Each Licking Heights class adds piece to foundation of ascending boys volleyball program
PATASKALA — Maleke Aaron picked up a volleyball as a freshman at the urging of a friend, and he has not put it down.
Aaron was one of three seniors honored Wednesday before the Licking Heights boys sweep of visiting Whetstone, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19. It was the Hornets’ second victory in as many nights and moved their record to .500 after a slow start to a season that began in rebuilding mode.
"As a freshman, my friend dragged me here to play with him during tryouts, and then he left," Aaron said. "I stayed."
Aaron, who was honored with classmates Da’Vhantis Simon and Gustavo De La Torre Betancourt, has taken the challenge of being one of Heights’ main threats at the net.
When the Hornets (9-9) complete their upcoming Division I postseason run, Aaron will become the program’s 15th player to head to compete at the college level. He is signing a letter of intent with Tiffin University later this month.
"I am definitely not going to take it for granted," Aaron said. "I am going to play as much as I possibly can, help the Tiffin team as much as I possibly can and further my career after that."
It is a proud legacy for coach Tina Cox. Heights has now hit the 15-year mark for its program, but the Hornets have really taken off during the last decade under Cox, who moved over from the girls program and made the burgeoning boys program her own.
"We are super excited for Maleke," Cox said. "Of those 15 (college-bound players), nine of those would probably have not gone to college if it wasn't for the support of the boys volleyball team. It's fun to watch the program and watch the boys grow up. There were about five (former players) here tonight that came back to support, came back to watch. It's a nice little tight-knit family, and I love it."
Heights won its second game in consecutive nights, building on a sweep of Bishop Watterson. The Hornets have begun to hit their stride after being decimated by the graduation of seven seniors, who led them to 39 wins during the past two seasons.
Junior Cleveland Brown Jr. totaled a team-high 12 kills against Whetstone (7-9). Brown previously had been a defensive demon at libero with Heights being loaded up front, but this season he has shown his all-around abilities.
"It's not new to me because first year of club I played outside, so it's nothing I can't handle," Brown said. "I was excited for it. I told (Cox) I am ready for it. Give it to me."
Aaron was next with seven kills.
Heights displayed a balanced attack thanks to the work of junior Jaden Peach, who totaled 25 assists. Junior Prabin Bista added five kills, and Simon and Betancourt had three apiece. Brown and Peach also served three aces each.
"Shoutout to (Peach). He is the one that sets everyone up for success," Aaron said. "He has been helping me out a lot this year and is a reason for my success."
Heights rebounded from a four-game early-season losing streak. The Hornets recently beat Westerville North to gain a measure of revenge for last year’s tournament loss.
The Hornets earned the No. 11 seed in Region 1 and begin this season’s postseason at 6 p.m. May 8 with a trip down Summit Street to No. 9 Reynoldsburg. The winner likely will visit top-seeded Olentangy Liberty two nights later.
"We have a stronger group as far as teams that want to play us, which is fantastic. It's very humbling," Cox said. "The boys need to realize we hung point for point with a lot of tough teams. We have three boys that play club, but a lot of them it's their first year so that's amazing."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Heights Hornets boys volleyball continues program growth
