An expert trainer says 'this is the best thing you can do with kettlebells'
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If my work can persuade one person to train with kettlebells, I’ll consider that a job well done as a fitness writer. While I firmly believe there is no one piece of equipment that’s necessary to further your fitness, a kettlebell can help you move the dial forward in more areas than most.
Strength? Definitely. Muscle? Absolutely. You can also make significant improvements to your mobility, stability, coordination, cardiorespiratory fitness and more with the help of the humble kettlebell. And once you’re ready to expand your training horizons, you can simply add a second one into the equation.
In fact, pressing two of them overhead is the “best thing you can do with kettlebells”, according to leading strength coach and kettlebell expert Dan John. And that’s not the only benefit to dual-wielding.
“One of the big advantages of using doubles is that, while doubles are heavier, they’re actually easier for most people,” he tells me. “Outside of the two-handed swing and the goblet squat, generally two-handed work is easier because you don’t have those asymmetries to fight through.”
Below, John explains where to start when training with two kettlebells. He also discusses the many benefits this can bring, and his favourite double kettlebell workout to try.
The best double kettlebell workout: The Armour Building Complex
Using two equally weighted kettlebells, complete the sequence below without putting the weights down:
Double kettlebell clean x2
Double kettlebell press x1
Double kettlebell front squat x3
This is the best, and arguably most versatile, double kettlebell workout in John’s armoury. You can use heavy kettlebells to target strength gains, pick up moderate kettlebells and complete the complex each minute for 10 minutes for more of a muscle-building hit, or set a 20-minute timer and complete as many rounds as you can with lighter weights to set your heart, lungs and muscles alight.
John created the workout for athletes, beta testing earlier versions on American football players in an attempt to replicate the rigours of game-day. The aim was to provide a test that developed solidity and strength throughout the entire body, and in the Armour Building Complex he found just that.
“You can call the area from your neck to your knees whatever you want,” John says. “Lots of people call it the core, but saying ‘the core’ is like saying ‘doing cardio’ – it’s an overused term.
“The three words I use for this area are armour, anaconda and arrow. Spine expert Dr Stuart McGill uses the word stone, so I sometimes like to think about these as ‘the three As of building the stone’.”
Armour involves packing on muscle, anaconda describes the development internal pressure for stability, and arrow refers to the ability to move powerfully. The first of these is what gives this workout its name, but the session will help you develop all three.
Kettlebell training can improve every facet of fitness, from strength to flexibility (Getty Images)
Benefits of training with double kettlebells
The first difference of double kettlebell training is that, unless you drop the weight of your kettlebells significantly, you’ll likely be lifting a heavier load. But this aside, John says the practice is easier than training with a single kettlebell because your movements are symmetrical.
“Some people say that singles are better, but the issue with asymmetrical work for a lot of people is that most of them, and certainly Americans, come in [to kettlebell training] pretty beat-up at a certain age.
“We have a lot of collision sports here, and we do a lot of throwing sports, so most of the people I work with walk into the gym with asymmetrical issues. Lower back problems, a dominant shoulder – it’s almost a given.”
For this reason, John says double kettlebell training is easier, and even safer, than chucking a single weight around for most people.
Strength coach Dan John says double kettlebell training is actually easier for most people than single kettlebell training as a result of the symmetry (Getty/iStock)
How to start double kettlebell training
While John says double kettlebell training tends to be easier and safer than a session with a single weight, there are still some fundamentals to wrap your head and hands around. Below, he explains how to get started, and dives into the three fundamental exercises you should learn first.
Starting position
Place the kettlebells a couple of feet in front of you and arrange them so the handles are angled inwards to form a V-shape.
“When the bells are on the ground, the V is to me,” John says. “By doing this, you allow your shoulders to move into a much more protected state.”
From here, you can hinge at the hips then, keeping your “eyes on the horizon”, pull the kettlebells back between your thighs to initiate a swing. The kettlebell swing marks the starting point of many other double kettlebell exercises such as the clean and snatch, so it’s worth perfecting this first.
Start with two kettlebells on the ground two feet in front of you, handles angled slightly towards you to form a V.
