Who are the top contenders for the state title this year? Will SLUH 3-peat, or will someone else knock them off? Who are the players to watch?

sluh and desmet in the finals.... will be a really good match

yeah, but who is going to play middle for desmet if lischke wants to play rightside (from what I heard)? If desmet doesn't have solid middles I think sluh will take it again...

If Gorman sets (and he should) then Desmet will be much better. They have underacheived the last 2 years but this change should help considerably. They are loaded with Club players and should compete with SLUH better this year than the last 2 years. SLUH is the favorite for 4A, though, because they know how to win.(Swanson, Adams,Byrnac, and Metzger).

List possible starting line ups for top teams (Vianney, DeSmet, SLUH, CBC, Lafayette, Kirkwood, Howell Central, Oakville, etc.)

CBC deserves to get recognized this year too. They'll be able to give any team in the state a rough game with the players they have and an insane coaching staff.

MCC-ya.

Top Players
Middles
Rudy Byrnac-sluh
Vatterot-kirkwood

Setters
Hilgeman-cbc
Swanson-sluh
Gorman-desmet

Outsides/Rightsides
Collins-parkway south
Rhodes-parkway central
Austin-oakville
Adams-sluh
Brett S. (from Desmet)



Next Group

Metzger
Left side for Mo thunder 17s
lischke(if he plays middle)
Kirkwood middle/outside who plays for Mo Thunder 181s

I will admit up front that I am not a volleyball guru, but I watched quite a few matches last year and here are my thoughts for this year.

Rankings
----------
1) SLUH - (Adams - best RS; Rudy - best Middle; Swanston - Setter/L very good; Metzger - pretty solid OH; M2 - average to above) forget who ever else is on the team.
Positives: Great Talent. Great Height. Great Teamwork. This team could very easily go undefeated and win state. Unless alot of injuries or really bad luck they should be 3-peating easily
Negatives: none

2) Desmet (Gorman; Strahan; Bolt; Lischke; Will Strouth; others)
Forecast: 3 losses, including a loss in the finals of State
Positives: Great outside hitting and good passing.
Negatives: Who is going to play middle. What lineup are they going to play? Pat set?

(this is where my lack of knowledge shows)
3) Lafayette - I know their JV was really solid and they have a ton of height. Here is my question. how is their coach? I was watching state and saw that kid yelling and pushing his coach. Doesn't look like he has alot of control over the team, but that could have been one incident.

4) Oakville - If Pat Austin plays. Alot of talent, great players, if they play (If Pat plays, this is my dark horse and I think they will reach the Finals) Anyone know if they are playing this year or not?

5) Francis Howell - Always solid and they have alot of great athletes. (Anyone have more information about who graduated and who didn't?)

6) Vianney - Alot of young players and great coaching. I think if you give this coach some talent (which he will have this year) They are always dangerous and could always make a run. Never count his teams out. They will be starting a very young team, but they have a couple of good older club players too (Tom V, Tim Schousslers, another kid) I really like their setter last year too, I think he had brown hair and might be a sophomore this year.

7) CBC - Not really sure about this team. I know they have a couple of club guys, but not sure. Seems like alot of things hurt them last year. They basically have one player, Mike Higgelman (sp?) and that is it. I did like that they played really hard every game I saw them. It seemed like for a lack of talent, they were in almost every match I saw. Who are their coaches this year, same as last?

These are the only teams I really know off of the top of my head. I would love to hear from you guys about your rankings. About predictions? I am just getting started into watching volleyball, so any background on players or coaches would be great.

I would not have lafayette that high they lost a lot of players but instead maybe put kirkwood up there

SLUH: has to be favorites. If they don't win it will be a disappointment.
If their coach was smart he would move Swanson to libero as he is one of the best in the State at that position, then I would move that Freshman setter(good server) they moved up last year because of the injury to Justin Cole. I think he plays on Hip also, he is a Sophmore this year. And don't forget about Seibert which can be used outside or middle.

DeSmet: could take State if they play flawless. For sure the second best team. Between CBC and SLUH no one is close. (not saying a upset is not possible here and there).Lischke has to play middle if they want to knock off SLUH.

CBC: Hillgeman will not set he will heit outside just like last year. He is a great setter but they need him to hit if they want to win mor games that lose.

Vianney: Still 2 years off to being competative in the MCC.

