High School Season Begins Soon

<p>The beginning of August marks the start of official training for the 2021 Ohio high school season. First matches are set to take place around August 20th. Here is a look at five key athletes:</p> <p><strong>Taylor Ullrich</strong> - MH | Dayton Christian | 2022<br /> Ullrich has good athleticism in the middle as she has quickness and elevation that makes her difficult to defend. She can score in front and behind the setter with good effectiveness and should be a critical factor for Dayton Christian again this fall. Last season she averaged 3.2 kills per set while hitting at a .333 efficiency. While also earning 1.7 blocks per match last season she earned herself a 1st team all-league selection in the Metro Buckeye Conference.</p> <p><strong>Keegan Trainor</strong> - MH | Magnificat | 2022<br /> Trainor played a significant amount of sets for Magnificat a season ago and should do so once again this season. Although not their first offensive option, she should see an uptick in her use this coming season. She had a good club season for CVC and showed her effectiveness on the right side as she can swing aggressively off of one foot overhead of the setter. She averaged 1.1 kills per set last season but was second on the team with 2.1 blocks per match. </p> <p><strong>Leah Jolly</strong> - MH | Springfield | 2022<br /> Jolly is the top returning offensive threat for the Wildcats in 2021. She averaged over two kills per set in earning 2nd team all-league honors in the Greater Western Ohio Conference. Her biggest contributions though may have come on the defensive side as she averaged nearly four blocks per match. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114523" first="Ella" last="Durham"]</strong> - OH | Dublin Coffman | 2023<br /> Durham is currently the #26 ranked prospect in this Ohio class and had has a ton of length as a pin attacker. She had a terrific club season and brings added competitive maturity and experience to match her increased impact physically and with her skills. She was a huge impact for the Shamrocks a season ago with over five kills per match and should certainly pick up where she left off as the 2021 season begins.</p> <p><strong>Olivia Heitkamp</strong> - MH/RS | New Bremen | 2024<br /> Poised to contribute much more during her sophomore season in 2021, Heitkamp has athleticism and versatility to be able to contribute from multiple positions at the net. At 6'0, she brings added size and increased skill to help the Cardinals this fall as they look to repeat their stellar campaign in 2020 that saw them earn a runner-up finish at the state tournament in Division IV. As a freshman, Heitkamp averaged one kill per set while leading her team with 2.9 blocks per match. </p>