ECC Early Season Check-In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eastern Cincinnati Conference produced a state champion in 2023 as Kings was the first public school program to win the DI crown in several years. So, let's check in on the ECC as they are a few matches into league play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams still unbeaten in league play include 3-0 Loveland, Kings, and Turpin, as Walnut Hills is the only team at 2-1. All others are 1-2 or yet to win an ECC match. Both Loveland and Kings are still unbeaten overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Attackers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227618' first='Ava' last='Long']</strong>, a junior from Lebanon, is outperforming any other hitter in the league as she has already terminated 95 total kills for a 4.3 k/s average. This includes 31 kills in their most recent match, a 3-2 win over conference foe Little Miami. At 5'9, she is athletic and has an aggressive arm. The issue for Lebanon is that they need to find offensive support as Long sees the majority of swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson's senior pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176098' first='Grace' last='Crider']</strong> is one of the top returning offensive threats in the league. She is performing at a career best rate to start the season as she leads the league in at 6.1 k/s. She had a breakthrough season in 2023 with her confidence, assertiveness with her arm, and finding a lot of offensive success as she earned 356 total kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227616' first='Josie' last='Nichols']</strong> is among the top three kills leaders as the Loveland outside hitter has 56 kills for a 4.0 k/s average. At 5'11, she is proving to be an elite attacker in this league as she has a big arm and good versatility to score from anywhere on the court. Just a junior, Nichols has time to establish herself as one of the best hitters to compete in the ECC in recent seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turpin's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227798' first='Maddie' last='Steele']</strong> has continued to hone her skills well over the past couple of seasons. The junior is already asserting herself as more of an offensive presence following the graduation of one of the ECC's best point scorers last season. At 3.3 k/s to start 2024, Steele is leading the Spartan's offense. As she shifts her role to swing more at the pins, she is finding success as she recently earned 18 kills in a tough 3-2 battle and victory over Milford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 3.5 k/s, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227799' first='Sophia' last='Richardson']</strong> has assumed the role of filling some big shoes for Kings' offense. Adding experience in a lesser role in 2023 surrounded by some of the state's best hitters, she appears ready for the increased activity. She is the most productive middle in the ECC and has a good court relationship with Kings' new floor leader that helps create good opportunities through a variety of attack points. Her efficiency is up as well as kill percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Setters and Liberos</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a very competitive club season, Loveland's<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='227619' first='Makenna' last='Kirlin']</strong> currently leads the ECC in total assists at 146 as she has surpassed the 1,000 career assists mark this early season. The Lipscomb commit has some of the best attackers in the ECC around her and much like her club experience she is contributing with some of the league's best distribution at 10.4 assists per set, which is key to Tiger's early success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 9.6 a/s, Kings' sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='608312' first='Anabelle' last='Seni']</strong> has the task of following the career of one of Ohio's top leaders in this role. Seni has the tools to help keep the Knights among the league's top teams. She can run the full scope of the offense with good tempo and location while at 5'11, her size creates advantages defensively and for her to score when she is in the front row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227624' first='Madison' last='Kyle']</strong> ended her sophomore season with nearly 450 digs. She picked up right where she left off as she is the first to eclipse triple digits in 2024 as she has 117 total digs for a 5.3 d/s average. She reads the floor well and can create range while also showing some of the best angle development that can get her to team into good offensive situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With over 730 career digs entering her junior season, Milford's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195210' first='Rachel' last='Morgan']</strong> is one the best in the greater Cincy area in this position. At 5'9, she has some great range to patrol and cover a lot of court. She is efficient and reacts well throughout point flow to keep the ball off the ground and create more opportunities for the Eagles. She is committed to Miami University of Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turpin's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403524' first='Mallory' last='Thorn']</strong> (*pictured) is one of the newest prospects making big contributions for her team early in 2024. At 3.7 digs per set, she is currently third overall among ECC liberos regarding defensive production. The 5'7 junior has continued to grow skills with improved vision and reaction, which has expanded her range and quality of her first-touch work. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->