June Rankings for Class C-2

<p>The 2019 high school season is going to creep up on you like a guy in a scary mask in a horror movie. It’s right around the corner, so be prepared. And definitely don't run for the old abandoned house in the woods.</p> <p>July is when the high school team camps really kick into overdrive, and that’s when we will start to see if reality matches expectations for some teams. It’s far too early to try and pin down the top 10 teams in each class, so here is a look at the top five in each class. We will have updated team rankings in early July, early August and then the actual preseason rankings just before the start of the season.</p> <p>For now, let’s take a look at my projected top five teams in Class C-2.</p> <p>***Note that I’m trying to make educated guesses on the classes teams will be in as well. Especially in the lower classes, there is a decent chance that teams may wind up competing in a different class than what I have them ranked in.***</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#1 - Superior</strong></span></p> <p>Class C-2 was an extremely deep and talented class last year. After winning the 2017 state title, Superior ran into a couple buzzsaws at the state tournament, falling to Hartington Cedar Catholic in the semifinals and Stanton in the third-place match. The Wildcats, though, are poised to reclaim their crown this fall. Yes, all-everything Kalynn Meyer is back for her senior year and her younger sister, Shayla, is also one of the best players in the class. The key, though, is the return of the underrated Teghan Sullivan. If the Wildcats can replace the graduated Trisha Hayes as a third offensive weapon at the net and get better balance in the back row, Class C-2 is there for the taking for them.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#2 - Hastings St. Cecilia</strong></span></p> <p>The Hawkettes lost to eventual champion Blue Hill in the state quarterfinals last year and they return a boat load of talent in 2019. Aside from Kalynn Meyer, Tori Thomas may be the most intimidating force at the net in the class, and she returns after a 325-kill season on .322 hitting. Setter/RS Makenna Asher also returns as a multiple-year starter and Hastings SC also returns talent and experience in the from of Katherine Hamburger (200 kills last year) Cloe McMCauly (158 kills) and Addie Kirkegaard. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#3 - Fillmore Central </strong></span></p> <p>This has the potential to be a historic season for Fillmore Central's volleyball program, which has never been to the state tournament since its creation in 1999. The two schools that came together to form Fillmore Central - Geneva and Fairmont - had exactly one state appearance and zero wins between them. After a 17-10 season a year ago, the Panters return one of the state's top outside hitter in Halle Theis, a Regis University recruit, along with Erin Schmidt, Lexi Theis, and Macy Scott. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#4 - Battle Creek</strong></span></p> <p>Last year, Battle Creek went to the state tournament for the first time in a decade. This year, the Braves have a very realistic shot at getting their first win at state since 1989. Battle Creek lost to Stanton in the state quarterfinals a year ago and return one of the state's most dynamic players in Ohio recruit Tria McLean, a setter/RS. What makes Battle Creek so good, though, is the depth the Braves will have this year with returning players such as Brianna Zohner, Riley Seifert and Madaline Taake. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#5 - Ewing-Clearwater-Orchard</strong></span></p> <p>After being one of the top Class D-2 programs the last couple years, Ewing is now part of Ewing-Clearwater-Orchard and is likely to end up in Class C-2. There will be plenty of talent, but it will be interesting to see how the athletes of the community mesh and whether or not stepping up in class size is problematic. Avery Cheatum returns after a standing season a year ago for Clearwater-Orchard and will be joined by a returning cast from Ewing that includes Tiana Thramer, Breanna Wagner, Summer Schroeder, Natalie Stallbaum and powerhouse outside hitter Ashley Koenig. </p>