Caden Whiteside of Division I state runner-up Olentangy Liberty leads the 2023 Dispatch All-Metro boys volleyball team.
Whiteside was announced as Boys Volleyball Athlete of the Year at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards last Thursday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The show, presented by Encova Insurance and produced with the support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, honored athletes from 30 sports. In addition, $63,000 in scholarships were awarded.
Evan Althouse, DeSales
The 6-foot-6 senior outside hitter was first-team all-region and all-CCL and second-team all-state in Division II as the Stallions won their first state title, defeating Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 21-25, 27-25, 25-17, 25-22. Althouse led DeSales in kills with 253 and added 87 blocks, 39 aces and 34 blocks.
Noah Franz, St. Charles
A 6-0 senior middle blocker, Franz finished with 150 kills, 43 blocks, 40 digs and 30 aces. He shared CCL Player of the Year honors with DeSales’ Camren White and was first-team all-region and second-team all-state in Division II. The Cardinals lost to DeSales 25-20, 25-20, 25-20 in the Region 5 final.
Parker Gantt, Mount Vernon
A 6-2 junior outside hitter, Gantt recorded 347 kills, 159 digs, 34 blocks and 20 aces. He was first-team all-region and second-team all-state in Division I. Mount Vernon lost to Liberty 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-15 in the Division I, Region 1 final.
Stuart Hankinson, St. Charles
The 6-2 junior outside hitter recorded 192 kills, 164 digs, 73 assists, 29 aces and 32 blocks and was first-team all-state, all-region and all-CCL. The Cardinals shared the CCL title with DeSales at 5-1 and went 16-9.
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Will Haslett, Worthington Kilbourne
A 6-2 senior outside hitter and defensive specialist, Haslett finished with 297 kills, 175 blocks, 42 aces and 28 blocks. He was first-team all-region and all-OCC-Cardinal and honorable mention all-state in Division I.
Mason Heit, Hilliard Darby
The 5-10 junior setter recorded 811 assists, 120 digs, 38 kills, 36 blocks and 34 aces. He was Player of the Year in the OCC-Cardinal along with first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state in Division I.
Cameron Hoying, DeSales
The 6-8 senior setter played a key role in DeSales going 20-4 and winning the Division II state title. He was Player of the Year in the state and Region 5 along with second-team all-CCL. The Lewis University commit led the Stallions in assists with 417 and added 100 digs, 42 blocks, 27 kills and 25 aces.
Aidan Kolb, Hilliard Darby
A 5-10 junior libero, Kolb finished with 295 digs, 48 assists and 35 aces. He was first-team all-state and all-region in Division I and first-team all-OCC-Cardinal. Darby lost to Dublin Jerome 25-15, 32-30, 25-16 in the Region 3 final to finish 20-6.
Andrew Rakocy, New Albany
The 6-4 junior outside hitter was named first-team all-state in Division I, first-team all-region and Player of the Year in the OCC-Ohio. He finished with 348 kills, 142 digs, 71 aces, 32 blocks and 14 assists.
George Smith, Watterson
A 5-11 sophomore outside hitter, Smith recorded 222 kills, 151 digs and 51 aces. He was first-team all-state and all-region in Division II and first-team all-CCL.
Parker Van Horne, Olentangy Berlin
A 5-10 junior setter, Van Horne finished with 805 assists, 118 digs, 37 aces and 20 blocks. He was first-team all-region and all-OCC-Cardinal and second-team all-state in Division I.
Caden Whiteside, Olentangy Liberty
The 6-5 junior outside hitter led Liberty in kills with 409 and aces with 54 and added 143 digs and 30 blocks. He was first-team all-state and Player of the Year in Region 1 and the OCC-Central, leading the Patriots to a 24-5 record, their third consecutive trip to the Division I state tournament and a runner-up finish.
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