H.S. Preview: DIII Teams Among Favorites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lake Catholic Cougars</em></strong><br>The defending champions should be a heavy favorite to repeat in 2023. They finished 27-2 overall last season with impressive numbers including team averages of 14.0 k/s and a .331 efficiency collectively. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='169128' first='Hannah' last='Pattie'] is the backbone of this team. The Campbell commit has over 2,300 career assists with a career high 1,014 last fall for a 11.5 a/s average. She is a huge reason for their offensive success as she earned a 1st team all-Ohio selection. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='169125' first='Katie' last='Sowko'] is also back to provide a lot of point scoring. The 2nd team all-Ohio selection was prolific with her arm at 4.1 k/s and a total of 355 kills on the season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='289172' first='Natalya' last='Bergant'] was second on the team offensively at 2.7 k/s. The 6'0 lefty offers a big presence on the right side as she has also earned 109 total blocks over her first two varsity seasons heading into 2023. Returning offense includes senior<strong> Claire</strong> <strong>Duricky</strong> and her 2.1 k/s, along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='289187' first='Ava' last='Budrys Rini'] who added 2.1 k/s while finishing second on the team with 58 total blocks. Due to graduation, the key departure from 2022 is at the libero role. However, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321046' first='Julia' last='Oster']</strong> is likely to assume that opportunity following her 6.7 d/m in 2022. The Cougars open their regular season versus a very good SJA team and will face some other powerhouse schools throughout the season in Gilmour Academy, Magnificat, and the 2022 DII state champs in NDCL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Summit Country Day Silver Knight</em></strong><br>Following a 21-7 effort in 2022, the Silver Knights are poised to improve upon their regional finals appearance this fall. They return the majority of their roster, including some offensive pieces that have improved the quality of their skills very well over the recent club season. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445100' first='Elena' last='Stone']</strong> is 5'10 and the top returning offensive threat as she averaged 2.9 k/s last fall. She has good six-rotation skills as she also added 5.6 d/m to combine with the arm control she has at the net. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='403522' first='Kendall' last='Northern'] is one we are excited to see during the high school season following the high impact club effort she recently completed. She is very athletic with big lift and pace when attacking. She was second on the team last fall at 2.4 k/s while hitting with a .321 efficiency. [player_tooltip player_id='207166' first='Zari' last='Gillispie'] should increase her impact on the offensive side to better match her team leading defensive effort blocking. She is another prospect with great athleticism, including quickness and elevation that benefits her play at the net on both sides of the ball. She averaged 2.1 k/s at a team high .366 efficiency. The floor leader is <strong>Georgia Schaeffer</strong> who led the offense in distributing 630 assists last season. Senior libero <strong>Kelsey Foley</strong> is also back following a great season in 2022 at 14.8 digs per match. The Silver Knights open their regular season versus Williamsburg on 8/19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Coldwater Cavaliers</em></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='289170' first='Spencer' last='Etzler'] (*pictured) had one of the most complete statistical seasons in 2022 and returns to help guide the Cavaliers following their 25-5 overall record and state-runner up finish last fall. Etzler, a 2nd team all-Ohio selection, is the top returning offensive threat as she earned 2.9 k/s last year through a .303 efficiency. She also contributed team highs in digs at 4.9 d/s and in total service aces with 77. With 243 total kills last season, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494151' first='Madison' last='Wendel']</strong> added 2.5 k/s while also converting in an efficient manner at a team leading .322. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='227816' first='Mia' last='Knapke'] was the team's leader in total assists as she shared the setting role, distributing 595 total assists. Coldwater will look to add some additional offense following the graduation of the top point scorer while also looking to fill some shoes defensively after their top blocking threat finished her career in 2022 as well. Look for 5'10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='289171' first='Morgan' last='Blasingame'] to increase her output offensively as she terminated 200 kills a season ago. She also had 54 aces and picked up 6.4 d/s. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->