An unsung hero guided and steadied the Saint Ignatius volleyball team all season.

This senior was not the tallest or the most athletic on the team. But his calmness and precision on the court separated him from his opponents. Without his efforts, the Volleyball Cats would not have won their first state championship in school history on Saturday.

Rich Holzheimer is the talented man described above, and is deservedly the Student-Athlete of the Week. 

Holzheimer played a starring role for the Volleyball Cats in a weekend to remember at Capital University. The senior guided the squad to a 3-0 win over Westerville South, a 3-1 victory over St. Xavier, and a 3-0 triumph in the State Championship over Hilliard Darby. 

Holzheimer notched a total of 115 assists over the weekend – 41 vs. Westerville South, 39 vs. the Bombers, and 35 against the Panthers. The team's star setter finished the season with 976 of the squad's 1,164 assists in 2017, averaging an outstanding 11.2 assists per game. 

Besides his amazing setting numbers, Holzheimer also compiled 42 kills, 27 blocks, and 21 aces in a phenomenal year. His leadership ability and skill was not lost on his teammates or Head Coach Casey Marcelo. 

For his efforts on the court, Holzheimer received 2nd Team All-State accolades before the state final on Sunday. Holzheimer also played his part in helping the team earn Academic All-State honors with a 3.66 team GPA.

Following a special volleyball career with the Wildcats, Holzheimer will head to the University of Dayton. 

Best of luck to Holzheimer at Dayton, and congratulations again to him and the Volleyball Cats on a truly special season and championship!