-Team All-Star), MH Patrick Greider, L Andrew Nguyen (Second-Team All-Star, All-State pick).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Mike Becker, jr., S, Geoff Pheil, jr, DS, Shawn Sangrey, sr. OH (New Era Player of the Year, Section 1 MVP, First-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star, PIAA Triple-A MVP, All-State pick).
OUTLOOK: Vogel, the reigning New Era Coach of the Year, called this “almost a complete rebuilding year for Hempfield” in the preseason, but don’t overlook the Black Knights, who are the two-time defending state Triple-A champs — and now have 11 state championship trophies in their case. While seven key guys graduated, Sangrey, an Ohio State recruit, is back, and Vogel called him the best player he’s ever coached. If Sangrey and Becker, the new setter, can get a good thing going, don’t be surprised if the Knights make another run. Still the team to beat in Section 1.
Manheim Township
COACH: Bob Kennedy (17th season).
2007 RECORD: 3-11 overall, 2-10 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Justin Morrell, MB Kyle Trunk.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Andrew Baker, jr., OH, Kevin Hines, jr. MH, Cameron Hoerner, sr., MH, Reid Phillips, jr., L, Tyler Rodichok, sr., OH, Brendan Pace, sr., S, Will Powers, so., OH, Brandon Weist, sr., OH, Brian Wolfe, sr., L.
OUTLOOK: The Blue Streaks are just two years removed from a Section 1 championship. And after a rebuilding year of sorts last spring, Township, with four starters back in the fold, is poised to break back into the lead pack.
McCaskey
COACH: Gus Cuascut (first season).
2007 RECORD: 0-16 overall, 0-12 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Radar Lory, S Thuong Vo, OH Vinh Ly.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Duane Jordan, sr., S, Dat Vuu, sr., S.
OUTLOOK: Cuascut, a 1990 McCaskey grad, inherited the coaching duties from Nate Lyons, and the only way to go is up for the Red Tornado, which was winless last spring. With 10 newcomers on board — including six sophomores — there could be some more growing pains. But it could also lead to a brighter future for the Tornado.
Penn Manor
COACH: Chris Telesco (fifth season).
2007 RECORD: 13-3 overall, 10-2 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: S Eli Baldrige (First-Team All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star), OH Cory Denlinger (Second-Team All-Star), OH Atlee Eshleman, DS Phil Reist, OH Brian Slagle (First-Team All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star), MH Mike Thomas (New Era All-Star, First-Team All-Star, Second-Team District 3 Triple-A All-Star, All-State pick), OH Steve Treier (Second-Team All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Kyle Alexakos, sr. MH, Chris Keneagy, sr., S, Brandon Smith, sr. OH, Pete Welch, sr., MH, Jordan Weber, sr., OH.
OUTLOOK: Graduation was not kind to the Comets, who lost a ton of firepower from last year’s league runner-up squad. Could be a rare rebuilding season in Millersville.
Warwick
COACH: Nate Gajecki (second season).
2007 RECORD: 6-9 overall, 6-6 Section 1, L-L League playoff qualifier.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: MB Corey Felker, OH Max Reznik.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Kris Devaux, sr., S, Chris Hall, sr. OH (Second-Team All-Star), Sam Maysilles, sr. OH, Tim Reist, sr., MB, Brian Roth, sr., OH.
OUTLOOK: With three all-stars back in the fold — including a pair of jumping-jack hitters in Hall and Maysilles — the Warriors have the weapons to push the usual suspects. The time is now for Warwick.
Section 2
Cocalico
COACH: Brett Sensenig (third season).
2007 RECORD: 9-7 overall, 8-4 Section 2, District 3 Double-A qualifier.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Justin Day, OH Josh Wingenroth (New Era All-Star, First-Team All-Star, First-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star, All-State pick).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Matt Carty, so., MH, Ben Englerth, sr., OH, Jordan Wingenroth, jr. S, Cameron Woyurka, sr., MH.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles advanced to the District 3 Double-A tournament last season, so several of the returning players have tasted the postseason — which is always nice. But Cocalico lost Josh Wingenroth, a real high flier, to graduation. Still, the Eagles should keep Lancaster Mennonite and Garden Spot honest.
Elizabethtown
COACH: Bobby Crick (first season).
