Mikesch grows into leadership role for Beavers

Volleyball has been a part of Parker Mikesch’s life for as long as he can remember. When your mom is a college volleyball coach – she was coaching at Michigan Tech at the time – you spend quite a few hours in the gym.

“Sports have always been a big part of our family,” Mikesch said. “I would go to the gym all the time and watch or just play around.”

When his stepdad, Tim Horsmon, returned to the University of Dayton to coach the Flyers’ women’s volleyball team, Mikesch decided to give volleyball a try himself, landing a starting position as a libero on the Beavercreek High School boys team as a freshman in 2014.

“That was the first real volleyball I played,” he said.

Few would have believed Mikesch’s rookie status based on his ability.

“He just eats and breathes volleyball,” Beavercreek coach Carol Bysak said. “He is incredibly talented.”

That talent landed the junior an offer last year from Ohio State University, where he is now committed.

“I’m pretty excited,” Mikesch, said. “Last year, a lot of the scouting was during club season and it was a little stressful.”

While it was Mikesch’s prowess as a libero that got him noticed, he is taking on a new role this season. Bysak moved him into the outside hitter position.

“Parker’s best feature is how well he can read the ball,” Bysak said. “We’re fortunate to have a strong enough lineup that, now, we can also utilize Parker’s hitting.”

While Mikesch thrived as the defensive team leader, when it comes to volleyball, his priority is the team.

“I know I need to produce and as long as I’m doing my part, the wins and losses are all that matter,” he said.

The Beavers (8-3) are ranked seventh in the state among Division I teams. Mikesch is doing his part to ensure that he and the Beavers make a third consecutive trip to the state tournament. Beavercreek has competed at state in four of the past six seasons, finishing as state runners-up in 2015.

“It used to be, ‘let’s make it to state,’ ” Bysak said. “Now, it’s more like ‘let’s get a state championship.’ ”

Mikesch has some extra motivation to win it all. Hilliard Darby bounced the Beavers the past two seasons and he plays with several of the Darby players on the Vanguard club team. “It would be really nice to beat them,” he said.

Bysak is confident that the Beavers have what it takes to return to state.

“If you look at the state rankings, everyone we have lost to is above us in the rankings and all of them were close matches,” she said. “This team is still evolving and every day, these kids are making strides.”

The next test comes at 7 p.m. Wednesday against visiting Northmont. The Beavers and Thunderbolts are currently tied for No. 1 in the region among D-I teams.


NEXT MATCH

Northmont at Beavercreek

7 p.m. Wednesday

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