With a district championship on the line, junior Cohen Boehm showcased why he’s the heartbeat of the Lindbergh boys volleyball team, powering the Flyers to a 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 win over Lutheran South in the Class 1 District 2 title match on May 14.
“One of our biggest leaders this year has been Cohen Boehm, a junior and team captain who stepped up and is attacking for the first time while also running our offense as a setter in the back row,” Lindbergh boys volleyball head coach Atom Zuniga said. “He can play defense, he can serve, he can set, he can swing, he can block. So, he does everything for us. He’s a huge part of our team, and that’s one of the reasons why he’s a captain.”
Lindbergh (28-2 overall) was also led by John Dobbs, who blasted 21 kills. Gabe Scheve put down 17 more, Dzejlan Sofic added nine spikes and Alex Ahrens had 26 assists.
“Gabe Scheve is a sophomore who is playing outside for the first time, and has made major growth as an attacker, while still remaining a top passer and defender in the area,” Zuniga said. “Tyler White, our libero, has made significant improvements in his effectiveness and confidence that have made him a mainstay in our back row. Dzejlan Sofic and Mason Vander Meer, our two senior middles, provide the maturity, composure and leadership to help balance out all these young guys and their fiery competitiveness.”
The Flyers’ victory marks the program’s second district championship in as many years — a testament to their growth and cohesion despite a relatively young roster.
“We definitely need to make some adjustments in terms of setting location and attacking consistency,” Zuniga said. “But one of the reasons we’ve had the success we’ve had is our cohesiveness. This group works really well together, on and off the court.”
Next up, Lindbergh travels to St. Pius X on May 20 for sectional play. St. Pius is coming off a major upset over top-seeded Saxony Lutheran in the District 1 final.
Zuniga complimented his squad on making the adjustments necessary to win matches throughout the season, something that comes with experience.
“Our biggest obstacle has been overcoming the natural struggles that come with a relatively young team,” he said. “Those guys are mature beyond their years, but we occasionally can become our own worst enemy. Fortunately, I’ve been proud of their resilience and ability to make adjustments in those moments, which they almost always have.”
