Newspaper Clipping April 11

In Westerville News and Public Opinion this week:

'Thin' North volleyball team picks it up a notch
By CHRIS GALOSKI


Westerville North sophomore Sam Kennedy is one of three captains out to lead the Warriors this season.

If taking in a Westerville North boys volleyball game isn't evidence enough last season is a mere drop in the bucket, the team's polished-up record sure is.

The Warriors were 3-2 before Tuesday's tussle at Dublin Scioto, firmly in position to discard any paper trails of last year's 7-15 docket.

"Both of our loses came against Pickerington North, which people seem to think is the best team in our division," said second-year coach Matt Grimm, his club in the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division. "I'm optimistic about this year, but we are kind of thin.

"We only have nine guys on our team, so I'm definitely hoping to keep everybody healthy. We've definitely made a lot of improvement over last year."

Three senior starters played club ball in the offseason, setting an example for their teammates: Geoff Peterfy (outside hitter/middle blocker), Andrew Woodward (setter) and Andrew Lee (OH/MB).

"Since they're leaders on the team, that's helped make them realize how hard we have to work to be good and it's rubbing off on the rest of the team," Grimm said.

A revamped, renewed North crew has already taken down Worthington Kilbourne, Dublin Coffman and Thomas Worthington this season and lost a classic, five-game prizefight to Pickerington North when the two last played March 27.

"We're hoping to flipflop our record from 7-15 to 15-7, that's kind of our goal," Grimm said. "I definitely think we're a lot more competitive with the people we have and the experience we have coming back."

Among the veterans back are senior Scott Nufer (middle/OH) and sophomore Sam Kennedy (opposite hitter). Nufer, Peterfy and Kennedy, despite the distinction in grade levels, are captains.

"I think it's good because Nufer and Peterfy, they always give their all in practice," Grimm said. "I think people look up to them. Depending on how hard those two are playing, that's kind of how everybody steps up their own game to their level.

"Having a sophomore is good, too. Our team is so extreme, from seniors to freshmen, it's good to establish another leader. Sam is one of those kids who never complains, he just wants to get better."

Freshmen Ben Taylor (outside/libero), Niraj Shah (libero) and Wesley Peterson (middle) should also see court time.

This season North finds itself grouped in the OCC Cardinal with Hilliard Davidson, Kilbourne, Pickerington North and Scioto. The prevailing opinion is that the league is not only the toughest in the area, but all five teams could legitimately knock each other off.

"It's really hard to say which is the top team," Grimm said. "Everybody has a lot of people returning and a lot of experience. I feel like our core, our starters are really strong.

"I think obviously, we're not a deep team, so keeping them healthy will definitely tell us how far we're going to go this year. I think we have the tools to stay with anybody."

The Warriors play at Kilbourne Thursday and in Kilbourne's Wolf Tournament Friday and Saturday, before hosting Delaware Hayes Monday and Davidson Tuesday.