District Finals Outlook: Two Key Matches

<p><strong>Division IV</strong></p> <p><em><strong>New Bremen vs. New Knoxville</strong></em><br /> These two teams are ranked at the top of the Ohio Division IV poll with New Knoxville currently #1 and New Bremen currently #3. They have competed once this season with New Bremen taking the match 3-1. The top-ranked Rangers are led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114497" first="Carsyn" last="Henschen"]</strong>, certain to earn a variety of postseason accolades given her presence each match in averaging 5.5 kills per set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114504" first="Avery" last="Henschen"]</strong>, a 5’10 middle, is the next best option at 3.7 kills per set and hitting .342. Fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114495" first="Ellie" last="Gabel"]</strong> rounds out this trio of leaders as she is the floor leader and dishes 10.6 assists per set. New Bremen (24-0), 2020’s DIV state runner-up, has a much different offensive profile as they have five athletes that have earned between 120 and 210 kills on the season. Junior <strong>Kelli Schmitmeyer</strong> and senior <strong>Kaylee Freund</strong> lead the Cardinals at 2.6 kills per set as sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152118" first="Olivia" last="Heitkamp"]</strong> is close behind at 2.3, while leading the team at 2.5 blocks per match. Collectively, this team hits at a .300 clip and are guided by two setters, senior <strong>Chloe Bornhorst</strong> and freshman <strong>Melina Schrader</strong>, that work in tandem to average 11.6 assists per set. New Bremen has great depth, balance, and competitive edge and should earn another win here although the Rangers should battle well given the experience and fire power among their arms. Prediction: New Bremen wins 3-1.</p> <p><strong>Division I</strong></p> <p><em><strong>St. Ursula vs. Centerville</strong></em><br /> Both of these teams have big reason to think they can win this match. SUA has is tradition rich and battle tested while Centerville has a balanced offensive attack. This will come down to which team can execute their stuff the best in low-error fashion or, at best, disrupt their opponent from find comfortable rhythm. St. Ursula has been among DI favorites to get deep into the playoffs all season. The Bulldogs are currently ranked #2 with a 19-5 overall record having played a very challenging schedule. They have one of the best setters in the state in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114458" first="Sophia" last="Hudepohl"]</strong>, who is committed to play at Lipscomb. She averages nearly 10 assists per set. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114568" first="Addison" last="Brus"]</strong> leads them offensively at 3.3 kills per set. She gets great support from other attackers as well in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114455" first="Lauren" last="Otten"]</strong> and junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141709" first="Ivey" last="Stocks"]</strong>. They provide good offensive range across the net by position and elevate this team’s point scoring with their size and athleticism. Defensively, SUA has the edge in blocking as they earn 6.0 per match while Centerville is just shy at 5.6. The Elks though have a nice corps of arms that can do some damage at the net along with a very capable setter that can get them the ball in good locations. Their ball control will be a big factor and will dictate how well they can get both opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141693" first="Nicole" last="Sargent"]</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153889" first="Amelia" last="Nott"]</strong> involved offensively. Both are two of this team’s best options given their length and ability to create a high point of contact when swinging. The left side has options as well both in and out of system as senior <strong>Finely Coghlan</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152117" first="Mialee" last="Dabbelt"]</strong> can take heavy swings. However, the Elks will find it very challenging to win if they have to rely on these two alone due to an inability to spread their offense through the middle and overhead of setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137147" first="Hannah" last="Golden"]</strong>. The senior floor leader is averaging 10 assists per set. The GGCL is often represented beyond the district and regional levels at the state tournament weekend each year. Centerville is a viable option to take down one of Ohio’s highly ranked teams from this tradition rich conference as, by position, the Elks have good matchups across the net. Prediction: SUA wins 3-1.</p>