2007 RECORD: 4-10 overall, 4-8 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Trevor Ammon (Second-Team All-Star), MH Ryan Johns (Third-Team All-Star), OH Brad Kotzmoyer, MH Mike Labagh (Third-Team All-Star), DS Andrew Shearer, DS Justin Thomas.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Ben Dows, jr., DS, David Kreiser, sr., MH, Alessandro Matar, so., DS, Pratik Patel, jr., DS, Michael Paulison, so. MH, Kris Savoie, sr., OH, Conner Toews, jr., DS.
OUTLOOK: Crick inherits the coaching reins from Al McElheny, and takes over a team that is just two years removed from finishing fifth in the PIAA tournament. But with six key cogs from last year’s team gone, Crick’s first order of business is getting everyone on the same page.
Ephrata
COACH: Mark Frederick (second season).
2007 RECORD: 6-10 overall, 5-7 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: MH Kyle Church (First-Team All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star), MH Nick Martin (Third-Team All-Star), OH Jeremiah Yang (First-Team All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Maxim Borishkevich, sr., OH, Anthony Eberly, sr., OH, Mason Rudy, sr., S (Third-Team All-Star), Jordan Zwally, sr., OH.
OUTLOOK: The Mountaineers lost a pair of first-team all-star stalwarts in Church and Yang, and with just 14 total players in the program for varsity and JV, there could be some growing pains — and tired legs — in Ephrata. But the Mounts will keep everyone honest.
Garden Spot
COACH: Scott Garman (third season).
2007 RECORD: 11-4 overall, 10-2 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: MH Jesse Leis (Second-Team All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star, All-State pick), L Josh Smucker (Third-Team All-Star), S Shane Martin (First-Team All-Star, Second-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: David Depaul, sr. DS, Jonas Dienner, sr., OH, Derek Eberly, jr., L, Gauying Kha, sr., S, Bobby Law, sr., OH, Goran Skinder, jr., MH (Third-Team All-Star), Dan Smucker, sr., OH (First-Team All-Star), Dean Wanner, sr., OH (Second-Team All-Star).
OUTLOOK: Despite the loss of three all-stars, there is plenty to like here, with three all-stars back in the mix, plus plenty of momentum from last year’s postseason run. If anyone is going to unseat Lancaster Mennonite, it just might be the Spartans.
Lancaster Mennonite
COACH: Jeff Kindrew (second season).
2007 RECORD: 16-1 overall, 12-0 Section 2, section champ.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: OH Ben Benner (Third-Team All-Star), MH Dan Collins, S Brent Hurst (New Era All-Star, First-Team All-Star, First-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star, All-State pick), OH Zach Kindrew (First-Team All-Star), MH Brandon Kopp (First-Team All-Star), MH Ben Rittenhouse, L Matt Weaver, S Eric Yoder (Second-Team All-Star, Third-Team District 3 Double-A All-Star).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Kendall Garber, sr., MH (Second-Team All-Star), Joe Lab, sr., S, Jon Martin, sr., OH, Austin Seigrist, sr., OH, Cory Weaver, sr., OH.
OUTLOOK: Still rosy, even though eight key cogs from last year’s Section 2 championship team moved on. Bull’s-eye is still on the Blazers until someone knocks them off.
Lebanon
COACH: Tracey Schaefer (first season).
2007 RECORD: 3-13 overall, 1-11 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: S Ciaran Carmichael, OH Patrick Klick, MB Courtnee Owens (Second-Team All-Star), OH Jessi Parker.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Connor Carmichael, jr. S, Matt Topping, jr., OH.
OUTLOOK: The Cedars brought up the rear in Section 2 last spring, and will be breaking in a new coach this season. His goal is to get Lebanon headed in the right direction.
Manheim Central
COACH: Ryan Strait (second season).
2007 RECORD: 2-12 overall, 2-10 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: S Matt Dietrich (Second-Team All-Star), OH Dane Good, OH Brad Snyder.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Zach Hosler, so., OH, Colton Kreider, jr., OH, Joe Lacek, sr., DS, Will Rohrer, sr., MH, Jeff Strait, jr., S (Second-Team All-Star), Steve Strait, jr., MB.
OUTLOOK: The Barons’ first foray as a varsity program last spring ended with just two wins, but Central’s program — under Strait, the former Hempfield coach, who guided the Black Knights to multiple state titles — is in good hands.