Lafayette: Losses 10 players and will not have a prayer

Oakville: I will agree with a previous poster. Could be a sleeper.

Kirkwood: Returns basically the same team as last year which was not that much with the exception of their Middle and Setter.

Francis Howell: Solid

Small School: Hate to say but St.Mary's streak is over and Chaminade takes home the Title this year.

For Central, the ones that are here this year are Kyle Watts (MO Thunder), Casey Tebeau, Lee Henderson (HI-P), Eric Ricker (HI-P), Tyler Kheuner (United), and David Sanford (United). Ones that left are Dan Eloff, Grant Miller, Shawn Lafond and a few others that I can't really recall as of now. But yeah, there ya go.

in a rough order...

sluh-
returning players- adams, brynac, swanston, metzger, siebert, mueller?
losses- hock, cole

desmet-
returners- boldt, strawhun, lischke, gorman, strouth
losses- lischke

cbc-
returners- hilgeman, lee, maglasang, droege
losses- ginger, visintine

kirkwood-
returners- vatterott, lothman, beckman, beatty, fonseca
losses- preston

howell central-
returners- henderson, ricker, etc.
losses- setter, L1, M2

oakville-
returners- austin, munsell, vogler
losses- setter, degreef, kastner, gruebel

vianney-
returners- vander pluym, schuessler, trn, mcgauley?
losses-?

chaminade-
returners- kelsheimer, kelsheimer, cook
losses- hill



lafayette returns very few players.

marquette lost mcbride, gomez, strickland.

eureka has jameson, but who else?

parkway central revolves around rhodes.

parkway south revolves around collins.

many teams have talent, but their losses from last year are very conspicuous. the only teams returning with more talent and experience than they had last year seem to be cbc, kirkwood, vianney, and desmet. that said, sluh still has the most talent, followed by desmet, with cbc a step lower, and kirkwood will probably be 3a.

It seems that a SLUH DeSmet final is most likely followed by a SLUH CBC final with a slim chance of a CBC DeSmet final
Comparision
setter- swanston/freshman from last year v gorman/strouth Sluh by a little
middles- Rudy and mueller v ??? Sluh by a lot
Libero- swanston/libero from last year v desmets libero desmet by a little
rightside- adams/seibert v lischke lischke has height but how is the transition to rs?? sluh
outsides- adams/seibert and metzger v boldt and brett about even maybe slight towards desmet
overall- great match ups, good competition sluh wins state

oooh, i had forgotten pat gorman played for desmet...it will definitely be close this year

if pat gorman does not set that would be a huge mistake he has good hands and runs a great offense

Not bashing Chaminade but they were picked to win it last year. Lost in 2. Had to make graduation.
What a great match. Give credit to both teams. Games are won on the court not on these message boards.

Johnny is a great coach and motivator. They may have a player or two that may jump in on the action this year.

St Marys has a few players returning that have been in championship games before.

THAT IS THEIR THREAT. WATCH OUT BOYS ST MARYS IS JUST A TOUGH TEAM

I respect your loyalty to your school. But I can't remember if Andy Hill (their #1 player) last year played in the finals? I know he was out during the latter part of the year with a injury but could not remember if he played in the State Game. Don't get me wrong either way St.Mary's was a fine team last year but if Hill was out of the line up it could of made a difference. Maybe it would have went 3 games not 2
Good luck to you guy's this year Stl So S Sports. And remember Oakville as a my sleeper. Pat Austin will be playing but only the second half of the year due to a disciplinary action

he played in the finals...chaminade just didn't play well at all and thats why they lost

what happened with pat austin?

pat austin is hurt. he broke his leg. don't ask any more questions.

That would not be reason for disciplinary actions.

Doesn't the statement "don't ask" tell you that there is more to the story. and if it is just a broken leg why are you acting like this is some big secret?

good luck to everybody at their tryouts tomorrow!

