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State Volleyball Tournament - Final Four Pairings and Previews Division I Championship Semifinals Cincinnati Ursuline (24-3) vs. Austintown-Fitch (23-4) Cincinnati St. Ursula (27-0) vs. Toledo St. Ursula (26-1) Preview Cincinnati St. Ursula is the only unbeaten team left in the state, and that is noteworthy for two reasons. First, it is not uncommon to have two or more undefeated teams reach this level. There were two last year and three in 2001. Second, it has become difficult for Girls' Greater Cincinnati League teams like St. Ursula to go undefeated because of their rugged schedules. Although the GGCL has won five straight Division I titles starting in 1998, none has gone undefeated since Seton last turned the trick in 1996 with a 29-0 record. But look at who St. Ursula has played while keeping their record unblemished. Toledo St. Ursula and St. Henry are both at State with a loss apiece, each to the Bulldogs. Cincinnati also beat out of state powers Louisville Assumption, Notre Dame Academy (Ky), and Belleville Althoff (Ill.), plus Ursuline and Mt. Notre Dame twice. The Bulldogs beat MND a third time in Saturday's regional final 15-7, 15-5. St. Ursula has lots of weapons with Beth Shelton, Beth Gillming and Maggie Schmelzle all capable of terminating a volley at any time, but if you focus on them Meaghan Mooney or MacKenzie Angner will blast a spike your way. The Bulldogs have one of the top setters in the nation in Bryn Kehoe. Because she sets you won't see it much, but Kehoe is superlative when it comes to defense. But you have to figure Toledo is going to pull out all the stops. They are led by spiking sensation Sarah Florian, outside hitter Kelsey Hills and defensive specialist Sydney Antonio, all seniors. This is the Arrows fourth consecutive trip to State, and they would love to bring the Toledo area its first Division I title. The Arrows had a nice team effort in their 15-7, 15-9 regional final win over Magnificat. Sarah Florian was on fire, getting kills from down the line shots, cross court spikes, dinks, tips, you name it. Unofficially, she led with 17 kills, Kelsey Hills added 8 more, Allison Mugler served several aces, and Brittany Fox made some key blocks. The semifinal battle of the St. Ursula's will pit two California bound stars against each other in what could be a preview of things to come. Florian is headed for Southern California while Kehoe will attend Stanford. Last fall those two PAC 10 archrivals locked horns in the NCAA Division I national championship match, won by USC. Ursuline's only losses are to St. Ursula, twice to Cincinnati and once to Toledo, who nipped the Lions 15-13, 13-15, 15-13 in a three game thriller at Vandalia-Butler's tri-match. The Lions have a quartet of stellar hitters in Stephanie Blackburn, Jeanna Staun, Carli Reihman and Erin Kanetzke. Blackburn is also a great digger. The Lions' ace in the hole is that they finished second in the GGCL. The GGCL runnerup has won State five of the last eight years, so the Lions have history on their side. Ursuline has been on a tear lately, holding McAuley and Watterson to six total points. Austintown-Fitch is on a 21 match winning streak after a 2-4 start. They avenged two early league losses. The Falcons lost at Magnificat's Fall Classic to Toledo St. Ursula 10-15, 8-15 when hitting star Maggie Case was sidelined with an injury, and they looked strong defensively in that match. Fitch beat Solon and Mentor in the regionals. Rankings Final Four Picks: Cincinnati St. Ursula (1), Ursuline (2), Tol. St. Ursula (3), Austintown-Fitch (4) Coaches Poll (Final): Cin. St. Ursula (1), Tol. St. Ursula (2), Ursuline (3), Austintown-Fitch (14) All-Ohio Players at State (high school, and college commitment if known, in parentheses) First Team: Stephanie Blackburn (Ursuline), Maggie Case (Austintown-Fitch), Sarah Florian (Toledo St. Ursula, Southern California), Beth Gillming (Cincinnati St. Ursula), Bryn Kehoe (Cincinnati St. Ursula, Stanford), Carli Reihman (Ursuline) Second Team: Beth Shelton (Cincinnati St. Ursula, Virginia) Third Team: Sydney Antonio (Toledo St. Ursula) Honorable Mention: Kelsey Hills (Toledo St. Ursula), Jeanna Staun (Ursuline)