Assume a stance slightly wider than shoulder width.
With soft knees, hinge at the hips to bend over and grab a kettlebell in each hand with an overhand grip.
Keeping your spine long, arms straight and eyes forward, pull the kettlebells back between your thighs.
From here, squeeze your glutes to explosively drive your hips forward. As you do this, stand up straight and allow the momentum from your hip drive to arc the kettlebells up to the front rack position – elbows at your sides pointing down, thumbs against your chest, ‘bells between the fronts of your shoulders and forearms.
Allow the kettlebells to fall away from your body, curving back between your thighs, then repeat.
The double kettlebell clean involves taking the kettlebell from a swing to a front rack position, where it’s nestled between the front of the shoulder and the forearm.
“Mastering the double kettlebell clean should be your first order of business,” John says. “The biggest issue is that most people drop the ‘bells straight down [from the front rack position], get into a minor traffic accident with every rep, then hike them back up.
“You don’t drop the weights, you swing into each and every rep. It should be a hinge, then a clean.”
John also says it’s important to create a good front rack position to catch the kettlebells at the shoulder.
“I like the thumbs to be on the chest and the elbows to be touching your sides as appropriate – obviously you will have some people who are naturally winging out.”
Keeping the elbows low, he says, will encourage you to transition into a swing for the next rep, rather than dropping the weight straight down.
Clean two kettlebells into the front rack position.
Drive your fists to the sky until your arms are fully extended overhead, biceps by your ears. Your wrist will rotate inwards slightly as you do this, ending with your palm facing forward, and the kettlebells should follow a shallow J-shape when viewed head on.
Control the weights back down to the front rack position then repeat.
“Once you’ve learned the kettlebell clean, you set the stage for what I think is the best thing kettlebells do: the double kettlebell press family,” John says. “There’s the double kettlebell press and its cousin the seesaw press [where you press each kettlebell overhead alternately, lowering one as you drive the other upwards].
I think these are the two best things you can do with kettlebells. It’s a whole body exercise, and it’s exhausting.”
With the press, when you have both kettlebells in the front rack position, John recommends taking a moment and “squeezing everything down to engage that anaconda strength”.
Clean two kettlebells into the front rack position.
Create tension throughout your body then, keeping your chest up, push your hips back slightly to initiate the squat.
From here, bend your knees and lower your hips as far as you can while keeping your chest up.
Drive through your feet to return to the starting position.
“When I’m working with athletes, I used to spend a lot more time with the barbell front squat, but now I spend more time with this exercise because the double kettlebell front squat feels more like sports,” John says. “There’s no rest on any rep in a double kettlebell front squat.”
In other words, even when you’re standing tall, your whole body has to hold enough tension to resist the pull of the kettlebells and keep you upright. Then, as you descend, you face the challenge of maintaining this tension while using your legs to lower the weight before driving it back upwards.
With a series of simple movements you can hit every area of your body and with a very affordable piece of kit too. Double kettlebell training offers a raft of benefits and with this guide, it’s easy to start nailing the movements, wherever you choose to train.
The multi-year renewal will cover both the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball World Championships. (Credit: FIVB) The Volleyball World commercial vehicle has today announced a partnership extension with Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno until 2026. The multi-year renewal will cover both the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball World Championships. As part of the […]
The multi-year renewal will cover both the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball World Championships. (Credit: FIVB)
The Volleyball World commercial vehicle has today announced a partnership extension with Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno until 2026.
The multi-year renewal will cover both the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball World Championships.
As part of the agreement, Mizuno will continue to supply official uniforms for FIVB and Volleyball World event personnel, officials, and referees.
The new tie-up continues a partnership first agreed in 2022.
Oliver Clarke, Volleyball World head of sponsorship, said: “Mizuno has a genuine passion for our sport and we are thrilled to extend our partnership with them.
“Through our collaborative efforts, we have already seen meaningful engagement across digital platforms and live events, and we are confident the next phase of our partnership will unlock even greater opportunities.”
Takeshi Shichijyo, director and senior managing executive officer of Mizuno, added: “Through the partnership with Volleyball World in the last two years, we successfully established new connections with sports fans worldwide using online and offline communication.
