Notes from Division II Regional Semifinal Action

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sophomores Lead Gilmour Academy to Regional Final</em></strong><br>Gilmour Academy, ranked #5 in the most recent Ohio Division II state poll, won a thriller versus #11 ranked Liberty-Benton to advance to the Region 7 finals. Last year's state champs lost some significant pieces to their roster but have filled those gaps well with young talent that has emerged as key aspects to their effort. Their talented group of sophomores helped carry the team to their most recent win as setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='151988' first='Ella' last='Jackson']</strong> distributed a balanced offense and earned 41 assists in the match. Jackson has veteran experience though having been a significant part of the last season's title team. In just two seasons of varsity play, she has nearly 1,600 career assists. Offensively, 2025 pin hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152066' first='Marlie' last='Davis']</strong> led her team with 16 total kills. In her first varsity season, Davis has grown her impact as her numbers took a big jump midseason. Now the team's leading offensive threat, she had 37 kills and hit at a .446 efficiency in their most recent three postseason matches. Another sophomore, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell']</strong>, had 13 kills while hitting at an incredible efficiency of .706 versus Liberty-Benton. She also added three total blocks. As senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='114535' first='Laney' last='Klika']</strong> led the defense with 31 kills, Jackson (15), Davis (13), and fellow sophomore <strong>Brie Habeeb</strong> (12) also earned double-digit digs. The Lancers advance to take on top-ranked Bishop Hartley and one of the elite prospects of the senior class in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114513' first='Eloise' last='Brandewie']</strong>. The Ohio State commit is averaging 4.0 kills per set while hitting at a .554 efficiency. On the defensive side, she is approaching 100 total blocks on the season. Bishop Hartley advanced with a 3-1 win over Vermilion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Kildow Earns 40+ Again; Union Local Advances</em></strong><br>The offensive presence and prowess of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='169492' first='Torre' last='Kildow']</strong> has been highlighted before but cannot go unmentioned this week, especially when the 40+ mark is eclipsed and then again, and again in one season. Averaging 7.4 kills per set, Kildow put down 41 kills as Union Local took care of business in beating Sheridan 3-1 to advance to the Region 6 finals. After dropping set one, the Jets reversed the momentum and claimed the next three sets, steadily increasing the margin of victory with each remaining set. Setter <strong>Kelly Gress</strong> dished out 53 assists as <strong>Julie Broussard</strong> led the defense with 23 digs. <strong>Olivia Wortman</strong> contributed eight kills. The Jets next face New Lexington after they defeated Coschoton 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Region 8 Final Pits #2 Badin Versus #5 Roger Bacon</em></strong><br>For those following Region 8 teams this season, this is a matchup many anticipated and wanted in the postseason. These two teams have been taking care of business all season with one non-conference opportunity to square off against each other in mid-October. That match went the five-set distance and was a display of each team's strengths going to work. Badin opened up the match winning the first two sets only to see Roger Bacon rebound and force the decisive frame. Badin claimed the win with a 15-10 final set victory. In that match, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141723' first='Sarah' last='Newberry']</strong> led three Rams in double digits with 16 kills as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176097' first='Luci' last='Heid']</strong> and <strong>Alyvia Hegemann</strong> each terminated 10 kills. For the Spartans, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114590' first='Kelsey' last='Niesen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines']</strong> showcased their scoring abilities as two of the best in the greater Cincinnati area. They terminated 20 and 15 kills respectively. Along with <strong>Mariya Montgomery</strong> in the middle the Spartans matchup well with the Rams. The outcome of this match is a tossup but should undoubtedly be extremely competitive, high energy, and very entertaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->