Hitters to See in Region 8 Semis
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Pin Hitters Roger Bacon has one of the best pin duos in all of Division 2 in Kelsey Niesen Kelsey Niesen 5'9" | DS/L Roger Bacon | 2024 State OH and Mariah Gaines Mariah Gaines 5'10" | OH Roger Bacon…
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Roger Bacon has one of the best pin duos in all of Division 2 in Kelsey Niesen Kelsey Niesen 5'9" | DS/L Roger Bacon | 2024 State OH and Mariah Gaines Mariah Gaines 5'10" | OH Roger Bacon | 2025 State OH . Both are just over three kills per set and balance each other well in the scope of skills, mechanics and what they bring to the position in athleticism and arm control. Niesen is knocking on the door of 900 career kills as Gaines finished second in the Miami Valley in total kills.
For Mercy McAuley, there is a corps of hitters that have been significant to their effort and success. Junior Sophia Adkins Sophia Adkins 6'0" | OH Mercy McAuley | 2024 State #71 Nation OH returned to action in their most recent match and looks to assume her role as the team’s biggest offensive threat. In her absence it was Ruby Klusman Ruby Klusman 5'9" | OH Mercy McAuley | 2024 State OH that stepped up along with increased output from Caroline Moore Caroline Moore 5'11" | RS Mercy McAuley | 2025 State OH to close the gap on that missing point production.
Badin’s offensive arsenal includes the biggest pin production coming from sophomore Luci Heid Luci Heid 5'11" | OH Badin | 2025 State OH . She has nearly equaled her total output from her freshman season a year ago with an increase per match as 2.7 k/s. She can generate big pace with ability to terminate from multiple locations. Senior Alyvia Hegemann adds 2.5 kills per set.
Kameron Stover Kameron Stover 5'9" | OH Highland | 2025 State OH is the biggest point producer of all the attackers in this region by total kills and average. The sophomore leads Highland’s offense at 5.2 kills per set as she has terminated over 430 kills on the season. The overwhelming top option for the Fighting Scots, she has nearly twice as many attempts as any other attacker on the team. She is a first-team MOAC honoree for 2022.
Middles
Mariyah Montgomery has been a bright spot for Roger Bacon all season and seemingly is getting better each time she gets on the floor. She can produce points with her arm with over two kills per set but also takes up good space as a defender with over 70 blocks on the season.
Sophmore Ashley Sess Ashley Sess 6'2" | MB Mercy McAuley | 2025 State OH has been a consistent factor for Mercy McAuley in the middle throughout the postseason as she has been above her overall season average of 2.2 kills per set in recent matches. She has terminated 26 kills in the postseason for an increased average of 3.25 k/s while hitting at an impressive .513 efficiency.
Sarah Newberry Sarah Newberry 6'1" | MB Badin | 2023 State OH is arguably the best middle in this region with great experience and a full skill set to big impactful and impressive on both sides of the ball. She leads Badin’s offense at 2.8 kills per set with good elevation and big contact through quick tempos. On the defensive side, she has good movement and mechanics to deliver 2.6 blocks per match.