“Continuing this partnership for an additional two years, we are confident that Mizuno’s brand presence in the volleyball world will be further enhanced.”
In terms of recent activity, Volleyball World partnered with cloud technology provider Dizplai last month, and agreed a decade-long deal in early March with international sports data technology provider Stats Perform.
Meanwhile, Volleyball World is seeking a new chief executive after Finn Taylor stepped down at the end of April.
Martyn Phillips, the vice chair of the Volleyball World board, is serving as interim CEO until a successor is found.
The Volleyball World arm was launched in early 2021, after private equity firm CVC purchased a 33% stake worth around $100 million.
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The Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team announced their 2025 non-conference schedule earlier this week. In a departure to the recent past, it’s an easier slate for the Gophers to get prepared for the gauntlet that will be the Big Ten regular season. Minnesota is set to only face a trio of opponents than finished the […]
The Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team announced their 2025 non-conference schedule earlier this week. In a departure to the recent past, it’s an easier slate for the Gophers to get prepared for the gauntlet that will be the Big Ten regular season. Minnesota is set to only face a trio of opponents than finished the 2024 season ranked in the Top 25 out of their 11 non-conference matchups.
The Gophers will begin their non-conference slate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota taking on Texas A&M in the AVCA First Serve event on Monday August 25th. The Aggies finished the season ranked #16 in the nation a year ago. The Gophers will return home Labor Day Weekend and play a three-day tournament at Maturi Pavillion. Minnesota will welcome St. Thomas, Cal Poly and Ball State in for a trio of matches.
The following weekend the Gophers head to Nashville for a pair of matches. They will play at Vanderbilt on Friday night. The Commodores are playing their first season in Division I volleyball. They the Gophers will face Lipscomb on Saturday.
The following weekend Minnesota will host their annual Diet Coke Classic and welcome in South Florida, Dayton and South Dakota State for a trio of matches. Dayton finished the season ranked #17 in the nation a season ago.
The Gophers close out the non-conference slate the following weekend with matches at Loyola Chicago and Marquette. Both teams made the NCAA Tournament in 2024 with Marquette finishing the year ranked #21 in the nation.
Gopher head coach Keegan Cook had this to say about Minnesota’s non-conference slate.:
“Our non-conference schedule priorities were both numerous and specific for fall 2025. First and foremost we want a schedule that allows us to develop our team and prepare them for Big Ten play. 11 matches over five weeks gives us that opportunity. We will be a better team after these five weeks of competition. This schedule needs to position our program to earn a seed and host the NCAA tournament in the Pav again. Our 2025 non-conference opponents cumulative win percentage was over .700 in 2024, with many of the teams returning their core contributors. We sought to schedule programs with winning traditions and cultures, and we achieved that”
Long Beach Poly’s Fiona Lobedecis Crowned Champion at CIF State Finals – The562.org
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial. Long Beach Poly senior Fiona Lobedecis got sweet revenge at the CIF State Finals this week. After coming in second place at last year’s Finals, Lobedecis came out as the CIF State Champion on Thursday. The senior’s win was a dominant one. Lobedecis posted […]
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
Long Beach Poly senior Fiona Lobedecis got sweet revenge at the CIF State Finals this week. After coming in second place at last year’s Finals, Lobedecis came out as the CIF State Champion on Thursday.
The senior’s win was a dominant one. Lobedecis posted a score of 505.35, pulling ahead by a huge margin compared to her competitors. The second place diver had a score of 470.25.
“I am extremely proud of the work that Fiona has done this season as part of the Poly Swim and Dive team,” Poly head coach Ali Landeros said. “On top of being one of our most elite swimmers, she dedicated much of her time towards her development as a diver, and the results speak for themselves.”
Lobedecis was the 2024 Moore League Diver of the Year. She also holds the school record for her dive score at last year’s CIF State Finals, where she posted a 508.20.
“Even though Poly does not have an officially dive team, Fiona has pushed herself this season on her own doing club diving and making sure she had what it took to make it past the CIF-Southern section championships and on to the state competition,” Landeros said.