Top Teams Should be:
1. SLUH---good at all positions
2. Desmet---Nearly as strong on paper
3. Howell Central---Loaded with club players---? is how good are their outsides(especially at passing)
4. CBC--overacheived last year and should be better
5. Oakville---If Austin Plays they will be here at least
6. Chaminade--? on who their dominant hitter will be without Hill although they have several club Players
7. Kirkwood---If they do not develop an outside hitter who can pass and hit they will not be this good, but they have the best middles(at least three of them) and a good setter.
8. Parkway Central---strong outside hitter
9. Parkway South---Collins is one of top two attackers in St. Louis(and can serve receive and serve as good as anyone)
10. Parway North---Have everybody back from 3rd place team last year

Other teams--St. Marys and Lafayette graduated everyone so I am not sure here. Zumwalt schools I know little about and they could be in the mix, Vianney, Parkway West, Eureka, and Marquette.

i would not have cbc that high up on the list maybe drop them a spot or two and i would move kirkwood up 1 or 2....also, i heard vianney is 3A this year now

SLUH-- Come on guys, Pete's gone, so's the two state titles. They'll make state, but out in round one, Rudy's not that good, Metzger and Siebert are OK but not great, Desmet's the team to beat with Boldt and Strawhun. Howell Central they lost Eloff, Miller and Thomas, the reason they went to state the last two years, only good hitter or middle left is Watts. Layefette is toast too with Battenberg, Kappel and Dicck gone and three other seniors, they have nothing left, nice two years guy's, it's all over now. Look for 4 through 7 to make runs this year.

SLUH always steps up and you forgot about a guy named Adams who is the strongest attacker in STL. Besides we hear the same thing about Desmet every year and they always under acheive. Why?they do not know how to beat good teams and when the pressure is on, they have choked. Boldt and Strawhun vs. Swanson and Adams(with Rudy in the middle)---you might see some roofs.Gorman is the real key to improving Desmet as he is a winner and he if can keep the blocks guessing, they will have a chance. Unfortunately, some coaches do not recognize real winners, even though they witness it nearly every time the team practices.

Patick would be a great player if he didn't make so many mistakes, I know first hand, he makes more errors per play, double what an avg. player makes, dude, dad, or whatever you are get real, It's not about practice, it's about what you do in games and Patick sits on the bench because of what he does during games.

First, most of what you say is incorrect. I have seen him play a lot more than you in games at the Club level(much higher level than High School) with very good results. Your first hand knowledge must be a joke or he must have beat you like a stepchild. He can block as good as any setter and he dishes butter(and is more deceptive than most setters). He has been setting for 9 months(club level)and even with that is top 3 in area.

Whatever, dude we'll see court time real soon, guess some of the winningest coaches in H.S. just can't see the talent like his dad can. NuffSaid

I am sure his Dad thinks he is a good player. Winningest coaches in H.S? Each time I read one of your posts, I get dumber. You are the one who said he should be on the bench, I just said he will make Desmet better and help them have a chance against SLUH. What team do you play for so maybe we can develop a rivalry right here?

Mootman, u say u know first hand that Pat makes so many mistakes and never plays...that may have been partly true at the beginning of the year when he split time with the other setter but, from what I have seen, he is now the starter and has helped make hp 182 a high quality team...he may make some errors, who doesn't, but he can spread the ball around and deceive the blockers...if u play against desmet in high school I wouldn't underestimate him bcuz it will come back to bite u in the butt

you are an idiot, pat is one of the top two setters in st louis already. he has been setting for less than a year and now that hes getting reps every day there is no telling how good he will get.

Mootman you are more than an IDIOT !!!! You have no knowledge of Volleyball so quit writting insane comments.
For one Pete is the only thing Sluh lost from last year. And Adams did not even play the whole year.
I would take Adams and Metzger over Strawhun and Bolt on any givin day due to Strawhuns kill % just look it up. I will too say that Desmet is very capable of winning State and with Pat setting does make them a better squad but don't come on here and say SLUH is done. That is just MOROONICK (sp?) And Rudy's not that good????????????another idiotic statement. Who does Desmet have playing middle? Good luck to all teams and remember the dark horse OAKVILLE.

