Boys’ volleyball preview: Columbus primed to break through to elusive state title
Things were all set a year ago for it to be Columbus’ boys’ volleyball team’s turn.
And then things went sideways in an instant.
The Explorers were the favorites in a regional final match against perennial state championship contender Southwest and ready to make it to the state tournament.
Columbus’ top player, 6-foot, 5-inch outside hitter Lucas Riva, hurt his ankle in the match’s opening moments, quickly turning the tide and leading to an Eagles’ triumph in three sets.
Fast forward nine months, and nearly the entire Explorers’ roster is back, including Riva, a New York University signee.
And their senior-laden group is determined to make the best of their final chance together.
Columbus, which is already 2-0 this season with wins over playoff favorites True North and Cardinal Gibbons, is once again a favorite from Miami-Dade County to reach the state tournament, which will be held at Winter Haven in May.
The Explorers have never won a state championship in boys’ volleyball, but Riva leads a talented group coming off a junior season in which he totaled 333 kills and 149 digs.
Riva will be joined by 6-2 setter Charlie Friguls and 5-10 libero Matthew Fernandez, who each made first team All-Dade a year ago.
Senior outside hitter Daniel Rubi also returns to add to Columbus’ depth up front. The Explorers also added 6-2 senior right side hitter/setter Blake Marshall, who moved to Miami from Maryland. Columbus also made a key addition on its bench as former Southwest co-head coach Joshua Perez is now on staff with the Explorers.
The road to state won’t be easy as several teams statewide including Southwest remain among the top contenders.
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Southwest (25-6, 3A state runner-up) remains among the best teams in Dade even after graduating former three-time Miami Herald Player of the Year, Juanmarco Diaz. Seniors Kevin Munoz and Shia Decastro lead the Eagles.
Reagan (25-5, 2A state runner-up) is coming off a historic season for its program after advancing to the state final for the first time in any sport. The Bison appear primed to make another run this season with the return of 6-2 senior right side Michael Perez and 6-foot senior setter Diego Requena. Senior Santiago Mejias, a 5-10 libero, leads Reagan on the defensive side.
Coral Gables (13-10 last year) returns a strong group it hopes can lead it to the regional playoffs and perhaps more. Senior outside/middle Marco Molinet (6-3) is committed to Life University in Marietta, Georgia, and leads the Cavaliers. Senior 5-10 libero Will Hardie, senior 6-2 middle Mikael Marra and 6-1 senior setter Alex Edgehill are others to watch.
Cardinal Gibbons (17-10, 1A regional finalist) remains one of Broward County’s top state title contenders, led by 6-4 senior outside hitter Cash Remington, a King University commit. Junior transfer Miguel Rodriguez will lead the Chiefs’ attack and their offense will be run by Aquinas transfer Elijah Lam and Mau Pereira, both of whom are sophomore setters.
True North (18-12, 1A state semifinalist) is aiming to build off last season’s breakthrough to the 1A state final four. The Titans return most of their core from that team, which will be led by senior 6-3 right side Roberto Romero and 6-foot senior setter Aisar Hernandez. Sophomore 6-3 outside Kaden Rosario should bolster the lineup as well.
St. Thomas Aquinas (16-9, 2A regional finalist) is looking to build off their best finish in program history. The Raiders are led by 5-10 senior outside/setter John Virginio, 6-6 senior opposite Kamaal Medina and 5-6 sophomore libero Joseph Virginio.
Palmetto (13-13, 3A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by 6-3 junior outside/middle Carlos Ortiz, 6-4 junior middle Thibault Carbonell and 6-3 senior setter Julian Perez.
Monsignor Pace (9-7, 1A regional semifinalist) won a district title last season and will be led by 6-foot senior setter Angelo Soto Lugo, 5-6 junior libero Lucas Neptune and 5-10 senior outside hitter Alejandro Fernandez.
Homestead (11-12) will be led by senior 6-foot outside Pablo Ruiz and a strong core of juniors which includes 5-10 setter Karon Williams, 5-9 opposite Gilbert Reyes and 5-7 outside Cesar Ruiz.
