Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Brophy volleyball player Billy Andrew is the real deal

March 14, 2014 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


There isn’t a coach in Arizona or anywhere who doesn’t want to put their athletes in the best light possible, even if it means overstating the kid’s credentials once every now and then.

Some are not overstatements, however. The accolades truly are a part of the athlete’s DNA.

One example of this is Phoenix Brophy Prep volleyball star Billy Andrew. The 6-foot-7 senior middle blocker excels in every sense of the word.

“He plays heroically,’’ said Brophy coach Tony Oldani, in his 16th season leading the Broncos. “He runs off the court to save shots, then quickly gets back to the middle. His athleticism, his lateral movement along the net, is unbelievable.

“The greatest hope for a coach is that your most talented kid also is your hardest worker. You don’t always get that. Sometimes there is a sense of entitlement. There is none of that with Billy. He is the most talented kid, and he is the hardest worker. We have four sophomores and a freshman on our team, and it is great for them to see what he does.’’

Before Andrew moves on to Princeton to start his college career, he wants to make sure Brophy’s team is set up to succeed in the future.

“I want them to be as good as they can be in two or three years,’’ he said.

Brophy was 11-4 after Thursday night’s 3-2 win over Glendale Deer Valley.

“I think we have played really well,’’ Andrew said. “This year, we have played with resiliency. We’ve been able to work out of some holes. If we get down by two or three points, we are going to be there fighting right back.’’

The senior season is no time for a player to leave anything on the floor.

“I want to be tired when I rotate out,’’ Andrew said.

While most of Andrew’s Brophy teammates have been playing club ball for quite some time, this only is about his fourth year of full-season volleyball, including club. He played basketball as a freshman at Brophy, but felt more comfortable with volleyball and made a full commitment to it.

He enjoys doing just what his position says – blocking the ball.

“When you do it, it always pumps you up,’’ he said. “When the ball goes back in their (opponent’s) direction, you say to yourself, “I stopped you from getting the kill.’ It is a real momentum-booster.’’

Oldani said Andrew and his teammates get along very well.

“It’s the best group we’ve had like that in awhile,’’ Oldani said. “They have really been a blessing.’’