HS Preview: Greater Western Ohio Conference

<p>The GWOC has traditionally hosted solid team and individual talent as part of the southwest area of Ohio. This 2021 season is no different. Here are teams that should contend well for the league title along with key athletes to keep an eye on over the next several weeks of GWOC play.</p> <p><strong>League Favorites</strong></p> <p><em>Centerville Elks</em><br /> The Elks arrive at the 2021 season as a clear favorite to win the GWOC. They return a solid core from a successful 2020 campaign that saw them finish 17-3 in conference play and 19-6 overall. Leading the way is senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137147" first="Hannah" last="Golden"]</strong>. The Elks’ lone representative on the first-team all-league team in 2020, she provides quality floor leadership and command of her offense. She has a few key arms that provide size, length, and variety in their ability to score from pin to pin. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141693" first="Nicole" last="Sargent"]</strong> was a second-team all-league honoree in 2020 and may see opportunity at the right side and in the middle, exemplifying her versatility to fill multiple roles. She has good experience and provides an athletic and physical presence at the net on both sides of the ball. A key newcomer for the Elks in junior [player_tooltip player_id="153889" first="Amelia" last="Nott"] will be counted upon to score points and create balance in Centerville’s offense from the middle. The transfer will occupy a big role and her impact has already been noticed given her athleticism and ability to play above the net. She is athletic and physical and provides a key dimension to their overall effort. She entered the recent 2023 rankings update as the #10 prospect in the class. Sophomore outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152117" first="Mialee" last="Dabbelt"]</strong> stands 6’0 and continues to develop on the left side as a primary option. She will get a lot of opportunity as an outside hitter and with her increased progress this team becomes that much more dangerous. Senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137149" first="Audrey" last="Brothers"]</strong> provides the stability in the back row. She was also honored in 2020 as a second-team all-league selection as she totaled 275 digs on the season. Centerville has big potential and if they can play efficiently and find balance in their offense then they could make a good run through the GWOC and into the postseason.</p> <p><em>Springboro Panthers</em><br /> Springboro returns the GWOC’s top setter in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114472" first="Kaitlyn" last="Brown"]</strong>. She is a crafty and offensive-minded setter. In 2020 Brown distributed 810 assists on the season that put her over 1,600 assists for her career, becoming the program’s all-time assists leader. She also terminated over 100 kills earning the Panther’s only athlete selection on the first-team all-league list. This team also returns one of the top young prospects in Ohio in sophomore outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114599" first="Reese" last="Wuebker"]</strong>. As a freshman in 2020 she averaged over four kills per set while picking up 165 total digs and serving 40 aces. She is a dynamic athlete that elevates well and can bring a lot of range and heat at the top of her jump. Senior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137153" first="Logan" last="Dixon"]</strong> will be another key contributor offensively and looks to increase her production from the 2020 season. Juniors <strong>Aubrey Davis</strong> and <strong>Lauren Patrick</strong> will provide help both offensively and on the defensive side. Patrick has opened the season as the early league leader in total blocks. As an active and athletic middle she should see more opportunities to swing that should help balance this offense more. Sophomore <strong>Ella Mazurek</strong> is the primary libero for the panthers and should make a good impact alongside their other primary passers and defensive specialists. She collected 12 digs in their opening match win of 2021. This team is off to a good start as they are 2-0 with quality wins over Lakota West (3-0) and league rival Beavercreek (3-1). </p> <p><strong>Additional Key Athletes to Watch</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Ellie Belvo</strong> - 2023 | Miamisburg</li> <li><strong>Sarah Brown</strong> - 2022 | Beavercreek</li> <li><strong>Genesis Hower-Morrison</strong> - 2022 | Wayne</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114480" first="McKenzie" last="Johnson"]</strong> - 2022 | Miamisburg</li> <li><strong>Leah Jolly</strong> - 2022 | Springfield</li> <li><strong>Emma Kautz</strong> - 2023 | Northmont</li> <li><strong>Ceci Kennedy</strong> - 2022 | Beavercreek</li> <li><strong>Holly Lefevers</strong> - 2022 | Beavercreek</li> <li><strong>Lily Reidy</strong> - 2022 | Northmont</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137148" first="Iris" last="Riegel"]</strong> - 2022 | Fairmont</li> <li><strong>Samara Wilcox</strong> - 2022 | Wayne</li> <li><strong>Jaeden Yost</strong> - 2022 | Springfield</li> </ul>