Notes from Division II Regional Semifinal Action
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Sophomores Lead Gilmour Academy to Regional FinalGilmour 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…
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Continue ReadingSophomores Lead Gilmour Academy to Regional Final
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
Ella Jackson
Ella
Jackson
5'7" | S
Gilmour Academy | 2025
State
OH
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
Marlie Davis
Marlie
Davis
5'11" | OH
Gilmour Academy | 2025
State
OH
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
Kayla Channell
Kayla
Channell
6'2" | MB
Gilmour Academy | 2025
State
#114
Nation
OH
, had 13 kills while hitting at an incredible efficiency of .706 versus Liberty-Benton. She also added three total blocks. As senior
Laney Klika
Laney
Klika
5'7" | DS/L
Gilmour Academy | 2023
State
#178
Nation
OH
led the defense with 31 kills, Jackson (15), Davis (13), and fellow sophomore Brie Habeeb (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
Eloise Brandewie
Eloise
Brandewie
6'2" | MB
Bishop Hartley | 2023
State
#11
Nation
OH
. 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.
Kildow Earns 40+ Again; Union Local Advances
The offensive presence and prowess of
Torre Kildow
Torre
Kildow
6'1" | OH
Union Local | 2023
State
OH
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 Kelly Gress dished out 53 assists as Julie Broussard led the defense with 23 digs. Olivia Wortman contributed eight kills. The Jets next face New Lexington after they defeated Coschoton 3-1.
Region 8 Final Pits #2 Badin Versus #5 Roger Bacon
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,
Sarah Newberry
Sarah
Newberry
6'1" | MB
Badin | 2023
State
OH
led three Rams in double digits with 16 kills as
Luci Heid
Luci
Heid
5'11" | OH
Badin | 2025
State
OH
and Alyvia Hegemann each terminated 10 kills. For the Spartans,
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
showcased their scoring abilities as two of the best in the greater Cincinnati area. They terminated 20 and 15 kills respectively. Along with Mariya Montgomery 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.