Division II Championship Semifinals Archbishop Alter (25-2) vs. Maumee (22-6) West Holmes (24-3) vs. Kenston (24-3) Preview Archbishop Alter is a heavy favorite to win their second trophy in a row. The Knights stormed into the Nutter Center last year after dethroning Roger Bacon in the regional final. Then they overwhelmed their Final Four opponents 60-6 to claim their first title. Five of six starters returned this year including outside hitter Carrie DeMange and setter Ali Hausfeld. This is a seasoned and extremely talented group. Alter's only losses are to Mt. Notre Dame and nationally ranked Mater Dei from California. The latter came in the Nike Challenge in Chicago, and the Knights had their west coast opponents at match point in that one. They rebounded to beat Nebraska power Bellevue followed by Louisville Sacred Heart, who last week won the Kentucky State Championship. Alter had a close call in the regional final with Roger Bacon, 15-13, 15-11. But Roger Bacon beat fifth ranked Benjamin Logan 15-1, 15-4 in districts the week before. DeMange led in kills with 18. She and Hausfeld had six blocks apiece, and Hausfeld led in assists with 28 and digs with 15. Amy Wetterau had 12 digs. The other teams in Division II look fairly equal and if Maumee finds a way to topple Alter anybody can win this. The Panthers, who are led by District 7 Player of the Year Laurie Schade, have notched wins over Sylvania Northview and Bowling Green, and they beat Bellevue 15-8, 15-9 to get to the Nutter. Kenston versus West Holmes is a tossup. Kenston's losses are to Solon twice, and to Lake Catholic whom they beat last weekend 15-11, 15-6 in the regional final. Kenston won Stow's Invitational, beating a Fairview squad that had upset Mt. Notre Dame. Jessica Barrow and Kelsey Wintringham lead the Bombers' hitting attack. West Holmes has handed Orrville and Kidron Central Christian, two teams also at State, their only losses of the year. The Knights' losses were to Orrville twice and Mansfield Madison. They are led by hitters Tristen Dye and Mandy Humphrey, and setter Morgan McDowell. Rankings Final Four Picks: Archbishop Alter (1), Kenston (2), West Holmes (3), Maumee (4) Coaches Poll (Final): Archbishop Alter (1), West Holmes (6), Kenston (12), Maumee (N/R) All-Ohio Players at State (high school, and college commitment if known, in parentheses) First Team: Carrie DeMange (Alter, Duke), Tristen Dye (West Holmes), Ali Hausfeld (Alter, Duke) Third Team: Mandy Humphrey (West Holmes)
Division III Championship Semifinals Genoa (24-3) vs. Versailles (21-6) Orrville (26-1) vs. Westfall (23-3) Preview If the Division III State field this year has a new look, its because the only team that has ever been here before is Versailles, and the Tigers' only appearance was in 1988 when today's seniors were still toddlers. Orrville looks like the favorite, but anybody can win if they falter. The Red Riders have won 26 straight since losing the season opener to West Holmes, a team they subsequently beat twice. Orrville had an impressive 15-6, 15-6 win in the regional semifinal over Villa Angela-St. Joseph. They topped Mansfield Madison twice and won the Massillon Jackson Invitational over West Holmes and Copley. The Red Riders are led by Erica Short, TaNeisha Winters and setter Kara Guster. Westfall has one of the top setters in the state in Kelsey Sewards. Her favorite target is Nikki Ward. The Mustangs had a big win in Marion Elgin's tournament. After trouncing their hosts 15-6, 15-0 they knocked off Benjamin Logan 16-14, 15-13. Westfall toppled third ranked State Final regular Tuscarawas Valley in the regional final 16-14, 15-11, thwarting the Trojans who were trying for their fourth consecutive appearance, and sixth in the past seven years. When Margaretta knocked off top ranked defending champion Huron in the district final a lot of people figured this might be their year. But Genoa disabused fans of that notion last weekend with a 15-7, 14-16, 15-8 triumph over the Polar Bears. The Gerkensmeyer twins (Laura and Sarah) and Nissen cousins (Nicole and Courtney) had a grand total of 47 kills, plus over 20 blocks and 40 digs in that one. Setter Carrie Gnepper made 44 assists and 14 digs. Genoa won their league with a perfect 14-0 mark, and also beat Northwood and Anthony Wayne. Their losses were to Toledo Division I teams Notre Dame and Central Catholic, and Keystone. The Comets beat 19th ranked Wellington in the regional final. Versailles plays in the rugged Midwest Athletic Conference where they racked up four losses. They also lost to Russia and Marion Local (in a non-league match). But they are a battle tested team and their scrappiness showed in last weekend's region final win over Northridge. The Tigers are led by setter/outside hitter Cheri Stamman and outside hitter Kara Hemmelgarn. Rankings Final Four Picks: Orrville (1), Westfall (2), Genoa (3), Versailles (4) Coaches Poll (Final): Orrville (2), Westfall (7), Genoa (9), Versailles (N/R) All-Ohio Players at State (high school, and college commitment if known, in parentheses) First Team: Kelsey Sewards (Westfall), Erica Short (Orrville), TaNeisha Winters (Orrville) Second Team: Courtney Nissen (Genoa, University of Toledo) Third Team: Kara Hemmelgarn (Versailles) Honorable Mention: Nikki Ward (Westfall)
