By Whitley Sway
On May 26, the McNicholas Rockets Men’s Volleyball Team beat St. Charles Preparatory School to win the OHSAA Division II State Championship held at Wittenburg University. The team went a full five sets with St. Charles to secure the win.
McNicholas Rockets celebrate State Championship win on May 26, 2024, in the state after going into five close sets against St. Charles Preparatory School from Columbus. After losing the first set the team made a comeback and gained the title of state champions. (Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer)
“We had a really good coach who cared for not only the school, but the volleyball community as well,” Drew Schmidt, athletic director, stated.
Not only did head coach Julie Mulvey lead the team to the state final four last year, but also in 2017 and 2023. After 15 years as head coach, Mulvey stepped down after the state championship win in the spring.
“She was a great coach, but we have a bunch of helpers that will still be there,” outside hitter and setter senior Ethan Gundrum stated.
McNick is currently searching for a new coach who will inherit the majority of the state winning team since only one of the players was a senior.
“They definitely laid a foundation for the future,” Schmidt said of Mulvey and her assistant coaches.
With having a team of mostly seniors for this upcoming year they have been able to set a structure for the leadership of the underclassmen and the incoming teams, since the majority of the varsity team will have played together all four years.
“Most of us played in grade school so the bond and the team are very strong,” Gundrum stated.
“Year by year it’s a different journey and different approach every day,” Schmidt added.
Even with a new coach, the team plans to work to defend their championship in 2025. The Men’s Volleyball season begins in March.
Cover photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The McNicholas Milestone 