H.S. Preview: Three DI Teams that Should Contend Well
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Ursuline LionsThe defending DI champions graduated their GGLC Player of the Year and 1st team all Ohio selection from a season ago but return a core group of young talent that is very capable of filling those shoes by committee.…
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The defending DI champions graduated their GGLC Player of the Year and 1st team all Ohio selection from a season ago but return a core group of young talent that is very capable of filling those shoes by committee. Junior outside hitter
Katie Gielas
Katie
Gielas
6'2" | OH
Ursuline | 2025
State
#120
Nation
OH
was a 2nd team GGCL selection from 2022 as she finished #4 overall in the league offensively with 249 total kills. She has length at 6’3, big contact point, and a lot of pace and should see an increased work load. She has six rotations skills also, which means her opportunities out of the back row could also be a big factor. Junior
Lindy Radaszewski
Lindy
Radaszewski
6'0" | MB
Ursuline | 2025
State
OH
is another key returner and brings with her some big gains from the club season. At 6’0, she is a versatile and physical middle touching over 10′ and providing a heavy arm. She can score through quick options in the middle as well as at the pin if needed, which can make her tough to track and defend. She is also a big factor defensively as she finished top-five in the GGCL in total blocks. Replacing their league leading libero will also be a challenge but senior
Maya Brausch
Maya
Brausch
5'3" | DS/L
Ursuline | 2024
State
OH
may be the answer as she finished top-10 in total digs while averaging over three digs per set last season. Senior
Julia McWaters
Julia
McWaters
5'10" | S
Ursuline Academy | 2024
State
OH
will likely assume the setting role after the graduation of another 1st team all-Ohio selection. She has good size at 5’10 and is coming of a solid effort with her OPVC team during the recent club season.
Ella Grimes
Ella
Grimes
5'8" | DS/L
Ursuline | 2026
State
OH
is another athlete to watch as she likely may be the third primary pillar to their offense as the sophomore had 172 total kills last season with a 2.0 k/s average. She led them in 2022 at 3.6 k/s.
Magnificat Blue Streaks
The 2022 DI runner-up returns a slew of key contributors and may be the frontrunner to win the state title to start the season. The biggest change will be at the setting position following the graduation of their talented 1st team all-Ohio floor leader. This program always has young prospects ready to step in and we are anticipating learning who will get the nod to lead this offense that has some big point scoring potential once again.
Julia Sprecher
Julia
Sprecher
5'10" | OH
Magnificat | 2024
State
OH
brings athleticism and a big arm with the ability to ignite her team at the net and out of the back row.
Mary Flanagan
Mary
Flanagan
6'0" | RS
Magnificat | 2024
State
OH
contributed 3.0 k/s and is also back to help create great balance with Sprecher with her big left arm on the right side of the court. Just a freshman last season,
Sydney Borowy
Sydney
Borowy
6'0" | OH
Magnificat | 2026
State
OH
provided some key moments as she finished the season at 2.2 k/s. Middle
Emily Ragon
Emily
Ragon
5'11" | MB
Magnificat | 2024
State
OH
was a big part of AVC’s run at the 17U level over the club season and will be back for her senior season with good scoring range in the quicker options on the interior of the net. Her primary counterpart in the middle will likely be senior
Sarah Karabatsos
Sarah
Karabatsos
5'11" | MB
Magnificat | 2024
State
OH
(*pictured). She is a key defensive threat at the net as she had 40 total blocks in 44 sets last season while averaging 1.7 k/s. Sophomore
Kailey Snow
Kailey
Snow
5'8" | DS/L
Magnificat | 2026
State
OH
returns at the libero position and brings length and range along with quality first touch action in serve receive and defensively that gets their offense moving.
Kings Knights
Featuring some of our top prospects in the 2024 class, Kings was the ECC champion last year and should be the frontrunner to win the league once again. Leading the way are two of the state’s best point scorers in seniors
Elise Marchal
Elise
Marchal
6'0" | MB
Kings | 2024
State
#118
Nation
OH
and
Sydney Barrett
Sydney
Barrett
6'0" | OH
Kings | 2024
State
#119
Nation
OH
. Marchal is a versatile attacker with the ability to score anywhere across the net and through any tempo. She has a big arm and was the best offensive threat that saw the most opportunities for club team throughout a very competitive national-level schedule. Barrett has a complete skill set as a six rotation outside hitter with some of the best arm control and range from either side of the court. She gained a lot of experience at the opposite position for one of the nation’s best 17U teams where she scored well with her arm as well as in establishing a big blocking presence at the net. She also contributes in the first-contact areas as well as with great movement and pressure from the service line. She led the ECC in service aces last season.
Abby Yoder
Abby
Yoder
5'10" | S
Kings | 2024
State
#101
Nation
OH
returns for her final season as the floor leader as she led the ECC in 2022 with over 1,000 total assists. Not surprising given the point scoring prowess of her two biggest targets as Marchal and Barrett went 1-2 offensively to lead the league respectively.
Dakota Henry
Dakota
Henry
5'5" | DS/L
Kings | 2024
State
OH
, the ECC’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is a solid prospect at the libero position as she contributed over 300 digs a season ago while also anchoring their serve receive. A freshman last season,
Ava McIntyre
Ava
McIntyre
5'10" | RS
Kings | 2026
State
OH
provided good offense on the right side with 1.9 k/s. She has grown her skill set and impact over the recent club season and should increase her effectiveness for the Knights. Barrett was the league’s Player of the Year last season as she, Marchal, Yoder, and Henry all were 1st team all-conference selections.