Top Ranked Teams in DIII Regionals

<p>Several of the Ohio’s top-ranked DIII teams in the Ohio coaches poll will compete Thursday for their opportunity to advance in the regional playoffs. Here are some of those teams and their key athletes.</p> <p>#<strong>1 Ottawa-Glandorf</strong> (vs. Northridge)</p> <ul> <li><strong>Maddie White</strong> - OH | 2021<br /> White is the team’s offensive leader. The senior is producing 3.6 kills per set and over 12 digs per match. She creates good power as well as crafty placement of the ball. Her ability to terminate from both pins increases her versatility and opportunities. </li> <li><strong>Erin Kaufman</strong> - MH | 2022<br /> The 6’0 middle is a key factor on both sides of the ball. She is averaging over two kills per set while hitting at a .370 average. She is among team leaders in total blocks at approximately two per match. </li> </ul> <p><strong>#2 Huron </strong>(vs. Tinora)</p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114426" first="Claire" last="Solberg"]</strong> - MB | 2021<br /> Second on the team in total kills and kills per set at just over two, Solberg is hitting nearly .300 for the season. She also leads the team in blocking, making her a big threat on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. With good spacing she uses the length and range of her arm well. </li> <li><strong>Sofia Stefano</strong> - L | 2021<br /> The veteran defensive leader is averaging over 15 digs per set for a team that can make big plays in the back row. She has good length for this position as well as good vision and reaction time to make plays with range and accuracy.</li> </ul> <p><strong>#3 Independence</strong> (vs. Kirtland)</p> <ul> <li><strong>Grace Smotek</strong> - OH/RS | 2021<br /> The leading offensive threat for the Blue Devils, Smotek is averaging over three kills per set. But her presence is felt is so many facets of the game given her six-rotation role, athleticism, and competitiveness. She has a crafty arm in the air while also showing her experience in the back row to make good reads and plays on the ball</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114462" first="Abby" last="Avila"]</strong> - S | 2022<br /> Avila is the team’s floor leader and distributes over 10 assists per set. Her distribution has created good balance in their offense as three attackers are near or above 200 kills on the season while collectively hitting close to .300 as a team.</li> </ul> <p><strong>#4 Tuscarawas Valley</strong> (vs. Wheelersburg)</p> <ul> <li><strong>Arora Levengood</strong> - OH | 2021<br /> Levengood is many things to this team as she can impact the game in a lot of ways. As the top offensive threat for the Trojans she is averaging five kills per set while hitting a .343 percentage. Defensively she is collecting 16 digs per match while also leading the team in total service aces. Her skills and versatility are also showcased as half of the team’s setting tandem as she also leads in total assists on the season.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Athletes to Watch</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114392" first="Kylee" last="Barney"]</strong> - 2021 | Wheelersburg: 3.8 kills/set, .388, 77 total blocks</li> <li><strong>Journey Blevins</strong> - 2021 | North Union: 400 total kills, .432, 75 total blocks</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114471" first="Camryn" last="Carroll"]</strong> - 2022 | Adena: 16.2 digs/set</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114500" first="Brooke" last="Fatzinger"]</strong> - 2022 | Smithville: 4.6 kills/set, .406, 74 total blocks</li> <li><strong>Natalie Glowe</strong> - 2023 | Kirtland: 3.3 kills/set, 59 total aces</li> <li><strong>Lexi Wachtman</strong> - 2021 | Tinora: 3.7 kill/set, .297</li> <li><strong>Rylie Wichmann</strong> - 2021 | Cincinnati Hills Christian: 227 total kills, 10.9 digs/set</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>