LebCo Boys Volleyball Season Outlook: 2024

With season underway, we take a quick look at how each of the LebCo Boys Volleyball teams are looking in 2024. Be sure to check LebCoSports.com throughout this season for updates as we work to keep tabs on all of the action.

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     Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Head Coach: Monica Sheaffer – 5th season

Key Returners: Kody Kerkeslager (Sr.); Aaron Walters (Sr.); Tate Tadajweski (Jr.); Jack Woglemuth (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Jacob Alnoor (Jr.); and Tyler Hackleman (Jr.); Aidan Vukovich (Jr.)

Key Losses: Nick Bensing, Danny Peelen

2023 Record: 17-6, District 3 – 3rd place, State Qualifier

Outlook: Last season, the Falcons hit new heights, finishing 3rd in the District 3 Playoffs and then losing in the 1st Round of the PIAA State Championship Tournament to Parkland, the eventual champions. While the level of success Cedar Crest found was exciting, it was also unexpected. While they were a talented group, it was also the result of a culture of hard work paying off. This year, Cedar Crest returns several of the key members, including last year’s LL Section 1 All-Stars First Team All-Stars Aaron Walters and Tate Tadajweski, leading a unit that will look to push the limits even further. Coach Sheaffer has added some newcomers to her roster that will have an immediate impact. Overall, look for this group to use their experience in 2023 to surpass expectations again.

So far this season, Cedar Crest looks hungry and extremely focused. They are off to a 3-0 start, including a straight-set victory over Warwick, the 2023 Section 1 Champion.

     Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2

Head Coach: Kyle Zehner – 2nd season

Key Returners: Yadiel Gonzalez (Jr.); Gabe Sandoval (Jr.); Elias Feliciano (So.); Brian Marshall (So.)

Key Newcomers: Tyson Griffith (Jr.); Julian Padilas (Fr.); Jaison Morales (Fr.); Jordan Perugorria (Fr.)

Key Losses: Kalib Porter

2023 Record: 0-15

Outlook: Coach Zehner’s 2023 team featured many underclassmen learning the game. With a year of hard work dedicated to building a foundation, look for the Cedars to be more competitive in 2024. It is a work in progress, especially within the competitive LL Section 2, but Lebanon will challenge every opponent they face. Expect the Cedars to become stronger with each game.

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Head Coach: Cody Kantner – 2nd season

Key Returners: Sam Balsbaugh (Sr.); Mike Shuey (So.)

Key Newcomers: Tycen Van Der Ploog (Sr.); Eli Hess (Jr.); Nate Barnhart (Fr.); Zach Worley (Fr.)

2023 Record: 7-6

Outlook: In 2023, the Flames kicked off its inaugural season by going 7-6 in the regular season before making it into the CCAC League Championship. The group came together at the midway point and started to play very well, showing a high IQ in the game. They return in 2024 with a strong foundation upon which to improve. Coach Cody Kantner feels his unit is an athletic group that is fast, scrappy, and can hit. Above all else, this group is hardworking. They will be led by senior Sam Balsbaugh, the team’s leader in kills, who has put in the work to improve from last season. The group also features newcomers Tycen Van Der Ploog, a senior hitter who can control the middle, and freshmen Nate Barnhart and Zach Worley. Look for the Flames to challenge for a spot in Districts this season.

  Northern Lebanon Vikings

Independent

Head Coach: Ben Baird – 3rd season

Key Returners: Riley Clinger (Sr.); Garrett Bohn (Jr.); Sam Kolacek (Jr.); Ethan Martino (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Carter Kubica (Jr.); Aiden Platt (Jr.); Nathan Swank (So.); Peyton Ream (Fr.).

Key Losses: Trevor Peirce, Clayton Smoker, Cody Swietionoski

2023 Record: 11-5

Outlook: Northern Lebanon enters its third year as a varsity sport. In its second year, the Vikings finished just one spot out of making Districts. While they lost several key players from last year’s team, they’ll return in 2024 with a foundation of four returning varsity players and several newcomers who have put in the off-season work. Coach Baird is excited for the opportunity to coach such an enjoyable group again. He feels that their attitude will help them in getting better. So far, the hard work seems to be paying off, as the Vikings currently have a 3-1 record to start off the year.

   Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Head Coach: John McInerney – 2nd season

Key Returners: Colby Arvesen (Sr.); Bryan Hoffman (Sr.); Cade Palmer (Jr.); Andrew Martin (Jr.); Tanner Grimes (So.); Mateo Vazquez (So.)

Key Newcomers: David Martin (Jr.); Johnny Moran (Jr.)

Key Losses: Ayden McInerney; Yash Patel

2023 Record: 4-10

Outlook: The Cougars won four matches in 2023, a mark that has left them hungry to improve. Beyond the growing pains of a young team, the Cougars lost their outside hitter to injury early last season. Despite losing Ayden McInerney, a Keystone First Team All-Star, to graduation, second-yard Head Coach John McInerney is excited about what this group could be able to do in 2024, having had a year of development. Look for Palmyra to drastically improve upon its last year’s win-loss total.