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Ohio High School Volleyball Preview 2004
(First published by PrepVolleyball.com on 8/12/2004) Ohio’s rise to volleyball prominence reached its zenith last year when Cincinnati St. Ursula won the national title and their setter Bryn Kehoe was named Player of the Year. The Class of 2004 had more truly gifted athletes than any before, and with their graduation a national title encore is not in the offing. A national title encore is not in the cards, but Ohio’s upcoming season gets two thumbs up. The year 2004 is shaping up as a great season, and not just because Ohio is finally going to rally scoring. Twenty-eight players have college commitments with at least as many more in the running. Seven Ohio athletes were named to the Women’s 2004 Junior National Team A2 Roster, more than any other state. And marquee players are popping up in every age group. Benjamin Logan’s 6’3” senior right side hitter Nicole Fawcett recently qualified for the Women’s 2004 Junior National Team that is playing in the NORCECA Cup for the right to attend the World Games. Fawcett can touch 10’3” and may not reach her peak until well into her upcoming Penn State career. Meghan Simons, a 6’5” junior middle blocker from Bloom-Carroll, was named to the Youth National A2 Team and has verbally committed to Ohio State. Another junior, middle blocker Brittani Gray from Cincinnati Sycamore, also made that team. Centerville’s 5’8” Jordan Bradosky is “strong, sets well, jumps great and hits the ball a ton,” according to a rival coach who deems her the best sophomore in the state. Another sophomore, 6’5” middle blocker Stephanie Browne from Holland Springfield made the Youth National Team. Huron freshman Sarah Sage trained with Browne’s team. This talented 6’4” hitter is said to be the next Sarah Florian, who happens to be her idol, and against whom she scored two kills and a block in a scrimmage as an eighth grader. High school fans may have to wait a year to see her in action, however: a leg injury may sideline the talented frosh the entire fall season. What’s cool about these kids is they hail from different areas - and only one is from Cincinnati! Now don’t jump to conclusions - the Queen City is loaded as usual. At least seven Cincinnati schools look strong enough to win Division I, and Roger Bacon is favored in Division II. With that, let’s take a look at the likely winners, starting with the big schools. Regional favorites to get to the state Final Four are in parentheses. Division I – (Cincinnati St. Ursula, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, Findlay, Solon) This division has been dominated by super teams Cincinnati St. Ursula and Ursuline who have locked horns in the state championship three years running. But these rivals graduated a total of sixteen seniors and ten starters, and many think the division is wide open. The title could revert to another member of the Greater Girl’s Cincinnati League, which has won six straight, eight of the last nine and sixteen total titles. Every school in this league has the talent win it all. But the GGCL doesn’t have a lock. Their southwest region looks stronger than ever, and with the meteoric rise of JO ball in the Toledo area, the northwest now has teams who can duke it out with anybody. We see no clear favorite, but the winner should come from this alphabetically listed group: Chaminade-Julienne Rumor has it Cincinnati St. Ursula is loaded again. Boy, there’s a surprise! The Bulldogs have one of the state’s deadliest hitters in Maryland-bound Maggie Schmelzle, who had 14 kills and a .583 attack percent in last year’s finale, along with senior blocking machine Mackenzie Angner. We won’t know the starters until the season opens, but with talent like 6’2” sophomore middle hitter Michelle Kenning and senior OH Stephanie Wessels, plus middle hitter Marie Bazely and setter Jenny Roettker from last year’s JV squad, they will be very strong – and if anyone is talented enough to start in their stead - well, you see why we like this team’s prospects! A tough schedule includes Louisville Assumption and a trip to Chicago, so Coach Julie Perry figures to have her squad battle tested come tourney time. Mother of Mercy hasn’t won since 1982 but could