MANSFIELD – Volleyball in Richland County took a big step forward in 2023.
After no team had competed for a district championship since the 2018 Crestview Cougars, three teams now attempted to capture a district championship, with Lexington, Shelby and Ontario all winning sectional championships. Lady Lex made it to the district finals before being eliminated, and Richland County is still waiting for its first volleyball district champion since the 2017 Lexington team.
That’s all about to change, as the region is packed with volleyball talent for the 2024 season. Let’s take a look at the top 10 in this edition of Jake’s List.
2023 ALL-MNJ: The All-Mansfield News Journal volleyball teams consist of 32 players from Richland County
Top 10 Richland County Volleyball Players Returning in 2024
Honorable Mentions: Maddie Berry, Madison; Addison Farris, Madison; Kylie Thornton, Lexington; Adelle Cramer, Mansfield Christian; Olivia Brown, Lucas; Rozy Stover, Clear Fork; Maddie Boyer, Lucas; Myah Midkiff, Lucas.
10. Ally Shoemaker, Mansfield Christian
Shoemaker was named to the All-Mid-Buckeye Conference first team as a setter, as she dished out 588 assists, hit 63 aces and made 258 digs. She helped the Flames to the first league win in program history and finished 16-6, one of the best seasons the Flames have ever had. With new hitters around her, Shoemaker will once again organize the offense and the Flames aren’t expected to miss a beat.
9. Eve Schwemley, Shelby
Schwemley did just about everything for the Whippets last season, recording 209 kills, 21 aces, 10 blocks, 355 digs and 10 assists. The Swiss Army Knife was selected to the All-District 6 third team as a junior and earned honorable mention All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference honors while helping the Whippets reach the district tournament for the first time since 2012. With players like Schwemley back, the Whippets expect to be a fixture in the district tournament.
8. Kendra Walp, Shelby
Walp was one of the best defensive specialists in Richland County last year, earning second-team All-District 6 and All-MOAC honors after recording 516 digs and 491 service catches. Teams can have all the hitters they can handle, but if they don’t have a good defensive specialist, it’s going to be hard to keep up, and the Whippets have one of the best.
7. Sara Wharton, Ontario
Wharton led the Warriors last season with 263 kills, scored 56 aces and was the team’s third-leading player with 278 digs. She was named to the All-District 6 and All-MOAC second team to cap off a stellar sophomore season. At 6’10”, Wharton is a force at the net and will be a cornerstone for the Warriors over the next two years.
6. Annie Weaver, Ontario
Weaver was arguably Ontario’s best all-around player last year. She recorded 249 kills, 21 aces, 14 blocks, 193 digs and 244 caught serves, so she carried a lot of responsibility for the Warriors and they succeeded. She was a second-team All-District 6 player and second-team All-MOAC player last year as she helped the Warriors to a 13-11 victory and a sectional win. The Warriors are back for two more years and are excited to see what’s in store with Weaver.
5. Bella Temple, Lexington
There is no better setter in all of Richland County. As a sophomore, Temple dished out 749 assists, breaking the 1,000-a-career mark in just two years. She also had 124 kills, 60 aces, 39 blocks and 260 digs in an impressive season. She was named to the All-District 6 first team and All-Ohio Cardinal Conference second team, and there’s really no reason she wasn’t on the All-Ohio list after such a productive season. Temple has a chance to go down in Lexington volleyball history as one of the best setters, and she has two years left to make that history.
4. Madison Henkel, Shelby
Henkel had a great sophomore season, earning All-District 6 and MOAC selections as she posted 291 kills and 83 blocks as a force at the net. The Whippets posted their first winning season since 2017 and Henkel was a big part of that. With her remaining two years, Henkel has a chance to really make her mark in the volleyball world before attempting a state championship in the long jump on track. She is a special athlete.
3. Tatum Stover, Lexington
When talking about insane sophomore seasons, Stover has to be the focus. She recorded 302 kills, 56 aces, 14 blocks and 429 digs on her way to First Team All-District 6 and First Team All-OCC. And why wasn’t she on the All-Ohio list? Who the heck knows. But with two years left, she might not be able to be ignored, and if she puts up such eye-popping numbers again, the Lady Lex could be looking at their first district championship since 2017.
2. Lena Creed, Ontario
Creed was the best defensive specialist in all of Richland County, there’s no debate about that, and she should have been recognized as one of the best in the state. She recorded 554 digs and 467 caught balls, so she was involved in quite a few of the Warriors’ possessions. Creed was a big reason the Warriors won their first sectional championship since 2003, and will be an even bigger reason they’re expected to be right in the middle of the district title race again. Creed is the real deal and should be an All-Ohioan this year after being passed over last season.
1. Ava Brown, Lexington
Brown, who was again named the Mansfield News Journal Player of the Year, is a very special volleyball player. Last year, she amassed 550 kills, 36 aces, 137 service points, 42 blocks, 240 digs and 175 assists for one of the best all-around seasons in Richland County history. She was selected to the All-Ohio second team, All-District 6 first team, All-OCC first team and was named the Division II District 6 Player of the Year. The University of Maryland player is well on her way to proving herself as the best player to come through Lexington’s storied volleyball program. The next step is to lead the Lady Lex to their first district championship since 2017 and compete for their first OCC title since 2018. That will certainly be an accolade for her.
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
