Team Profile: St. Joseph Academy

Performing well over a tough 2023 schedule, SJA has found themselves ranked #2 overall in the most recent Ohio Division I state poll, including one first-place vote. At 17-4 overall, the Jaguars have fallen to some of Ohio's tradition-rich programs along with a 2-1 mid-season tournament loss to one of the nation's best top-10 teams out of the Chicago area in a match in which SJA took the opening frame 25-15. This past week they took a big 3-2 win over Division II #2 ranked Gilmour Academy to break the 1-1 match record against the Lancers in 2023. This is a squad that can generate momentum and success through different phases of the the game as they average 12.4 k/s per set, have earned 154 service aces collectively this season, and defend at 5.4 blocks and 41.1 digs per match. Here are a few of their key athletes.   [player_tooltip player_id='152043' first='Belle' last='Groomes'] (*pictured) The current #1 prospect in our 2025 Ohio rankings, Groomes is complete in what she brings to the court. She is athletic and highly dynamic in multiple phases of the game. The 6'1 lefty is the team leader offensively at 3.0 k/s as she can elevate and deliver with authority. She is key on the defensive side as well at 2.0 blocks and 5.4 digs per match. The other phase that she provides great leadership as a veteran and floor general is through her setting. She shares this role and currently dishes nearly five assists per set. In this her junior season, she is just ahead of 550 total kills, 625 assists, 400 digs, and 100 aces for her career. In their most recent win over Gilmour Academy, the San Diego commit had 19 kills, 17 assists, and nine digs.   [player_tooltip player_id='232840' first='Hannah' last='Foor'] At 2.3 k/s this season, Foor is putting up her best offensive numbers of her SJA career. The senior middle is terminating 52% of her attempts on a .392 efficiency. Second on the team offensively, Foor provides good physicality in the middle phase of the offense with her arm as she can develop big pace when on time and with good space. She moves well in the transition phase and laterally when defending through both pins. Defensively, she anchors their blocking success as she provides nearly two blocks per match.   [player_tooltip player_id='139288' first='Juliette' last='Chandler'] Another viable offensive option for the Jaguars, Chandler contributes nearly two kills per set to their arsenal. She creates good opportunities for herself in the transition phase as she understands well how to create the right space to be available especially when the setter is drawn off the net. The 6'0 senior opens well and has good awareness of what is in front of her to be able to swing for pace or push the ball to expose gaps in the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='199839' first='Olivia' last='Castelluccio'] The team's leader at 325 total assists on the season, Castelluccio dishes just over six assists per set. The 5'8 senior has been a critical part of the Jaguars' effort for two seasons as she is quickly approaching 800 career assists with some of her best production this season in their most recent matches. She had 27 assists in their 3-1 win over Magnificat and 26 assists versus Gilmour Academy as she helped their offense hit .299 and .275 respectively to secure these two quality wins. Castelluccio also added 18 digs over those two wins. She has improved her effectiveness through her touch and location while also being able to deliver tempo well against the flow, which can create good space for their pin arms.   Avery Anders Another senior veteran improving production and impact, Anders has earned over 250 digs on the season to lead the Jaguars' defense at over 12 digs per match. With a career best 25 digs in a match back in early September, Anders is on a five-match streak of earning double figure digs to contribute to their current win streak. With 65 digs over that span, she averaged 3.6 digs per set that helped to stifle some good offensive opponents in holding Independence and Magnificat to a .000 and .198 efficiency respectively. Anders has good court awareness and is quick and efficient in her reactions defensively to create quality opportunities for transition offense on their side. She is committed to Bowling Green State.

Performing well over a tough 2023 schedule, SJA has found themselves ranked #2 overall in the most recent Ohio Division I state poll, including one first-place vote. At 17-4 overall, the Jaguars have fallen to some of Ohio's tradition-rich programs along with a 2-1 mid-season tournament loss to one of the nation's best top-10 teams out of the Chicago area in a match in which SJA took the opening frame 25-15. This past week they took a big 3-2 win over Division II #2 ranked Gilmour Academy to break the 1-1 match record against the Lancers in 2023. This is a squad that can generate momentum and success through different phases of the the game as they average 12.4 k/s per set, have earned 154 service aces collectively this season, and defend at 5.4 blocks and 41.1 digs per match. Here are a few of their key athletes.