do it with 6’2” senior middle Tricia Meyers and sophomore setter Samantha Viox. Mount Notre Dame, which won three straight from 1998-00, has plenty of talent to go with setter Mindy Rees (Loyola of Chicago), including Lindsay Upton and Mallorie Wessel. McAuley will be led by 6’0” outside Jami Torok, and junior middle Ashley Criswell. Keep an eye on sophomore Kristen White. Seton has a trio of solid returnees from a regional qualifier: senior setter Beth Robbins, 6’1” junior middle Megan Griffin and 5’10” outside Caitlin Carey. They have another talented setter on the roster in 5-10 Jr. Chelsea Graman. Ursuline, which has a new head coach in Chuck Harmon, looks to reload around the hitting of Catherine Wolfe and Bridget Mustard and the all-around excellence of defensive whiz Melissa Zenz. Look out for Walnut Hills, a non-GGCL school located near St. Ursula Academy that burst onto the scene last year with a roster of seven sophomores and three freshmen and took McAuley to three at sectionals. Outside hitter Brooke Sparks, setter Jane Thompson and standout middle blocker Natalie Marsh will try to take the Eagles even higher, with a boost from senior outside Veronica Alexander, a transfer from Orange County, New York with huge upside and even bigger hops. West Chester Lakota West could have a say with JO stars like 6’2” junior middle blocker Megan Dooley, junior OH Madison Arents and sophomore OH Jenna Hagglund. A young Sycamore team will be led by middle blocker Brittani Gray. Moving up to Dayton, Chaminade-Julienne may have its best team ever with a slew of talent back from last years’ regional semifinalist. The Eagles have size in the front line with 6’0” Pittsburgh-bound Stephanie Ross and a great libero in Jackie Strader. Ross can crush the ball from all parts of the net and is an intimidating blocker. Natalie Bauer will set and freshman outside Megan Slayback will add depth. Vandalia-Butler has two setter/hitters, Tennessee-bound Chelsea Noble and junior Cassie Mangen, plus Beth Oldiges and Alicia Sherrill. The Aviators are not tall, but their passing and feistiness could take them far. Perennial boys power Centerville looks to run a 6-2 with two great setters in Jordan Bradosky and Sarah Sheers. Their No. 1 hitter is Jenny Pohlman, and freshman middle Jenny Caylor will make some noise. Kettering Fairmont is a tough serving team that plays good defense. Outside hitter Stephanie Bennett can pass anything and tied a school record last year for aces in a match. With setter Ashley Gan, middle hitter Kelsey Rankin and libero Jenna Housemen the Firebirds could surprise. Junior Gretchen Van Der Sluijs can hit almost every set, and will lead a strong Dayton Carroll team blessed with two junior setters, Linzie Evans and Ashley Brewer, and a solid middle in Amy Nuss. Other players to watch: Piqua setter Abigail Hardman and Oak Hills defensive specialist Shelley Walroth. In the northwest, Toledo St. Ursula has been to state four years running and last year gave their Cincinnati namesake a three-game scare in the semifinal. Sarah Florian is off to Southern California, and three other key seniors have departed, but the Arrows still have lots of talent. They also still have Florians, junior twins Emily at setter and Allison at right side. Add 6’0” middle hitter Brittany Fox (Youngstown State), strong attacker Hayley Wiemer, digger Laura Fender, setter Jessica Dominiak and right side Allison Mugler, and the Arrows have offense and defense, and their roster is deep with JO experienced youngsters. More importantly, they play like a team that’s been to the Dance. They just know how to win. Findlay heralds four players with Division I college commitments – and, with their height, opponents may think they are playing a college team. The Trojans will be led by 6’1” setter Allie Niekamp (Georgia Tech). Attacking will be 6’3” middle blocker Sarah Wilson (Toledo), 6’0” outside Emily Zulauf (Indiana) and 5’11 outside Morgan Ammons (Canisius). A regional matchup between Findlay and St. Ursula could be a in the works, but minefields abound. One is Anthony Wayne, led by 6’1” middle blocker Callie Miller, who will team with Niekamp at Tech. Elsewhere, Kelly Campbell, a 6’0” hard-hitting attacker headed for Pacific, will try to lead Mansfield