Two Matches to See This Week

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Badin vs. McNicholas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two GCL teams have lofty expectations for 2024 and rightfully so given the experience they bring back. Certain to be among teams vying for a league title, they have not been shy in terms of their non-league scheduling, which has led to some early losses. Both teams have played Kentucky powerhouse Notre Dame Academy, each taking them to extra sets before dropping a tough but competitive outcome. Badin and McNick match up well with each other, each with pin point scoring and good presence in the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of DI commits lead Badin. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='176097' first='Luci' last='Heid'] (*pictured), committed to Northern Kentucky, has been imposing her arm on opponents as she is averaging a league best 4.4 k/s on a terrific efficiency of .330. Wright State commit [player_tooltip player_id='151959' first='Olivia' last='Schmidt'] is one of the best physical threats in the middle in the GCL and she starts the season at 2.5 k/s. Junior <strong>Elyse Weinheimer</strong> is currently leading the GCL in assists per set at just over seven per frame. <br><br>For McNick, their balanced offensive attack is led by sophomore pin [player_tooltip player_id='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'] on the outside. Among one of the best attackers in the 2027 class, she leads a corps of hitters that have earned between 14 and 21 kills so far this season. Stacey is supported by middle [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'], also leading the league in blocking, senior [player_tooltip player_id='152345' first='Lucy' last='Perkins'], and junior pin [player_tooltip player_id='548602' first='Sarah' last='Hutchinson']. Sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'] is the primary distributor and currently among league leaders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Archbishop McNicholas 3, Badin 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Olmsted Falls vs. Avon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4-1 Bulldogs from Olmsted Falls are led by a very productive pin tandem. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='482481' first='Hayden' last='Hess'] leads the team at 3.6 k/s while her counterpart in junior [player_tooltip player_id='733592' first='Emily' last='Odon'] is close behind at 3.1 k/s. The in-system tempo they run offensively can create good space for them to swing and both can take care of the ball when in rhythm and on time. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='502118' first='Maya' last='Awad'] is a third option and as she gets involved in the middle this benefits their pins well. As Odon leads the team defensively at over 13 digs per match, junior libero Addison Koontzalso picks up double-digit digs at 12 per contest. The ball control and defense is key to their offense and these two help initiate that phase well for their setter duo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Avon Eagles are 3-0 to start the season, including winning their first two conference matches. Junior pin [player_tooltip player_id='401341' first='Londyn' last='Stone'] is one of the best arms in the Ohio 2026 class and she leads Avon currently at 4.3 k/s. The impact of her offense is impressive considering her efficiency is over .500 as a primary pin hitter. Fellow juniors <strong>Lily Hamilton</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='728725' first='<strong>Bethany</strong>' last='<strong>Sherwood</strong>']average 2.6 and 2.4 k/s respectively and help balance the court with Londyn to provide presence across the net throughout their rotation. Sherwood is off to a hot start as she is terminating through a .654 efficiency. Senior libero <strong>Thea Beran</strong> recently surpassed 600 digs for her varsity career and currently leads Avon at 11.5 digs per match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Avon 3, Olmsted Falls 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->