PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order)
OH Aubrey Anders, Sr., Gimour: Played a strong second fiddle for the Lancers last season, averaging 3 kills per set. Colgate commitment.
L Nina Alfieri, Sr., Kirtland: Led a deep back line for the Hornets last season, where she made 415 saves for a 5.2 average. Also impacts the game from the service line with 22 aces.
OH Natalya Bergant, Sr., Lake Catholic: A consistent hitter whose job this season will be to lead from the pin. Averaged three kills with 25 aces last year and can also work from the middle. New addition to Nova Southeastern.
OH/S Marissa Brock, Sr., NDCL: Did a little of everything last season, averaging 2.2 digs, 4.6 assists and 1.8 kills. Brings a lot of experience to the Lions this season.
MB Ava Budrys-Rini, Sr., Lake Catholic: Can impact the game from the middle or outside. Tied on the team for most blocks per set (0.7) and third in kills (2.4). Walsh commit.
S Abby Kolcum, Sr., Chardon: Brings leadership qualities and will be key in running the offense. Averaged 4.7 assists with 18 aces last season. New addition to Slippery Rock.
MB Kayla Channell, Sr., Gilmour: The leader of a deep mid rotation and can also play the pin. Averages 0.6 blocks per set with 1.6 kills. Coastal Carolina commit.
OH Marlie Davis, Sr., Gilmour: Took control of the Lancers’ attack last season, averaging 3.8 kills per set to go along with 2.4 digs and 27 aces.
DS Mi-Na Diggs, Sr., Gilmour: Is a key part of the back line. Averaged three digs per set and 40 aces last year, can also be part of the attack when needed. Villanova commitment.
MB Liz Dunmire, Jr., VASJ: Had a stellar season last year, leading the team in kills per set (3.6) and averaging one block per game. She also recorded 3.1 digs per set and 27 aces.
OH Melody Garrett, Jr., mentor: Led the offense for the Cardinals on their way to the regional semifinals. Averaged 3.3 kills and made an impact in the back row, averaging 2.6 digs.
L Brie Habeeb, Sr., Gilmour: The vocal back-row leader averaged 6.1 digs per set last season, a News-Herald record, and led the team with 59 aces.
L Ashley Hansen, So., Cornerstone: Has proven to be an anchor in the back row, where she averaged 5.2 digs and collected 78 aces in a strong freshman season.
S Ella Jackson, Sr., Gilmour: She has led the Lancers’ offense for the past three seasons. Last season, she averaged 9.2 assists, 2.6 digs and 34 aces.
S Courtney Johnson, Sr., Riverside: Has become the leader of a young front line. Averaged 9.1 assists last season with 2.4 digs, 0.4 blocks and 42 aces.
OH Addison Koppelman, Jr., Chardon: Showed great improvement as a hitter last season, but was pushed into a more prominent role due to injuries. Averaged 2.2 kills, 2.1 digs and 32 aces.
OH Maddie Luciano, Sr., South: Had a strong year as the Rebels’ best hitter and also made an impact all over the field, averaging 3.5 kills, 3.4 digs and 38 aces (a team high).
OH Kayden McKinney, Jr., mentor: Similar to Garrett, he makes his mark in the front row and can influence the game in the back row. Averages three kills, 2.5 digs and 29 aces.
OH Madison Bergmann, Sr., Perry: The offense ran through her last season as she averaged 5.8 kills per set, which was a cover-area record. She also led the team in digs with three and aces with 56.
OH Emily Monachino, Sr., Hawken: The Swiss Army Knife helped Hawken win the CVC championship last season. Led the Hawks in assists (4.6), kills (2.7) and aces (50) and also scored 3.1 digs and 0.4 blocks.
L Julia Oster, Sr., Lake Catholic: Manned the back row for the Cougars the last two years en route to two state titles. Recorded 3.8 digs and 71 aces, most on the team. Colgate contract.
MB Aria Payne, Sr., Beaumont: Helped lead the resurgent Blue Streaks to the district finals. Led the team in kills (3.1) and blocks (0.8) while posting 39 aces.
OH Ali Puruczky, Jr., Cardinal: Led the Huskies’ play in both the first and last lines, leading the team with 4.3 digs and four kills to go along with 31 aces.
S Marissa Rish, Sr., Berkshire: Averaged 5.7 assists with 2.7 digs in a 5-2 rotation last season. Also played a role in the offense with 1.7 kills and 44 aces.
OUT OF THE BLOCK
• This is the first season with seven divisions. Regional strengths are scattered throughout, so opportunities for success are plentiful. Division I has four teams from the northeast districts advancing to regionals. D-II offers the most opportunities to advance with eight. D-III follows with six, D-IV has five, DV and D-VI each have four, and D-VII rounds it out with three.
• Many of the region’s top teams are in different divisions next season. Mentor remains DI, Riverside and Mayfield are in D-II, Gilmour, NDCL, Chardon and Kenston are part of a crowded D-III, Beaumont and Perry have spots in D-IV, Lake Catholic and Berkshire are in DV, Kirtland is in a top-heavy D-VI and Cornerstone and Cardinal are in D-VII.
• Chardon coach Bryan Sutton is in his first year after being an assistant in the past and the boys’ coach for the past two seasons. It’s a young group and Sutton likes the potential.
• The battle for the WRC will once again be fiercely contested as there is no clear leader among the six teams.
• There will be another battle in the CVC Valley, with Berkshire and Kirtland at the top of the division and Crestwood and Cardinal right behind them. The Badgers and Hornets shared the title a year ago, and the rivalry will take another big step this season.
Originally published:
