With three North Coast Section high school volleyball championships already under his belt, St. Patrick-St. Vincent High graduate Gabriel Domecus added a NCAA men’s volleyball national championship to his résumé last Saturday.

Domecus, a junior libero for the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team, helped the Buckeyes sweep top-seeded BYU, 32-30, 25-23, 25-17, in the NCAA finals held Saturday in University Park, Pa.

“I’ve gotten very little sleep but I’m doing alright,” Domecus said the night after earning Ohio State’s first men’s volleyball national championship since 2011. “It’s pretty crazy and it hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m definitely at a loss for words.”

The Buckeyes (31-3), ranked No. 2 in the country behind BYU for most of the season, won the MIVA championship in late April and cruised past George Mason, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State’s biggest postseason challenge came against UCLA in the national semifinals, which the Buckeyes won 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 18-16.

“That was one of the most exciting matches I’ve been in in a long time,” Domecus said.

Domecus was the starting libero for the Buckeyes throughout the NCAA Tournament. He had 19 digs and two aces against UCLA led Ohio State with five digs against BYU.

“We have great all-around talent at every position and a lot of offensive weapons,” Domecus said. “A lot of younger guys stepped up. It was a combination of a lot of little things that worked out for us.”

Domecus had his family in attendance for the NCAA Tournament. His mother, Danette, is the head boys and girls varsity volleyball coach at SPSV.

“It was nice that they were able to come out and watch three of the biggest matches of my college career,” Domecus said. “It’s way more special than anything I won in high school. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid and I never really thought I’d get there. It’s crazy to have actually done it.”

The Buckeyes lose only one senior starter and Domecus believes the team can make it two in a row next season. But for now, he’s simply basking in the glory of a national championship.

“Now I’ll just relax and enjoy the win,” Domecus said.

Sharing is caring!