Division IV Championship Semifinals Fort Jennings (18-9) vs. St. Henry (26-1) Centerburg (27-1) vs. Kidron Central Christian (26-1) Preview St. Henry is currently tied for third in the All-Time State Championship list with five titles. The Redskins won their last one in 1995, which at that time put them all alone in second place. But in 1996, Buckeye Central topped St. Henry in the final 7-15, 16-14, 15-4. That same year Seton won their fifth title. In 1997 Cincinnati St. Ursula won their fifth straight title, and with two more since they have tied Newark Catholic for first with seven. And in 1997 Hopewell-Loudon started their run, winning the first of five consecutive titles. At any rate, if all goes well, top ranked St. Henry will move into third by themselves this Saturday with their sixth crown. But second ranked Centerburg may be standing in the way. The Redskins have looked awesome this year, going undefeated in the MAC for their eleventh consecutive league crown. They have bagged big names like Mansfield Madison, Elyria, Chaminade-Julienne and Piqua, and tough small schools such as Sidney Lehman, Old Fort and Northwood. They lost to Cincinnati St. Ursula, but who's going to hold that against them? The Redskins attack is led by hitters Lindsay Hess, Lindsay Puthoff and Nicole Elking. Christa Schwartz shares setting duties with Lanee Mikesell. St. Henry's first order of business will be getting past a scrappy Fort Jennings team that suddenly got hot at tournament time. When the regular season ended the Musketeers were on a two game winning streak -- their longest of the season! Since then they have added six more wins to make it eight in a row. In Division IV only St. Henry has a current winning streak longer than eight. And Fort Jennings' last five matches have provided fans with enough excitement to carry them all the way to next season. That's because the Musketeers only outscored their opponents 188-179 in that span, winning cliff hangers every outing. In all five matches they won at least one game by two points. They avenged a regular season loss to Ottoville, coming back after losing game one 3-15. In the regional final they toppled 25-1 Ayersville 15-13, 16-14. Fort Jennings is led by setter Laura Ricker and outside hitter Jenna VonLehmden, both seniors. Centerburg is making their sixth appearance at State and looking for their first title. They have not played the schedule St. Henry has, but have won most of their matches convincingly. Notable victims include Dublin Coffman, Hilliard Davidson, Westerville South, Big Walnut, Marion Pleasant and Northridge (twice). Bishop Watterson handed them their only loss in the regular season finale. And Ohio State recruit Ami Stevens has been awesome. Her hitting, blocking and digging helped the Trojans blow past then undefeated Frankfort Adena 15-0, 15-11 in the regional final. Tiffany Milburn and Ashley Stambaugh can also pound the kills, and the Trojans play their typical scrappy defense for which they are known. Kidron Central Christian returns for the second time having finished runnerup in 1992 to Antwerp who was led by jump serving sensation Jennifer Knapp. The Comets are led by middle hitter Sarah Zeltman and setter Rachel Thompson. Zeltman had 15 kills in last weekend's regional final win over Windham. Kidron won Archbold's Invitational, and has also beaten Smithville, Windham and North Canton Hoover. Their only loss is to West Holmes. Rankings Final Four Picks: St. Henry (1), Centerburg (2), Kidron Central Christian (3), Fort Jennings (4) Coaches Poll (Final): St. Henry (1), Centerburg (2), Kidron Central Christian (5), Fort Jennings (N/R) All-Ohio Players at State (high school, and college commitment if known, in parentheses) First Team: Lindsay Hess (St. Henry), Ami Stevens (Centerburg, Ohio State), Sarah Zeltman (Kidron Central Christian) Second Team: Lindsay Puthoff (St. Henry) Third Team: Rachel Thompson (Kidron Central Christian) Honorable Mention: Nicole Elking (St. Henry),
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