The Jackrabbit is taking her athletic talent and skill, along with her academics, to the next level. She will be joining the University of Michigan’s Dive team in the fall. She will be in the water alongside fellow Poly alum Colin Geer, who is already making history for Michigan through his second year.
“We’re extremely stoked on her accomplishments and know she’s going to continue on with her success in college,” Landeros said.
Men’s Cadet National Team Roster Announced for 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships
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Irvine, CA – May 14 – The roster for the Men’s Cadet National Team has been announced for the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships in Medellin, Colombia. The competition will take place from May 19-25 and will showcase some of the top pipeline athletes in the country. Live streaming of all matches will […]
Irvine, CA – May 14 – The roster for the Men’s Cadet National Team has been announced for the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships in Medellin, Colombia. The competition will take place from May 19-25 and will showcase some of the top pipeline athletes in the country.
Live streaming of all matches will be available on the PanAm Sports YouTube channel. More information can be found from PanAm Aquatics. See below for roster and schedule.
Men’s Cadet National Team
1 – Ethan Wallace, Goalkeeper, San Francisco Water Polo Club Warriors, Pacific Zone
2 – Hunter Coleman, Center, Stanford Water Polo Foundation, Pacific Zone
3 – Jack Davis, Attacker, Del Mar Water Polo Club, Pacific Southwest Zone
4 – Curren Francisco, Attacker, Newport Beach Water Polo, Southern Pacific Zone
5 – William Gorsche, Attacker, Los Angeles Premier, Coastal California Zone
6 – Ronan Keane, Attacker, North Irvine Water Polo Club, Southern Pacific Zone
7 – Christopher Koo, Attacker, Mission Water Polo Club, Southern Pacific Zone
8 – Andrew Schneider, Attacker, Mission Water Polo Club, Southern Pacific Zone
9 – Liam Zarcu, Attacker, San Diego Shores Water Polo Club, Pacific Southwest Zone
10 (C) – Sungwon Shin, Attacker, Del Mar Water Polo Club, Pacific Southwest Zone
11 – Francesco Pintaric, Attacker, Trojan Water Polo, Coastal California Zone
12 – Cord McCall, Attacker, Diablo Alliance Water Polo, Pacific Zone
13 – Alistair Sterrett, Goalkeeper, Northwest Water Polo Club, Pacific Northwest
14 – Owen Clark, Center Defender, Orange County Water Polo Club, Southern Pacific Zone
15 – Cortez Chavez, Attacker, Del Mar Water Polo Club, Pacific Southwest Zone
Women’s Track and Field To Send Eight To NCAA Championships Next Week
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MEDFORD, MA (May 16, 2025) — The NCAA announced the final selections to the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships next week May 22-24, and the Tufts University women’s track and field squad was awarded with eight entries after a solid outdoor season. The […]
MEDFORD, MA (May 16, 2025) — The NCAA announced the final selections to the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships next week May 22-24, and the Tufts University women’s track and field squad was awarded with eight entries after a solid outdoor season.
The Jumbos will have first-year Arielle Chechile in the 400 meter hurdles, after the newcomer posted a collegiate-best time on Thursday of 1:00.64 at the MIT Final Qualifier. Chechile’s time is currently the fifth-best among the field of 22 competitors to compete.
Fellow newcomer Makayla Moriarty ran a 55.21 at the 2025 NEICAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and got in as the No. 18 seed in the 400 meter dash.
The field crew will have a large contingent heading to the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, as senior Harper Meek was a last second selection into the field in the high jump after clearing 1.66 meters at the New England Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
First-year Elysse Cumberland will look to earn another national championship next week in a pair of events, as she qualified No. 5 in the nation in the long jump with a mark of 6.04 meters at the Tufts Sunshine Classic on April 19. She also will be the No. 3 seed in the event she won at Indoors, as her triple jump mark of 12.66 meters at the Sunshine Classic was plenty good enough for a spot in the NCAA field.
Cumberland will be joined in her two events by senior teammate Jordan Andrew, as the former All-American is seeded No. 5 in the triple jump after a leap of 12.29 meters at the Tufts Sunshine Classic on April 19. Andrew was close to the cutline in the long jump, but her 5.80 meter leap was good enough for the final spot in the field.