How is cbc not going to be that high? I would even have them placed in the 3rd spot and I would pick them upsetting sluh and desmet possibly. Maybe even contend for a state title. They return 5 starters (Hilgemann, Droege, Lee, Maglasang, Ellegood) and Higemann is probably one of the best attackers in the state along with probably one of the top middles in the state that will at least be able to slow down Rudy. Maglasang and Lee may not have a lot of size but Nathan runs a good offense and Lee has gotten a lot more athletic since last year. If CBC can run their middles well, keep Hilgemann involved, and let Lee get some kills, they are going to be tough to defend. Too many people are over looking them.

this guy clearly has some credible sources for his information

1. i guarantee strawhun is five times better than you
2. no one in st louis volleyball has a 42 in vertical
3. you're right, vogler's setting will lead oakville to a state championship

I'm pretty sure there are a few players in st.louis with a 42" vertical dude lol. and i'm not sure who Vogler is or how good he is, but i'm sure that 1 player can't lead any team to a state championship. It's all the player's job as a team to put their all into every game, and to earn every point. And state is not for another 2ish months, let's see how everybody does before we really start contemplating who's gonna make it and who's not.

Where is Strawhun playing next year? End of conversation.
And there a quite a few 42 even more inch vertical jumps in stl. They don't have to play volleyball.
Somebody tell me why people are so idotic.
VOGLER ARE YOU KIDDING ME. (are you watching to many DRINKABILITY commercials)

Pete was the team catalyst , without him hitting those insane shots from half court SLUH would of not been champs, like they won't this year. Why don't all you people learn to read, like someone else posted, it takes a team to win, but a great player can put a good team over the top, that's what Pete did. Quit crying, when I said done, it was meant in the contents of winning state. I still put SLUH in state if you bothered to read my post, they'll be a really good team, but not a champ. Their going to lose some games this year that Pete put them over the top on in years past.

And Patrick is not one of the top 2 setters in the state, get real, setter for HP-2 might as well be setter for YMCA, pun here for those who don't get it.

"Winningest coaches in H.S? Each time I read one of your posts, I get dumber." The post was
"some of the winningest coaches in H.S." Turn people's words around to make your post look better, wow your the man.
I guess your getting dumber, look at our record.
"I would take Adams and Metzger over Strawhun and Bolt on any givin day due to Strawhuns kill % just look it up."
We'll find out soon enough, watch those numbers drop, noPete, norePete.

marquette still has mcbride and some other club players from missouri thunder 181s

Are you saying you are from Desmet? I am sure your teammates will agree with the rest of us on your idiocy. Get ready for some strong comments.

Ain't saying I'm from anywhere, just some talk'in
Truth hurts sometimes, but whatever, we can go back and forth all season, it'll be settled on the court and then we can revisit this. Just my opinion and you know what they say about that, have a good year dude, just not against us.

Ha then i guess the YMCA must have some pretty sick volleyball teams. Good enough to destroy everybody in regionals including the 18-1s-----25-17 25-15.

Its pretty easy to talk crap when nobody knows who you are......your a b i t c h and i will knock you out.

ummmm....can someone point out the pun bcuz i can't find it and its really buggin me

Sluh-does not lose Cole (he only played in two games last year) plus they also return Byland(L) Walner(DS) and Robbin (S)

Desmet- Also returns Bueler which is one of the best Liberos around

Oakville will have 2 good Sophmores that should see a lot of playing time Luebke and the skinny middle from Hip 16's

Vianney- will have Brockhaus which has improved his game a ton and Mantia

Chaminade- will have Andy Hill brother Tim playing Libero

opppps just got caught....Got to get back to Chemistry

Rankings Going into the season should look like this:

1. SLUH- Still the King til someone knocks them off the throne.
2. DeSmet- Probably the most talent, but that is the easy part.
3. Oakville- If Austin is healthy they have what it takes
4. Howell Central- Best talent west of the river.
5. Kirkwood- Lots of talent needs to prove it in the big game
6. St. Mary's- They lost alot, but like SLUH they come through in the clutch.
7. Chaminade- Always a threat in the 3A.
8. CBC- Great Coaching, the ball never hits the floor defensively.
9. Parkway South- Collins is the man, but needs a supportig cast.
10. Vianney- Rebuilding is over they could shock the world

On the bubble:
Marquette- Lots of talent
Howell North- Great team last year need to show consistancy
Parkway Central- Rhodes will be a smaller version of Collins @ South

What schools could play a spoiler?
Does the number of club players dictate the way a team is seeded?
Should it?
Lets talk about it!

Does anybody know what lafayette's line up will be? I mean obviously they have a good program so they shouldn't be counted out completely.

Chris Cook, David and Chris K, Andy Hill, the other Hill, a pretty good middle for 3A in Push...not a bad lineup.

I thought Andy Hill was a Senior last year. GO DRAGONS