H.S. Preview: DIII Teams Among Favorites
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Lake Catholic CougarsThe 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 Hannah Pattie Hannah Pattie…
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Continue ReadingLake Catholic Cougars
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
Hannah Pattie
Hannah
Pattie
5'7" | S
Lake Catholic | 2024
State
OH
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
Katie Sowko
Katie
Sowko
6'0" | OH
Lake Catholic | 2024
State
OH
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
Natalya Bergant
Natalya
Bergant
6'0" | RS
Lake Catholic | 2025
State
OH
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 Claire Duricky and her 2.1 k/s, along with junior
Ava Budrys
Ava
Budrys
5'11" | MB
Lake Catholic | 2025
State
OH
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
Julia Oster
Julia
Oster
5'8" | DS/L
Lake Catholic | 2025
State
OH
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.
Summit Country Day Silver Knight
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
Elena Stone
Elena
Stone
5'10" | OH
Summit Country Day | 2025
State
OH
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
Kendall Northern
Kendall
Northern
6'1" | MB
Summit Country Day | 2026
State
OH
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.
Zari Gillispie
Zari
Gillispie
6'0" | MB
Summit Country Day | 2025
State
OH
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 Georgia Schaeffer who led the offense in distributing 630 assists last season. Senior libero Kelsey Foley 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.
Coldwater Cavaliers
Spencer Etzler
Spencer
Etzler
5'8" | OH
Coldwater | 2025
State
OH
(*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
Madison Wendel
Madison
Wendel
5'11" | OH
Coldwater | 2024
State
OH
added 2.5 k/s while also converting in an efficient manner at a team leading .322. Sophomore
Mia Knapke
Mia
Knapke
5'8" | S
Coldwater | 2026
State
OH
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
Morgan Blasingame
Morgan
Blasingame
5'11" | MB
Coldwater | 2025
State
OH
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.