Sophomore Jackie Wells tossed a school record in the javelin on Thursday at the MIT Final Qualifier, as her toss of 42.41 meters was good enough for the 11th-best distance this spring. She will be making her first appearance at the NCAA Championships.
The long jump and javelin will be contested on Thursday, May 22 while the prelims of the 400 meter hurdles will also be run that day. Meek will compete in the high jump on Friday afternoon at 11:30 a.m., while Moriarty will run in the 400 meter dash prelims on Friday at 3:15 p.m.
Both Andrew and Cumberland will compete in the triple jump Saturday at 1:45 p.m., while the finals of the 400 meter hurdles and 400 meter dash are Saturday afternoon as well.
Cedar Crest gets defensive, dethrones Manheim Central for first L-L League boys volleyball championship | Boys’ volleyball
Cedar Crest got some payback. Manheim Central did not get a three-peat. And the Falcons — relentless and defensive-minded from the first serve until the final point — raised the Lancaster-Lebanon League boys volleyball championship gold trophy for the first time in program history on Thursday night. Blocking with authority and digging out seemingly everything […]
And the Falcons — relentless and defensive-minded from the first serve until the final point — raised the Lancaster-Lebanon League boys volleyball championship gold trophy for the first time in program history on Thursday night.
Blocking with authority and digging out seemingly everything in sight in the back row, Cedar Crest topped the Barons 3-1 in a sensational finale at Ephrata Middle School. Set scores were 25-18, 25-20, 16-25 and 25-19, as the Falcons snapped Central’s two-year reign over the league — and handed the Barons their first setback this spring.
“Fantastic,” said Cedar Crest’s Jack Wolgemuth, who had 15 kills and 15 digs. “This is what we’ve been pushing for. This is what we’ve had our eyes on since the beginning of the year.”
The Falcons (18-2 overall) finished the job, thanks in large part to a monster defensive effort.
“We had to (defend them),” Cedar Crest coach Monica Sheaffer said. “They’re a phenomenal attacking team. Going into practice I told the guys that if we’re going to beat them, we had to put up a block and read them. We had to play defense. That was our biggest thing.”
Cedar Crest poses with the trophy after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest captains Jack Wolgemuth, front, and Ryder Rohrer, rear, celebrate with the trophy after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Monica Sheaffer hands out gold medals to her team after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Monica Sheaffer talks to her team after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Ryder Rohrer (4) with the diving save against Manheim Central during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jack Wolgemuth (3) and the rest of the team react after beating Manheim Central during fourth set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Aidan Vukovich (9) withe winning hit against Manheim Central during fourth set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tyler Hackleman (7) with the dig against Manheim Central during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Landon Mattiace (26) with the hit against Cedar Crest during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Aidan Vukovich (9) with the hit against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tate Tadajweski (1) with the hit against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Blake Neiles (15) puts the ball over the net against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jack Wolgemuth (3) gets under a hit by Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) with the kill against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller 93) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) with the kill against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s student section cheers on their team as they take on Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jacob Alnoor (6) with the kill against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) and Jack Wolgemuth (3) block a shot by Manheim Central’s Dylan Musser (5) during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tate Tadajweski (1) with the hit against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s jack Wolgemuth (3) puts the ball over the net against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Landon mattiace (26) with the hit against Cedar Crest during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jacob Alnoor (6) with the kill against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Ryder Rohrer (4) sets the ball against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Blake Neiles (15) puts the ball over the net against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s caleb Groff (16) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Weston Longenecker (13) with the kill against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller (3) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller (3) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest poses with the trophy after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest captains Jack Wolgemuth, front, and Ryder Rohrer, rear, celebrate with the trophy after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Monica Sheaffer hands out gold medals to her team after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest head coach Monica Sheaffer talks to her team after beating Manheim Central 3-1 to win the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Ryder Rohrer (4) with the diving save against Manheim Central during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jack Wolgemuth (3) and the rest of the team react after beating Manheim Central during fourth set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Aidan Vukovich (9) withe winning hit against Manheim Central during fourth set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tyler Hackleman (7) with the dig against Manheim Central during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Landon Mattiace (26) with the hit against Cedar Crest during third set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Aidan Vukovich (9) with the hit against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tate Tadajweski (1) with the hit against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Blake Neiles (15) puts the ball over the net against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jack Wolgemuth (3) gets under a hit by Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) with the kill against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller 93) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) with the kill against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s student section cheers on their team as they take on Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jacob Alnoor (6) with the kill against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Drake Stiver (2) and Jack Wolgemuth (3) block a shot by Manheim Central’s Dylan Musser (5) during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Tate Tadajweski (1) with the hit against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s jack Wolgemuth (3) puts the ball over the net against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Landon mattiace (26) with the hit against Cedar Crest during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Jacob Alnoor (6) with the kill against Manheim Central during second set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest’s Ryder Rohrer (4) sets the ball against Manheim Central during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Blake Neiles (15) puts the ball over the net against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s caleb Groff (16) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Weston Longenecker (13) with the kill against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller (3) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Manheim Central’s Reagan Miller (3) with the hit against Cedar Crest during first set action of the L-L League boys volleyball championship at Ephrata Middle School on Thursday May 15, 2025.
