A Look at DIII Region 9 Playoff Favorites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTHEAST 3</strong><br>With the semifinal round is upcoming in Northeast 3 action, this part of the bracket may be a toss up regarding the comparability of the teams still alive. Highland is 19-4 overall and has a trio of point scorers that create good balance. Leading the way is junior <strong>Kamryn Heldreth</strong> at 2.9 k/s. She has improved her impact across the board including jumping to .395 efficiency as the 5'11 middle is terminating at 51%. Senior <strong>Emily Stanik</strong> and junior <strong>Lily Vojtiko</strong> contribute 2.5 and 2.6 k/s respectively. Copley is 17-6 overall and features the team leading offense of <strong>Kalynn Stoner</strong> at 3.3 k/s, an attacker that requires a lot of attention from the defense as she has shown she can terminate from anywhere on the floor. Willoughby South is 19-4 overall and are led by the duo of <strong>Maddie Luciano</strong> and Maisie<strong> Nawrocki</strong>. At 4.4 and 3.9 k/s respectively they complement each other well as they have effectively provided well over half of this team's offense. Luciano is also great on the defensive side leading her team with 256 total digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTHEAST 2</strong><br>Archbishop Hoban is the DIII #1 ranked team in the most recent OHSVCA poll, assuming that position in the latter part of the regular season. They are a big favorite to contend going forward for the state title as they have played through a competitive schedule and are unbeaten after facing some high quality teams. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445130' first='Amber' last='Watson']</strong> has been a big factor for Hoban for a couple of seasons and has elevated her play and impact in 2024 at an increased 4.7 k/s and .328 efficiency, impressive given have they have handled the big challenge of the high level of opponents they have seen at times. In a 3-2 over DI power SJA, Watson had 19 kills, which followed 14 kills and .346 clip in the previous 3-0 win over Magnificat. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512533' first='Madison' last='Mintz']</strong> is the primary setter and has earned nearly 650 assists in guiding this offense. Recently surpassing the 1,000 assists mark for her career, she averages just ahead of 10 a/s. Junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512531' first='Macie' last='Mintz']</strong> leads the team defensively as she has averaged 17 digs per match over these most recent two seasons. With quality contributions in key roles, the Knights have a great opportunity ahead of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTHEAST 4</strong><br>The Bay Rockets are 20-2 overall and went unbeaten in league play and find themselves ranked #18 in the recent DIII state poll. The top seed in this portion of the bracket, they are led by a dynamite junior in <strong>Olivia Miller</strong> who provides a team leading 4.8 k/s. The 5'10 has earned over half of her career kills this season alone through an aggressive arm that is utilized all around the court. She also provides over 12 digs per match. Her impact is big, which has been showcased each match, including a mid-season effort that involved 21 kills and 24 digs in a 3-2 win over Normandy. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='603159' first='Payton' last='Masterson']</strong> leads the Rockets defensively as she has picked up nearly 400 digs for an average of 18.6 d/m. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTHEAST 5</strong><br>This region garners a lot of attention because of the depth and strength of teams that also includes Gilmour Academy, one riddled with next-level Division I talent. The state's top DIII ranked team until Hoban assumed that position two polls ago, this is a program rich in tradition and talent and will definitely contend with big effort and plays until the end. At 18-4 overall, they have not been shy in their scheduling as they have faced some of the biggest and best teams across the state and among all divisions. This could give them an advantage in the biggest moments going forward. Their depth of experience is seen in senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='151988' first='Ella' last='Jackson'] (*pictured) who has a shot at 3,000 career assists over the coming matches. [player_tooltip player_id='152050' first='Aubrey' last='Anders'] is one of the best point scorers in production as well as in her fundamental execution as an attacker. She leads the Lancers at 4.7 k/s. Fellow pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='152066' first='Marlie' last='Davis'] is just behind her at 3.7 k/s while middle [player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell'] provides 3.1 k/s. It becomes a pick-your-poison situation for defenses in how they craft their game plan towards limiting any part of the Lancers' offense. Jackson is so savvy and experienced to be able to get many pieces active and in good situations that it increases the difficulty in slowing them down. Non-seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='227796' first='D'Aira' last='Whitner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='480840' first='Kyla' last='Williams'] provide the best type of support for these more veteran options as they are athletic high-potential prospects. And if the Lancers' offense wasn't a huge asset, their defense is equally impressive as they apply a lot of pressure at the net that fuels their action behind the block. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='446608' first='Brie' last='Habeeb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401366' first='Mi-Na' last='Diggs'] collect 18.7 and 11.1 digs per match with great vision and court coverage, while getting a lot of support defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could Region 9 produce the victor in this first season of expanded and reconfigured classification? They definitely have a shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->