The Francis Howell Central boys volleyball team is once again shooting for the stars.
After back-to-back appearances in the Class 4 championship match the last two years – the Spartans lost to DeSmet in the 2009 final and to SLUH last spring – Howell Central believes it's good enough to earn another crack at the crown.
"We pretty much have just about our whole team back," Howell Central coach Mark McAfee said. "All we had to replace is an outside hitter and a right-side hitter, and we've been able to do that with kids from the JV program. We're hoping to pick up where we left off."
Last year's run to the championship match came as a surprise considering the Spartans graduated much of their talent from the previous season. The 2009 team went undefeated until running into DeSmet in the title game. The 2010 team went 25-7-1 overall and 5-1 in Gateway Athletic Conference play, but needed a bit more time to hit its stride.
"We had to replace all our main components and it took us a while to do that," McAfee said. "Even so, we never expected to get back to the finals. The kids just played out of their minds at the end of the season until that very last match when we ran into a buzzsaw when we faced SLUH.
"It's been a real exciting two-year run for us. Hopefully, we'll make it a three-year run, but that remains to be seen."
Back in the fold from both state runner-up teams is senior middle hitter Logan Jarus, who logged a team-high 177 kills and 85 blocks last season. McAfee describes Jarus as the heart and soul of the team and a calming influence to his teammates.
"We're very excited, of course," Jarus said. "With most of our starting rotation back we're hoping to make it to state for a third year in a row. We've had a letdown and got second both years, but being there was better than we could have imagined. We just got hot at the right time."
Senior libero Dillon Holmes is another holdover from the 2009 and '10 teams. He posted a conference-high 536 digs with 25 aces as a junior.
McAfee said setting was one aspect of last year's team that left something to be desired. The Spartans got by using a 6-2 offense featuring two setters, but senior Jordan Alsobrook will begin this season as the primary setter in their 5-1 offense.
"We'll see what he can do running the whole show," McAfee said. "Last year he was on and off at times, but this year seems to be more consistent. We expect a lot from him."
Senior Andrew Donahue was a middle hitter last year and could swing positions to the outside, while junior Chip Miller helps man the middle.
Six-foot-7 senior Chris Guyot will be one of the pillars on the outside, as will returning junior Jack Gamache.
Senior setter Andrew Tedder, who opted to play volleyball instead of baseball this year, and junior outside Zac Van Booven will also get playing time.
Howell Central will get its season underway Tuesday against DeSmet. The Spartans visit Francis Howell at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, then will participate in the Marquette Tournament on Saturday.
Francis Howell • Francis Howell was another junior-dominated squad last year and lost just one senior to graduation from a team that finished 15-13-2 and 5-3 in the GAC.
Coach Justin Young expects more from his players this year.
"There's a real positive outlook coming into the season," Young said. "We had some talented underclassmen last year that filled roles, and everyone has worked hard in the offseason. They've put in the time, effort and preparation for this senior venture they're about to take."
Five seniors highlight the Howell roster, including outside hitter Joel Durci and setter Nick Lynch. Durci was second in the conference last year with 211 kills, while Lynch finished among the league leaders in aces (36) and assists (544).
"We look to them for a lot of leadership," Young said. "Joel's a player who teams have to game plan for, and Nick's a guy that touches the ball every single play and makes everyone around him better."
Senior Dan Zust has earned one of the outside hitter positions while sophomore Luke Armstrong and junior Alex Cybularz compete for the other outside spot.
Senior Ryan Weiss mans the middle along with junior Tyler Long and senior Colton Bemis. Sophomore Kyler Thompson, who Young calls the team's most improved player, returns as the starting libero.
Junior Christian Hermanas is the defensive specialist for Howell, which lost its first match of the season March 21 against Francis Howell North.
"We know the GAC will be tough this year," Young said. "We're hoping to make it through to the state tournament like we did two years ago."
Fort Zumwalt South • Once Fort Zumwalt South got its top player back from injury last season, the Bulldogs found the success they were seeking.
"Matt Porter was out until just a week before districts with a back injury, and he was really the edge we needed to advance to the quarterfinals," Zumwalt South coach Matt Whitmore said. "We were two points away from going to the final four."
A loss to Webster Groves ended Zumwalt South's season at 9-18-4.
This year the Bulldogs are led by junior setter Leo Speno, who's back for his third year of varsity play.
"Every year he gains more knowledge and a better understanding of the game," Whitmore said of Speno. "He understands what our team is capable of doing and how that compares to our opponents."
The outside and middle hitter positions are up for grabs. At outside, it's juniors Kevin Huck, Gage Walker and Brett Blake competing. In the middle it's junior Cole Simon, senior Lonnie Lloyd and sophomores Casey Owens and Justin Rujawitz.
Junior Phil Hicks and seniors Jimmy Tegarden and Anthony Wilson are defensive specialists.
"If someone is having an off day we can plug someone else in who can get the job done," Whitmore said. "It's a unique situation to be in. It's nice knowing we have all those guys there."
Fort Zumwalt East • Hoping to take the next step in building its program, Fort Zumwalt East coach Michelle Hollowell wants her team to improve on last year's 6-19 record and 0-7 GAC showing.
"It was really only our second year as a varsity program," the Lions coach said. "We increased our wins by a few which is always good. But we're still a young team."
Senior Zach Bumstead returns after appearing in 59 games and logging a team-high 140 kills. He's an all-around player who will see most of his time on the front row.
Junior outside hitter Michael Clarke returns after missing most of last year with a broken finger.
"Those are our team leaders," Hollowell said. "They'll become key instruments to our success."
Senior Trent Epple is new to the team, but was a pleasant surprise during tryouts. Hollowell hopes Epple becomes a strong presence on the front row alongside junior TeeJay Hughes.
Sophomore Clay Sebacher and junior Jordan Swindle play at setter.
Juniors Ryan Schnieders, Michael Stock and senior Chris Thielemann round out the roster.
"My expectations for these kids is to improve on our record from last year and set the bar as a varsity team for the upcoming kids," Hollowell said. "I think they'll accomplish that. It's just a great group of kids that are fun to coach."
For more GAC team previews, click here.