Madison back to their pinnacle in 1997 when they dethroned Cincinnati Seton for the title. Perrysburg will be tree sized with senior hitters Kate Fissel and Andrea Sczesny, joined by sophomores Melissa Szkutnik, Chelsea Campbell, and junior blocker Nichole Diller, all 5’11” and up. Skzutnik and Campbell played in the High Performance Championships in Austin, Texas last month. The loss of setter and four-year starter Sara Hughes, will hurt. Bowling Green should be scrappy again with Junior Nationals All-Tournament Team libero Chelsey Meek (Bowling Green), 6’2” hitter Amanda Dever, and a nifty sophomore setter in Kristen Barr. Sylvania Northview will be led by setter/outside hitter Jen Yark and 6’2” middle Meagan Schoenrock. Toledo Central Catholic will counter with 6’1” junior outside Ellen Herman and three other juniors who started a year ago. The northwest also draws two teams from the Cleveland area. Magnificat should be one with senior setter Abby Turza, and hitters like Jackie Williams, Jessica Artman and Sarah Petrulis. Elyria has one of the best setter/hitters in the state in four year starter Kate Verhoff, and jumping jack Alex Boros plays a lot taller than 5’5”. Should either falter, Strongsville, led by Allie Meczka (Ohio University), or Brunswick with outside hitter Colleen Dryja (Akron), will be waiting. And Cleveland St. Joseph Academy is a sleeper with hitters Annie Sibert and Katie Lehane who came on strong a year ago. Players of note: North Royalton sophomore middle hitter Allie Schwarzwalder; Lorain Southview defensive specialist Elisha Neely; and Parma Padua defender Michelle Rossi. Northeast Ohio used to be on the volleyball power axis but has come up short on titles since 1992. Solon and Mentor should battle for the State berth. Solon features returning hitters Sarah Kaczuk, Angelica Rizzo, Kristi Pumpa, and Amanda Rodman. Mentor will be led by 6’6” middle blocker Megan Skouby and 6’0” right side Erica Parker. Austintown Fitch lost their setter, all-everything Maggie Case and coach but watch for sophomore outside Caitlyn O’Patchen. Other players of note are 6’2” junior middle Jill Wolosiansky from Green, who commuted to western Ohio this summer to play for Team Atlantis; 5’11” sophomore middle April Melquist from Youngstown Boardman; and middle hitter Lindsay Raus (High Point) from Wooster. The Columbus region also picks up a district from the larger southwest, which if you care about such matters explains how two Cincinnati teams can advance to State. Lancaster looks like the strongest in the Central area. The Gales will be led by 5’9” track star and outside hitter Heather Powers, and middle hitter Jessica Gilland. But the area will be highly competitive with good athletes spread over several teams. Delaware Hayes hopes to make a move with 6’1 hitters Katie McKee and Brittany Steinbrecher, 5’9” setter Katie Hayes and Taylor Russel. Bishop Watterson will be in the hunt again with middle hitter Stefanie Meyers. Other teams to watch: Westerville North (outside Molly Manser); Hilliard Davidson (setter Heather Faehnle and junior middle Katie Butz); Newark (middle Lacey Gray); Westerville South (Colin McLain); Gahanna-Lincoln (middle Laura Waters-Brown); and Pickerington Central (middle Jamie Drees). Unless someone in Central really steps it up, look for the southwest representative to advance again. Division II – (Roger Bacon, Holland Springfield, Kenston, West Holmes) After seeing Kettering Archbishop Alter win last November’s southwest regional final, I already had my 2004 pick: the scrappy St. Bernard Roger Bacon team that saw late game ties slip away in a disappointing 13-15, 11-15 loss as a senior laden team led by Duke recruits Ali Hausfeld and Carrie DeMange outlasted a young Spartan squad that would return intact in 2004. Roger Bacon will be led by 5’7” junior Katie Veatch, another in a line of great setters this school has produced. With 5’10” and taller attackers like Jessy Hoeh, Heather Hausfeld, Lauren Newton and Katie Westerfeld, their offense will be hard to stop. And with defenders like Lauren Sheppard, they will be hard to score on. Everyone agrees this is the team to beat, not only in Div. II but in the entire state regardless of class. After winning back-to-back State