Cedar Crest, fresh off its first Section 1 title in program history, was playing in an L-L title match for the first time, and the Falcons soared. Using a 3-0 nonleague setback at Central back in April as motivation — and defending passionately throughout — Cedar Crest got its revenge, withstood the Barons’ third-set punch, and happily accepted the gold medals at center court in front of packed house.
“This means absolutely everything,” said Cedar Crest setter Ryder Rohrer, who teed up 47 assists. “This feels so great. Very, very rewarding”
Aidan Vukovich sparked Cedar Crest in the first set with seven of his 14 kills. It was 15-15 when the Falcons surged; Tate Tadajweski (10 kills, 17 digs) and Wolgemuth had back-to-back kills to spur Cedar Crest’s set-ending 10-3 run and the Falcons had the early momentum, up 1-0 after stuffing the block and dig columns.
“We lost the first one 3-0 to them,” Wolgemuth said. “We did not want to lose the second one. Our defense was something like I’ve never seen before tonight. We picked everything up. Even if we just got a touch. That was going to be the biggest part of the game.”
Cedar Crest, riding momentum and continuing to block and dig at breakneck pace, never trailed in the second set, when Jacob Alnoor had six kills. Alnoor (12 kills, four blocks) also set up set-point when he blocked Central’s all-star middle hitter Landon Mattiace at the net. Alnoor had another block, and Tyler Hackleman’s ace helped the Falcons pull away late in the second for a 2-0 lead.
“Extremely huge,” Rohrer said. “We were able to play loose and play confidently. Having that early lead really helped us.”
Central (17-1) rose to the occasion in the third behind Weston Longenecker, who had five kills and two blocks. After not leading since 5-4 back in the first set, the Barons seized control with a 5-0 run — three points on blocks, two by Longenecker — and Central, the back-to-back-to-back reigning Section 2 champ, closed it out when Reagan Miller (20 kills) had a block, and then he sizzled a kill off a pretty feed from Dylan Musser, who set up 39 assists.
Longenecker had kills on two of the last three points to cap it, and the Barons were within 2-1 and still in it.
But Cedar Crest bolted to a 17-10 lead in the fourth. Central had one last salvo, getting two blocks from Blake Neiles and an ace from Mattiace, who piled up 13 blocks. But the Falcons stopped the bleeding on Tadajweski’s kill. Later, Wolgemuth’s kill set up match point, and Vukovich clinched the title with a kill.
“Blocking and defense, I thought (Cedar Crest) was outstanding,” Central coach Craig Dietrich said. “Everything was hard tonight. Everything. We even struggled to get points in transition. Maybe it was also a lot of motivation from the last time we played them. But hey, they played like champions here tonight. We tip our caps to them.”
Cedar Crest, with plenty of positive momentum, now heads to the District 3 Class 3A playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Central will be the No. 1 seed in the Class 2A bracket — with motivation to get back to the finals after falling there last spring.
TWITTER-X: @JeffReinhart77
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