Cathedral Boy’s Volleyball was once a powerhouse. The program, led by then Head Coach Rhonda Lowe, Won seven State Championships in ten years, spanning from 1999 to 2008. However, it has been seven years since the team’s last title, and they have failed to reach the State Championship since winning in 2016.
This year’s team hopes to return the program back to where it was around 20 years ago, and, led by a strong group of upperclassmen, they are off to a great start. The team is 15-3 to start the year, good for a ranking of #2 in the state via MaxPreps, behind only Roncalli, who holds a 17-2 record with the Irish being one of those losses. MaxPreps also has the team ranked 49th in the entire country.
Though Roncalli will be tough to beat when the State Tournament comes around, the team has proven that they can play with the Royals. The two teams have already faced off twice this year, the Irish winning the first 2-1 but dropping the second matchup in two sets.
The Royals will travel to the Hill for the ultimate game of the regular season series between the teams on April 23. Another win against Roncalli would give the team a serious confidence boost as the regular season comes to a close. A focus of the team thus far, according to senior Adam Miller, is to “close the gap between great and State Champion (level of play)”. A win over the Royals would certainly accomplish that.
This year’s team is led by a core group of upperclassmen with considerable varsity experience. The senior group is very talented and experienced, and it is led by Lincoln Hieser, a two-year starter who is currently leading the team in kills with 157 and aces with 18. He said, “This year I’ve been performing very well and I’m on track to break my previous season stats.”
Miller is also a two-year starter, and is second to Hieser with 127 kills. Austin Rowe has tallied 100 kills and has been a consistent server, leading the team in serves attempted. Andrew Gerdts and Brayden Ward have also played significant roles in their senior seasons.
A State Championship would mean a lot to these seniors, who came into the program with knowledge of the successes of the past, but have not yet seen that success themselves. Gerdts said, “If we can be the senior class to finally bring a championship back to Cathedral, I see it as the perfect reward for all of our hard work and dedication and the best possible ending to my high school career.”
The junior class is also very impressive, and will be key in the team’s run for a State Championship. Ryan Peterson has struggled through injuries, but is a highly touted recruit nationally. In his absence, Ryan’s brother, freshman Owen Peterson, has taken a big role, and is fourth on the team in kills. Junior Nick Whitley is another high-level recruit, and leads the team defensively with 21 total blocks and 109 digs. He has also tallied 465 assists as a setter.
The team has just over two weeks left in the regular season, and the players have one primary goal in mind: a State Championship. Rowe said, “It will take our commitment to giving our best effort and playing together as a team and keeping each other accountable.”