Championships, Archbishop Alter has one returning starter in middle hitting go-to player Mandy Robbe (Dayton). But the Knights are oozing with young talent that will be tested at the varsity level for the first time. Their middle attack will be their strength but their passing is unproven. Expect great things from sophomores like middle hitter Emily Borchers, setter Kacie Hausfeld and outsides Katie Laravie and Sarah Fisher. Cincinnati McNicholas returns three 6-foot plus hitters, Katelyn Reber, Sara Staubach and Katey Schroeder (Cincinnati). With passing and a solid setter they could give Roger Bacon a run; they stayed with the Spartans at times last year. The southwest is also home to Benjamin Logan and Nicole Fawcett. The Raiders need a couple more players like jumping jack sophomore Jayme McKirahan to step up and mix around the offense. They might be the favorites if they make the final four, but they’ll have to climb Mt. Everest to get there. Springfield Shawnee will have a strong diverse offense with hitters like Libby Short and Erika Perry, but will be hard pressed to get out of their district. Ditto for Eaton, which has two strong hitters in Bryanna Marcum and Elizabeth Ayers. Other teams of note are Hamilton Badin, Purcell Marian and Kings. Players of note: sophomore Morgan Mace of Washington Court House, senior outside hitter Danelle Speakman from Chillicothe Unioto, Bellbrook’s middle/outside Stephanie Zollars and Erica Richardson from Wilmington. Northwest Ohio looks highly competitive. Holland Springfield gets our nod with Stephanie Browne and setter Hillary Fountain, both sophomores. But several teams in their district have players who can take charge of a match: Defiance (6’2” outside Rachelle Hagerty, one of the best in the state), Elida (Megan Mohr, headed for Bowling Green), Ottawa-Glandorf (Shelly Bellman), Celina (jumping jack outside hitter Kelsey Fleck) and Maumee (setter Lisa Galvin). Some teams from the Northern Ohio League will also contend: Bellevue, Galion and Norwalk look like the best. Central District will send two teams to the northwest regional. One likely entrant is Columbus St. Francis DeSales, led by 6’1” hitter Talisa Kellogg (Georgia Tech), daughter of former NBA star Clark Kellogg. The other is Sunbury Big Walnut which looks good to go if they replace their setter, as Kelly Murray and Diana Dupler should provide lots of firepower. Buckeye Valley will be led by outside/setter Emma Eyerman and watch for freshman outside Lisa Wahl. Canal Winchester will contend again with middles Kris Stover and Marie Contosta. Kenston was the surprise northeast winner last year and, despite losing four starters, they might encore with hitters like Jessica Barrow, Hallie Hanks and Julie Papaleo. The Bombers got a break with the move of Fairview Park Fairview’s district to the east this year. Lake Catholic returns one starter, a top defensive player named Stephanie Unger (Penn State). Copley middle hitter Emily Jones, who just committed to Ole Miss, is considered one of the top athletes in the area. Hubbard should be in the hunt. Other players to watch: sophomore Katie Dull of Walsh Jesuit, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin outside hitter Ally Perko, and outside hitter Alyse Lahti from Pepper Pike Orange. Millersburg West Holmes should make it four straight in the east/southeast, but will get a stiff test from whoever wins the Cleveland area district that moved into their region. The Knights, runners-up to Alter the past two years, will be led by setter Morgan McDowell, strong, excitable middle hitter Mandy Humphrey and libero Ali Drushal. Outsides Trisha Uhl and Brittany Mathie are outstanding athletes, and watch for sophomore hitter Keysha Allison. The Knights’ toughest contender looks like Fairview which returns eight of nine, including defensive specialists Ashley Schmidt and Lauren Patton, setter Brittany Langel and hitters Anne Dunn and Holly Suttle. These kids led the Warriors in a big win over Elyria last year. Also from Cleveland is a young but strong Olmsted Falls team, led by junior hitter Alex Brown who grew up fast last year and became the go-to girl when the Bulldogs were injury riddled. Rocky River is another possibility. It’s lucky for West Holmes only one Cleveland team