The 30th annual USA Junior Olympic Boys Volleyball Championships are set to begin Wednesday at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. And, once again, Tool City is heading in as a real contender.

The Tool City 18 Club team, which consists of Maplewood’s Nicholas Bancroft and Jackson Ferringer, Meadville’s Adam Barba, Saegertown’s Kyle Beatty, Conneaut Valley’s Jeff Conley, McDowell’s Brenton Mineo, and Cochranton’s Ethan Oertly and Adam Roche is figured to be among the top contenders in the 53-team field, according to Tool City director Denny Patton.

Last year, many of the same players helped Tool City finish in the top 10 in the 17 Club division. Ferringer, a Meadville Tribune Dream Team selection this season, did not play last season, however, due to a knee injury. Patton said his return in addition to another strong presence at middle hitter in Conley should be a benefit.

“Ferringer’s return definitely strengthens us,” Patton said. “Then with Jeff Conley. We have another legitimate middle hitter. (Tool City 18 Club) is definitely our strongest team.”

Patton said the team has prepared for the national tournament by scrimmaging against a team of Tool City alumns, which includes reigning AVCA All-Americans Matt Werle (Juniata College) and Jordan Varee (St. Francis University), in addition to St. Francis University graduate Travis Fox and current RedFlash member Ben Wetsell.

“I don’t think they’re going to see anyone tougher than what they’ve been playing against in practice,” said Patton.

The team is coached by Saegertown head coach Justin Johnson and begins play today.

On Thursday, the Tool City 16 Orange and White teams begin. Tool City 16 Orange is coached by Jim Brown and features Maplewood’s Christian Brown, Cambridge Springs’ Michael Hobson, John Turner and Geoff VanWinkle, McDowell’s Chris Mineo, Cochranton’s Josh Oertly and Ty Sheehan and Meadville’s Chad Smith. The Tool City 16 White team, coached by Brian Shoop, includes McDowell’s Ben Boncella, Meadville’s Cole Graham, Alex Minnis, Travis Jensen and Caleb Stein, Saegertown’s Justin Griffin and Conner Shorts, and Conneaut Valley’s Nolan Varee.

Saturday marks the beginning of the Tool City 14 Club team’s quest for gold under Patton. The 14s finished a surprising sixth out of 29 teams last year. Patton is hoping for similar results this year with a team that consists of Maplewood’s Logan Battin and Justin Dahl, Cochranton’s Nickolas Dickson and Logan Herzberger, Meadville’s Matt Izbinski and Tyler Minnis, and Saegertown’s Shane Rigby and Dustin Pavlik.

“We’ve got some size and some decent athletes,” Patton said. “They haven’t looked real great in scrimmages, but neither did last year’s team. But they ended up having a super tournament. Hopefully, lightening strikes twice.”

The Tool City 17 Orange and White Club teams will begin play on Saturday.

Tool City 17 Orange is coached by Meadville head coach Doug Nelson and includes Saegertown’s Patrick Amy, Casey Handel and Dylan Johnston, Meadville’s Tyler Banks, Daniel Nelson and Taylor Willey, McDowell’s David Rion and Cochranton’s Jacob Schultz. Tool City 17 White is coached by McDowell’s Dean Platz and includes Saegertown’s Jason Amy and Clay Dawson, McDowell’s Daniel Clark, Jake Keefer and Matthew Twinem, and Meadville’s Joshua Dolnosich, Tom Hillwig and Ian Phillips.

All age groups will play four days.

Lisa Byers can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 277 or by e-mail at lbyers@meadvilletribune.com.