Week 2 Preview: Tuesday’s Top Division I Matches

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. URSULA BULLDOGS (3-0) vs. KINGS KNIGHTS (3-0)</strong><br>These two teams have some legitimate star power that includes some of the best point scoring arms in the state. In addition to their veteran talent, both teams will need some younger and fresh faces to contribute well in order to contend for titles in their respective leagues and solidify their postseason hopes for a run at a Division I title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kings</em><br>As seniors [player_tooltip player_id='114565' first='Sydney' last='Barrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='114584' first='Elise' last='Marchal'] handle a lot of the offense for Kings, it is a pair of sophomores in lefty [player_tooltip player_id='222621' first='Ava' last='McIntyre'] on the right pin and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227799' first='Sophia' last='Richardson']</strong> that could be the x-factor if they are able to steadily contribute to help create some depth and balance. Both are capable scorers, especially McIntyre who saw significant action last fall as a freshman earning at total of 159 kills while adding 30 blocks. What also helps is that the are led by a veteran setter in senior [player_tooltip player_id='139272' first='Abby' last='Yoder']. Yoder, an Ohio State commit, has over 2,200 career assists with a legitimate shot at 3,000 at the end of her senior season given the scoring prowess that her fellow senior attackers bring to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>St. Ursula</em><br>For St. Ursula, they rely on a new setter at the helm of their offense in junior [player_tooltip player_id='152344' first='Emsley' last='Venard'] (*pictured). Venard has been patiently waiting her for her turn to lead this team, as she has been developing some quality skills as a setter for a couple of years now with high capability of leading a varsity team during that time. She has good size and touch with ability to distribute the full scope of court regarding tempo and location. She has two athletic and dynamic pin arms on her side in senior [player_tooltip player_id='114568' first='Addy' last='Brus'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='176096' first='Molly' last='Creech']. Both can elevate and swing for big pace and power. Their middle action includes a sophomore presence of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='227797' first='Gabby' last='Semona']. She has potential to provide a bigger impact alongside her teammates on the pins than what Kings has shown by comparison so far in 2023. Additionally, senior [player_tooltip player_id='114573' first='Molly' last='Dorger'] is an efficient option in the other middle spot that helps to keep the opposing defense honest in their focus. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Prediction</em><br>The edge in this match may be earned through the first-touch phase, which trends towards St. Ursula with the Frietch sisters in the back row. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='139275' first='Kaleigh' last='Frietch'], a Cincinnati commit, is a lethal server and a steady contributor with her serve receive and defense. Younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch'], a sophomore, is one of the best in her class in Ohio at the libero position. Prediction: St. Ursula wins 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>URSULINE LIONS (3-0) vs. CENTERVILLE ELKS (4-0)</strong><br>Some of the best veteran talent at Centerville takes on an Ursuline team relying on key non-seniors back from their DI state title run in 2022. Both teams lost key pieces from their respective league champion squads in 2022 but return some of the state's top talent poised to repeat that conference-level success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Centerville</em><br>The Elks feature a terrific pin tandem in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='114599' first='Reese' last='Wuebker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152117' first='Mialee' last='Dabbelt']. Wuebker is an Ohio State commit averaging 5.0 k/s for the unbeaten Elks while Dabbelt has improved the quality of her arm and point production entering this season, which has led to and early-season 3.2 k/s average. Senior setter Payton Krause is averaging 8.2 a/s and has 10 service aces on the season. Junior Payton Miller has one of the best per set averages defensively in the GWOC as she picks up 3.1 d/s. She had 210 digs in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ursuline</em><br>Ursuline features two of the best non-senior arms in the great Cincy area as juniors [player_tooltip player_id='195856' first='Lindy' last='Radaszewski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='176087' first='Katie' last='Gielas'] are both among GGCL leaders offensively. Radaszewski has seen an uptick in her production as the primary middle and arm assuming the void left following the depart of last year's GGCL Player of the Year. She is handling it like a veteran and has so far contributed 45 kills and 16 blocks in 2023. Gielas has length that creates incredible contact point and range, which has led to 39 kills this season. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482519' first='Addy' last='Franz']</strong> is seeing her first varsity action, filling the shoes of one of the state's best setters from a season ago. She has distributed 123 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Prediction</em><br>Centerville will look for some additional offensive production but fans will likely see Wuebker get a good portion of the attacking opportunities. Additionally, although Ursuline has some younger talent leading their charge, some of that talent played a significant part in their league and postseason success in 2022. They do have a fresh face in the setter role but their offense is finding a way through a tough pre-season schedule so far. Prediction: Ursuline wins 3-1<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->