can qualify. Elsewhere in the region, Maysville, which really is from eastern Ohio, has several starters back, including sophomore Linsey Strohl, a setter with great court sense and a 4.0 to boot. Byesville Meadowbrook could be trouble with juniors Katie Lee and Jennifer Woodby, and Dresden Tri-Valley and New Concord John Glenn should be strong. A player of note is hitter Liz Fazio from Akron Coventry who can terminate volleys from wherever. Division III – (Orrville, Huron, Newark Catholic, Bloom-Carroll) “I’m not going to worry about next year. What happens next year happens next year. I’m just going to enjoy this”. So said Orrville coach Diane Shanklin when asked about the prospects for the 2004 season after her team beat Versailles 15-5, 15-9 to win it all in their first ever trip to state. Well, now Shanklin can worry. Not that she needs to fret too much. Orrville gave up a mere six points per game in their eight (two-games a match) romp to the title, and lost only their number one hitter to graduation. The Red Riders still have Indiana bound spiker 6’2” Erica Short, a superb setter in Kara Guster, and attackers Ashley Hershberger and Katie O’Hare who will burn defenses that focus on Short. Orrville plays in a tough league and beats bigger schools like Mansfield Madison and West Holmes. And that’s why we’re picking them to repeat in the northeast and at State. Trouble might come from 2002 semifinalist Girard who will be led by setter Erin Stevens and outside hitters Courtney Madden and Elise Roscoe. Only a sophomore, Roscoe got a lot of press last year. A player to watch is Regina middle hitter Amanda Wilson. With Sarah Sage moving up, Huron hopes to get through the northwest and back to the final four. Their four year run to State was rudely interrupted last fall when, undefeated, they suffered a bitter 11-15, 15-9, 14-16 loss in districts to league archrival Margaretta, a team they’d already handled twice. The Tigers have four holes to fill, most importantly setter, and Sage can’t play multiple positions (or at all if her injury rehab goes slowly). Outside hitter Amanda Fox will provide much needed senior experience. Margaretta could menace Huron again in districts with junior spiker Micki Kuns. Wellington will challenge in the region. Their outside hitter Carissa Greetham is a great all around player, and watch for sophomore hitter Ashley Yuhas. Other pitfalls include: Lutheran West (hitter Jessica Moses, Pittsburgh); Genoa (twin hitters Laura and Sarah Gerkensmeyer); Elyria Catholic (setter Paige Samek); Rockford Parkway; Coldwater; and, Archbold. In the southeast, Westfall hopes to return to the final four despite losing their top two starters. Setter Randi Rodgers is back and the Mustangs have height. But this region has a lot of parity and several teams can win. Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley made state from 2000 through 2002 and four-year starting setter Audra McCoury will try to lead her troops back. The Trojans were nosed out by Westfall in last season’s regional final. Eastern Brown has a top middle hitting prospect in sophomore Heather Koehler. Perennial power Wheelersburg should challenge again with setter Cathy Cheek, and Buckeye Trail will be formidable with seniors Britini Borrero and Molly Grimes. Not many folks have heard about Oakwood, but with size, some dangerous hitters and an unheralded setter, they could win the southwest this year. The Lumberjacks will be lead by the Fritz sisters, setter Kelly and outside hitter Katie who can almost jump out of the gym, along with middle hitters Sarah Hartzell and Elysee Carpenter. State runner-up Versailles will be in the thick of things again. The Tigers play in a tough league and return solid hitting in Mallory Grilliot, Laura Grilliot and Mallorie Brand. Other possibilities are Anna, Reading and Middletown Fenwick. Central District sent teams to southeast and southwest in 2003. Newark Catholic was one, and the Green Wave look good to go again with 6’0” junior blockers Sarah Clapper and Shannon Wilson, to go with senior hitters Searra Schell, Katie Gardner and Kaylee Firich - if they can replace an outstanding setter. They recently split a scrimmage with DeSales. Bloom-Carroll looks good, too, with Meghan Simons and