​Elijah Myers of Firestone has been named the Division Player of the Year for the 2026 season by the Ohio Boys Scholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. The award came as a surreal moment for Myers, who credited his teammates for creating a positive environment that allowed him to perform at his best, and his coaches for guiding him so he could play more effectively. “It was surreal to receive the Ohio Player of the Year honor,” Myers said. “I’ve been working toward this for a long time, and it feels like a fitting culmination of my high school career. I have to thank my teammates for making this last season enjoyable, and I’m grateful to my coaching staff for keeping me honest and helping me continue to improve.”
The 18-year-old outside hitter stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 175 pounds. He resides in Firestone’s district and graduated in 2026 from Akron’s STEM High School with a 4.3 cumulative GPA. Myers is also a member of the National Honor Society. During his senior season, he racked up 371 kills on a 53 percent kill average, along with 272 service receptions, 260 digs, 237 service points, 95 aces, 48 assists, and 30 blocks. Firestone finished the season 14-9 and reached the Division II, Region 6 semifinals.
Firestone head coach and Myers’s mother, Stacey McMillan, called the recognition well deserved. “Elijah is certainly one of the best athletes I have ever coached,” she said. “His work ethic, his dedication to the game, and his ability to bring out the best in his teammates contribute to his success.” Myers has previously helped Firestone reach the Division I, Region 2 quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024, posting records of 14-10 and 14-11 in those seasons. The Falcons went 17-8 in 2025 and were the Division II, Region 6 runner-up that year.
Over his four-year career, Myers has totaled 1,183 kills with a 50.6 percent kill efficiency, 869 digs, 866 service receptions, 730 service points, 273 aces, 223 assists, and 140 blocks. His continued impact on the court has been a hallmark of Firestone’s program as they have pursued deeper runs in postseason play.
Looking ahead, Myers plans to major in international business and continue his volleyball career at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. Fort Valley State University made history by becoming the first Historically Black College or University to compete in the NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Division I championship tournament in 2024 and returned to the tournament in 2025. The Donovan Mitchell Foundation’s SPIDACARES has supported Fort Valley State University in its endeavors. Myers expressed pride in his family’s support and in his own journey, underscoring how his path has shaped him as a player and a person as he prepares for the next stage of his athletic and academic career.