Summer has come to an end and everyone is gearing up for boys club season.
Well, not in New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
These states start high school season in the fall. After season is completed in November the athletes will go play club from December to July.
As long as five years ago it was rare to see an athlete from New York (there were some, of course, including USA star Matt Anderson from Buffalo), Virginia or Wisconsin land on a top-level NCAA team, but that is changing.
New York
New York runs high school volleyball like no other state. There is a group of schools that play in the fall and some programs play in the spring. The fall season should be competitive.
On the western side of the state Orchard Park, East Aurora, St. Joeseph’s, and Frontier are the contenders.
In the east the top teams are Shenendehowa, Bethlehem, and Columbia. In Division 2, Burnt Hills has been dominating for years and is favored.
Western New York top teams
1. Orchard Park
2. East Aurora
3. St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
4. Frontier High School
5. Clarence High School
6. West Seneca West High School
7. Canisius High School
8. Grand Island High School
9. Eden High School
10. Hamburg High School
2022 WNY final standings
1. East Aurora
2. Orchard Park
3. Lancaster
4. Grand Island
5. Canisius
6. St. Joseph’s
7. Frontier
8. West Seneca East
9. Eden
10. Williamsville East
Top players in Western New York
1. Evan Hernadez, S/OPP, Orchard Park
2. Mikey Bleech, OH, Frontier
3. Drew Bowman, S, Orchard Park
4. Brady Bowman, OH, Orchard Park
5. Ben Walczak, OPP, Clarence
6. Matt Anzalone, OH, St. Joseph’s
7. Jonas Drum, MB, Hamburg
8. Ethan Skalski, OH, West Seneca East
9. Nate Roorbach, S, East Aurora
10. Joe Veal, MB, Sweet Home
11. Josh Rauch, L/OH, Orchard Park
Western New York analysis
Orchard Park is the three-time defending ECIC and Class A Sectional champs. After losing Matt Zion (all WNY/All State player), the Quakers will turn to a large group of experienced seniors to keep their championship streak alive.
Keep a close eye on East Aurora. Coming off a Section VI Class B championship, they will look to continue their hold on the top WNY ranking.
Frontier is coached by Nick Penberthy and his Falcons will be led by senior outside hitter Mikey Bleech, who is surrounded by a core of young talented players.
Clarence is expected to contend with Frontier and Orchard Park for both the ECIC Division title; as well as the Class A sectional title. They…
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