Saturday, May 26, 2001
St. X goes after state volleyball title
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Plagued by adversity at the start of the season, the St. Xavier boys volleyball team found a way to reach the state semifinals. The Bombers battle Dublin Coffman at 3 p.m. today at St. John Arena in Columbus. Munroe Falls Stow meets Centerville in the first semifinal at 1 p.m. The winners meet for the state championship at 7 p.m.
As for the adversity, consider the following.
The Bombers' top returning player, Aaron Meirose, injured a finger on his left hand during preseason practice and was out of the lineup for a while.
“It was an ugly injury,” said coach Donna Mechley, who coached Mount Notre Dame to three consecutive Division I state championships.
“The bone came out of the end of the finger and a metal pin had to be inserted which also stuck out. The doctors told Aaron he would be out four-to-six weeks with rehabilitation to follow.”
If this wasn't enough, an alumni team won five consecutive games during an officiated workout. Many of the players resented the tougher practices, splitting the team into two factions.
Basically we had two dif ferent groups,” Mechley said. “Our setter, Kevin Bruner, brought them together and turned out to be the leader. He's very vocal and isn't afraid to get on people.”
Bruner insteadpointed to first-year assistant coach Joe Pomeroy, a member of Lebanon's 1996 state championship team, as one of the driving forces for success.
“There was a lot more emphasis on defense and not letting the ball drop to the floor,” Bruner said. “It brought our defense to a new level.”
About half of the players resented the new work ethic, causing the split.
“I've always been one who worked hard during practice,” Bruner said. “I told the guys that this is our chance, and it's only three months of hard work. Everyone bought in and we're now a team.”
When Meirose returned to the lineup four weeks after the injury, the Bombers were 10-1, losing only to Worthington Kilbourne. St. X (25-2) later lost to Centerville.
With Meirose on the bench, Paul Tuogood filled the void, while Vladan Jovanovic (Yugoslavia), also helped.
“Vladan was a member of the Yugoslovia Red Star Junior National team,” Mechley said. “He has been the driving force in the tournament and has played some incredible volleyball.”
Mechley also got solid play from Bruce Endress, Keith Haun, the Southwest Ohio District Player of the Year, and Brad Minella.
“I rate our chances pretty good if we keep doing what we've been doing and keep our composure,” Mechley said.
In the regional semifinal against Moeller, the Bombers lost the first game but came back to win the next two over the preseason favorite Crusaders.
They followed with an impressive showing in the regional championship, eliminating Elder, the two-time defending state champions.
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St. X goes after state volleyball title
