As we move from a highly successful winter sports season for Geauga County athletes, which included two state championships and a final four run, boys volleyball players were the first to officially begin their 2025 Spring season.
Match photos click here.
As we move from a highly successful winter sports season for Geauga County athletes, which included two state championships and a final four run, boys volleyball players were the first to officially begin their 2025 Spring season.
Boys Volleyball, a relative newcomer to the Ohio high school sports scene, only became an officially sanctioned OHSAA varsity sport in 2023.
Since that time, both the Chardon Hilltoppers and Berkshire Badgers have had success as they have been two of the top Div. II Boys Volleyball teams in Northeast Ohio.
In fact, over the past two years, the Hilltoppers have gone 30-13, and played in two OHSAA Regional Title games.
Similarly, during that same time period, the Badgers went 26-21 and played in the 2023 OHSAA Regional Semifinals.
To get the 2025 season underway on March 14, the Badgers took on the Kenston Bombers Boys Volleyball Team at Kenston High School.
In this opening day match, the Badgers defeated the Bombers in three straight sets, 25-21, 25-6, and 25-16.
Badgers senior setter Ryan Kessinger said that the team played well as they are getting acclimated back into the competitive game environment.
“Kenston was a really good (match) for us,” said Kessinger. “We were working on our stuff, working on our craft (against the Bombers). We got a lot of people coming back, didn’t lose anyone, so we are just trying to carry it forward from last season to this one.”
As the Badgers focused on teamwork and perfecting the technical and strategic elements of their game, Berkshire Head Coach Tim Percic was pleased with what he observed.
“Our guys, when they gel, are a lot more formidable than they were in years past,” Coach Percic said.
After defeating the Bombers, the Badgers held their own in an extremely close 3-2 defeat to the Mayfield Wildcats in their home opener at Berkshire High School on March 20.
Although it was tough to lose a five game match to a strong Wildcats team, senior Jake Starr said that the key is to rebound effectively from adversity.
“At the end of the day, you just have to forget because there is nothing you can do about the past,” Starr said.
Starr emphasized an important mantra that he focuses on throughout each game.
“Next play, rip it,” said Starr.
With a positive mentality and a talented, experienced team returning, Coach Percic has reason to be excited about Badgers Boys Volleyball.
“I am excited about what the future has (in store for Badgers Boys Volleyball),” Percic said.
Coach Percic noted that helping to lead the Badgers this season will be senior setter Ryan Kessinger, and middle hitters, sophomore Maddox Fuentes and senior Tony Masters.
“Without a doubt, our setter Ryan Kessinger is an all star,” said Percic. “(Against the Wildcats), he laid out for a couple of digs, which are not setting things, and then also made some amazing sets throughout.”
The coach continued: “And I am really looking forward to watching him gel with our middles, Tony Masters and Maddox Fuentes and to see how much more dominant those guys can be in the middle which would be a really cool thing to watch.”
On the outside, Percic said the Badgers will look to seniors Jake Starr and Mario Romagni to play a big role.
“(Against Mayfield), they were getting it done throughout the match hitting some really nice shots for us,” said Percic.
In addition to their exceptional setter, and middle and outside hitters, the Badgers also return senior libero Trent Hornak who was All-Ohio Honorable Mention last season.
“Hornak is a terrific player, great server, and an all-around great teammate,” said Coach Percic.
The Chardon Hilltoppers Boys Volleyball team who will open their season when they host the Badgers on April 1, will also look to continue their recent success.
The Hilltoppers will be led by first year head coach Vance Kalingo who previously served as a volunteer assistant coach.
Leading the Hilltoppers on the court this year will be junior captain Ian Galati who was All-Ohio Honorable Mention in 2024.
Galati, an outside hitter, had a great 2024 season amassing 222 kills.
