Top DI Public School Teams Heading to Postseason

<p>As we consistently hear a lot about the many high performing private schools around Ohio, there are several public schools that have been consistently impressive throughout the season, including one that tops the current state poll in Division I with the postseason now upon us. Here are three DI public schools that could make a deep run towards the state tournament weekend.</p> <p><strong>Oletangy Liberty</strong><br /> The Patriots end the regular season at 21-1 and as the top-ranked team in the current Division I state poll. They completed their conference season at 10-0, including two hard fought 3-2 wins over league foe Orange who is the current #7 ranked team. This team has good offensive balance as there are five members that have earned 125 kills or more on the season, each averaging near or more than two kills per set. As a team, they average 12.6 kills per set and are hitting a collective .250. Leading the way is 5’9 senior outside hitter <strong>McKenna Cook</strong>. She is averaging 3.1 kills per set and has had multiple matches at 20 kills or more. She has also earned 20 digs or more on multiple occasions. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141717" first="Claire" last="Mrukowski"]</strong> is averaging 2.4 kills per set and is one of the more efficient attackers for this team hitting .314 on the season. Fellow junior <strong>Nicole Russell</strong> has been a consistent contributor as well on both sides of the ball as she terminates on average 2.3 kills per set. The 5’10 middle also provides 2.4 blocks per match. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137123" first="Michelle" last="Ezenekwe"]</strong> provides nearly two kills per set while leading the team in both attack efficiency at .357 and defensively with 3.4 blocks per match. Leading this offense is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141692" first="Gabi" last="Moulton"]</strong> at nearly 10 assists per set.</p> <p><strong>Oletangy Orange</strong><br /> At 16-6 overall and ranked #7 in the current Division I state poll, this team has had some quality wins over the past several weeks including over higher ranked opponents in St. Joseph and Magnificat. They have also earned two wins over a good #18 ranked team in Dublin Coffman. They rely a lot on outside hitter <strong>Molly Shomock</strong>, an Eastern Kentucky commit. The 5’10 senior has been a key piece for this program for three seasons now and has been having her most productive year in her final campaign as she averages a team leading 3.8 kills per set. She is a smart attacker as she uses her elevation well in combination with good vision and arm control. The other key offensive element is senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137142" first="Olivia" last="McAtee"]</strong>. At 5’11, the right side hitter contributes 2.2 kills per set while also leading the team in blocking. <strong>Makenzie Moll</strong>, a 5’4 libero, is a big-time factor defensively as she collects on average nearly 19 digs per match. She has more than doubled her production over last season, which includes eight matches over 20 digs, three of those at 30-plus total digs. Her season high is 38 digs in a tough five set lost to Liberty.</p> <p><strong>Perrysburg</strong><br /> The champion of the Northern Lakes Conference, the Yellow Jackets swept the league, finishing 14-0 and enter the postseason at 21-1 overall and ranked #9 in the current Division I state poll. They have great pieces in place including a dynamic 1-2 punch offensively with some great ball control and defense around them as well. Senior <strong>Julia Beer</strong> is the offensive leader at over four kills per set while hitting an impressive .354 as a left side attacker. The 5’9 outside hitter has a big arm and can terminate with power as well as good touch and finesse. She is complemented well by 5’10 outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141688" first="Sara" last="Pahl"]</strong> who is terminating 3.4 kills per set and hitting .333. The junior has an equally big arm as she has reached double figure kills in 13 of their matches thus far. She also contributes well attacking at both pins and with her defense in the back row. Junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141686" first="Avery" last="Adamski"]</strong> leads them defensively at nearly 17 digs per match while junior setter <strong>Giana Frayer</strong> is the floor leader and averaging 9.6 assists per set. Their offense is terminating 12.5 kills per set while hitting. 281 as a team.</p>