And then there is the long-standing Centerville volleyball tradition. The Elks have won three state championships since 1994, most recently in 2002, and were state runner-up four times.
“People see our name on our jersey and they know what it represents,” Burge said.
While there has been a more than decade-long championship drought, the hunger remains, especially for the seven Elks seniors, including captains Troy Brewer, Corey Dunham, Ben Chico and Josh Kimbrell.
“There is definitely a sense of urgency,” Dunham said.
The captains lead by example as Brewer has tallied more than 800 assists this season and Chico – an honorable mention all-state outside hitter – and junior Adam Skerl have combined for almost 600 kills.
Centerville, now 12-12, will face a familiar foe in the Division I state quarterfinals at Capital University Saturday in St. Xavier. While the 21-4 Bombers won their regular season meeting in four sets, all of the sets were decided by four points or less.
“We match up well against them,” Burge said. “I’m expecting a good match – a competitive match.”
A "four-midable" task: The Alter Knights are in the hunt for a fourth consecutive D-II state title and sixth since 2011. Complacency, however, is not a problem.
“We don’t assume anything and we know how much teams want to beat us,” Alter coach Craig Erford said. “Nothing comes easy, you have to earn it.”
The 19-7 Knights, in fact, aren’t the favorites, despite their championship reputation, as Hoban is the top-ranked D-II team.
“Some might pick us based on our recent success, but Hoban is senior heavy and a very strong team,” Erford said.
Alter is ranked second in the state and the Knights’ semifinal opponent McNicholas, 19-6, is No. 4. Alter and McNicholas will play Saturday at 5 p.m. – the Knights have come out on top twice this season against the Rockets.
Fine-tuning: Beavercreek, 20-6, used its straight-set regional final match as a tune-up for state as the Beavers are making their third consecutive appearance.
“We were trying a few things and tweaking a few things,” Beavercreek coach Carol Bysak said.
Beavercreek, ranked No. 7 in the state, will face third-ranked Elder, 22-4, in the D-I quarterfinals Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Beavers fell to the Panthers early this season in a close match – 25-22, 25-22, 25-22.
“I’ve watched Elder and I think we’ve grown more, as a team,” Bysak said.
Beavercreek’s best state finish was second in 2015. Hilliard Darby – the top-ranked D-I team this season – won the 2015 title.
Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association State Tournament
Where: Capital University, Columbus
When: Saturday-Sunday
Saturday: Division I (quarterfinals) – 10 a.m. St. Ignatius vs. Westerville South; 11:45 a.m. St. Xavier vs. Centerville; 1:30 p.m. Beavercreek vs. Elder; 3:15 p.m. Hilliard Darby vs. St. Edward. Division II (semifinals) – 5 p.m. McNicholas vs. Alter; 6:45 p.m. Hoban vs. Dublin Scioto
Sunday: Division I (semifinals) – 10 a.m. and noon; Division II (final) – 2 p.m.; Division I (final) – 4 p.m.
Admission: $10 per day, children 5 and under are free
About the Author