setter/hitter Ashley Hughes, but we won’t know until the tournament seedings if they can stay out of Newark Catholic’s district. If they do, both can make it to state. Marion Pleasant has a solid setter in 5’9” Rachel Bennett to feed 6’1” middle Erin Kume. Marion Elgin will be led by setter Ashley Schultz and outside Amanda Worstell. Division IV – (St. Henry, Norwalk St. Paul, Fisher Catholic, Kalida) The strongest small school teams in Ohio are St. Henry, Sidney Lehman Catholic, Maria Stein Marion Local, and Norwalk St. Paul. This may sound like an All-Catholic final four in the making, but only two can reach State and only two are Catholic schools. St. Henry and Marion Local, located seven miles down the road from each other in west Ohio farm country, are public schools, although Maria Stein is a Catholic Shrine and St. Henry has a predominantly Catholic population. They along with Versailles are members of the Midwest Athletic Conference, which has seen seven of its members make it to state since 1990. Despite this seeming balance, St. Henry has won eleven straight league titles. We’ll give St. Henry a slight nod to win it all, but they have a tough road to travel in the southwest region. The Redskins’ top returnees are middle hitter Lindsay Puthoff, outside hitter Cami Lefeld and setter Christa Schwartz. Marion Local features a tall but young team that blocks well, led by junior middle hitter Jenna Barhorst and senior middle blocker Kelsey Schaefer. These archrivals will meet in sectionals, where they’ve exchanged victories the past two years. Minster will try to crash the party, led by setter Laura Morsey and a sophomore with a vertical named Danae Spieles. Whoever prevails may run into Convoy Crestview at district. The Lady Knights feature power hitters Shea Dietrich and Courtney Springer, and libero Jamie Perkins. The regional will be strong. Although hard hit by graduation, Sidney Lehman is expected back as Coach Greg Snipes knows how to rally his troops. Expect to hear a lot about outside hitters Jessica Butt and Roshelle Watercutter. Jackson Center should return as well. This team is aggressive and energetic with experienced players. Senior setter Cara Metz will get the ball to the hottest hand, and outside/middle Catie Halberstadt can really bring the heat. Other players to watch in Southwest are 6’2” hitter Leslie Hoelscher of Ft. Loramie and Carrie Jantsch from Cincinnati Summit Country Day. With three All-State seniors, Norwalk St. Paul is the team to beat in the northeast. Outside hitter Megan Centers, Leah Schaffer, and Katie Playko will lead the Flyers. Their most likely competition is Windham, led by Ali Roach, and Kidron Central Christian. The southeast is wide open this year with state champ Centerburg and perennial power Frankfort Adena hard hit by graduation. Both schools have a history of reloading and Adena has one blue chipper in Katie Roush, but this will be an opportune time for someone else to grab the state berth, and there is no dearth of contenders. Fisher Catholic has a solid middle hitter in Audra Vucic. Beaver Eastern has one of the top middles in the state in Rebecca Day. From Ohio Amish country Berlin Hiland will contend with their middle Leah Hochstetler. Paint Valley has All-State returnee Tiffany Dailey. Ridgedale will be led by junior setter Sarah Johnston. Watch for Delaware Christian with outside Sarah Carroll, setter Audra Sherman, and freshman Courtney Boggs who scored 253 points on serve with 123 aces as an eighth grader. If nobody else claims it, look for tiny Shekinah Christian with an enrollment of seventeen girls to surprise. Their top returning player is junior defensive specialist/outside Katelyn Byars. The Northwest looks like the free-for-all it was last year when a Fort Jennings squad coming off a 12-9 regular season won four three-game heart stoppers and then stunned top seed Defiance Ayersville in the regional final 15-13, 16-14. Kalida is the only team in this group with an All-State returnee in Allison Siefker. Two teams with strong right sides are Old Fort, with Kara Kohlenberg; and Miller City with Kim Schnipke. Other possibilities include Defiance Ayersville, Northwood, Ottoville, Fort Jennings and Mohawk.
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