Defending Champs get Big Wins in First Week of Action

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ursuline defeats Mason 3-2</em></strong><br>Mason put up a big fight against the defending Division I state champs from 2022. Although 0-3 on the season to start, the Comets have not been shy in terms of facing top opponents in the non-conference phase of their schedule. They opened the season with a tough 3-2 loss to Kings, followed by a 3-0 defeat to St. Ursula, who is among the favorites to win the GGCL. Versus Ursuline, last season's best team in Ohio, they lost a heartbreaker as the fifth and deciding set went overtime with Ursuline sneaking the win with a 19-17 outcome. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='339082' first='Addy' last='Bianchini'] has been the Comets' best offensive weapon as she has led them in kills in each of their matches. She had 13 kills against Ursuline to go along with 16 digs. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='139277' first='Payton' last='Evans'] also earned double figure kills with 12 to double her total output for the season. Evans also contributed offensively with a team leading 27 assists. Junior Haley Westerman contributed 23 digs.<br>For Ursuline, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494158' first='Maya' last='Brausch']</strong> was huge on the defensive side with a match high 38 digs. She is averaging six digs per set this early season. Offensively, Ursuline got it done with great balance as they were led by [player_tooltip player_id='195856' first='Lindy' last='Radaszewski']'s 14 kills and match high six blocks. She is proving herself very capable of leading this team as she is second in the GGCL in total kills and tied atop the leaderboard for total blocks to start 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='176087' first='Katie' last='Gielas'] is also top five in total kills as she added 13 kills in their most recent win. Also contributing are some relatively new arms to the Lions' arsenal. Junior <strong>Alice Finn </strong>added 11 kills while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434971' first='Jillian' last='Forrest']</strong> (*pictured) also reached double digits with 10 kills on 28 swings. Forrest is among the top 2027 talent in the greater Cincy area as she can generate some aggressive arm speed. Ursuline improved to 2-0 on the season. There next two matches will also create some challenges in the non-conference as they next face Lebanon from the ECC followed by the GWOC's top team in Centerville on Monday. Both teams feature some of the most prolific individual offensive threats in [player_tooltip player_id='114597' first='Mya' last='White'] (Lebanon) and [player_tooltip player_id='114599' first='Reese' last='Wuebker'] (Centerville). These two currently lead their respective leagues in total kills so it will be interesting to see what type of success they can generate against a very tough Ursuline defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lake Catholic over St. Joseph's Academy 3-1</em></strong><br>Lake Catholic returned the bulk of their DIII state title team from 2022 and are a heavy favorite to repeat that success this season. Led by senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='169128' first='Hannah' last='Pattie'], the Cougars should once again have one of the most diversified offensive attacks in the state. She has terrific options from pin to pin that include pins [player_tooltip player_id='169125' first='Katie' last='Sowko'] and [player_tooltip player_id='289172' first='Natalya' last='Bergant'] as well as middle [player_tooltip player_id='289187' first='Ava' last='Budrys Rini']. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='321046' first='Julia' last='Oster'] anchors the ball control and is one of the best in the greater Cleveland area. SJA has some of the Cleveland area's best talent as well. San Diego commit [player_tooltip player_id='152043' first='Belle' last='Groomes'], our top prospect in the 2025 class, has some of the best two-way skills in the state as an attacker and setter. She earned 14 kills versus the Cougars while also helping run their offense through her hands when in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Addison' last='Buckner'] is an athletic hitter as she gets big lift off the floor that helps to create high contact and movement. She totaled seven kills while also handling some of the serve reception role. Senior middles [player_tooltip player_id='232840' first='Hannah' last='Foor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='139288' first='Juliette' last='Chandler'] added 13 and six kills respectively. Their contributions going forward will be key to SJA's success if they can help balance their pin action. SJA, 1-1 on the season, has some big upcoming matches next week versus Padua Franciscan and a solid team in St. Ursula out of Toledo. For Lake Catholic, mark September 12th as they then take on perennial power Magnificat on the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->