DIV District Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason is in full effect. With a restructuring of divisions this season this has created some new opportunities for playoff matchups and may allow new teams to emerge towards that coveted state crown. Here we take a look at <a href="https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Volleyball-Girls/2024-Girls-Volleyball/2024-OHSAA-Girls-Volleyball-Statewide-Brackets">Division IV</a> and the remaining favorites to get to the regional semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marlington (22-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Perry (19-4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The arm and offensive presence of senior [player_tooltip player_id='289168' first='Layne' last='Graffice'] has been so tough to slow down for Marlington opponents. Add the rise of sophomore pin [player_tooltip player_id='484385' first='Danica' last='Sarchione'] (*pictured), the passing and defense of [player_tooltip player_id='289169' first='Jacsyn' last='Hilliard'] as well as the 10 assists per set from junior setter <strong>Cali Young</strong> and the Dukes have great quality effort and output all around the court. For Perry, senior <strong>Madison Minor </strong>matches the output of Graffice at just over five kills per set. Minor also leads the Pirates in several categories including efficiency, total digs and service aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT 14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cortland Lakeview (21-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marengo Highland (19-4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Millbury Lake (18-6)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best offensive options in the state the past few years is at Highland in senior [player_tooltip player_id='151973' first='Kameron' last='Stover']. She will see a ton of opportunity at the pinnacle of her varsity career and will certainly give it her best effort to help advance her team as deep in the postseason as possible. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='151967' first='Larsen' last='Terrill'] supports that offense at over two kills per set and also finding her hitters good opportunities as the team leading distributor. Lakeview has a senior duo of there own that do a lot of damage in middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523896' first='Reagan' last='Price']</strong> and pin <strong>Molly Stuart</strong>, both over four kills per set. A pair of sophomores lead Lake as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763915' first='Mylah' last='Vorst']</strong> and <strong>Alayna Meadows</strong> contribute 3.0 and 2.1 k/s respectively, while senior <strong>Sydney Marchetto</strong> picks up 4.2 digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meadowbrook (23-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>London (20-3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Buckeye Valley (20-3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Warren (19-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fairfield Union (18-5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfield features one of the top-ranked seniors in our 2025 rankings in offensive power [player_tooltip player_id='289183' first='Christian' last='Thompson'] who is averaging 6.7 k/s at a .418 efficiency. She has a shot at 500 total kills for this season alone if they can get through a couple more rounds. Buckeye Valley has a nice answer of their own in one of the best in the 2026 class with the 5.0 k/s provided [player_tooltip player_id='227629' first='Alia' last='Schoonover']. For Warren, senior [player_tooltip player_id='176102' first='Madyson' last='Long'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='502120' first='Sydney' last='Starcher'] lead the Warriors at 4.5 and 3.5 k/s respectively. Junior <strong>Sam Webb</strong> is the top offensive threat for London while senior [player_tooltip player_id='289180' first='Ashley' last='Sims'] distributes 10 assists per frame. And for Meadowbrook, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718886' first='Katie' last='Stoney']</strong> is having her best season at over 300 total kills and a career best 4.1 k/s while junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772259' first='Journey' last='Nicola']</strong> earns over 17 digs per match to ignite an offense that collectively earns 12.3 kills per set. So many options to get to a victor here and it will come down to those that can execute their game plan the best in a low error manner and with good ball control and tough serving. It is guaranteed that this portion the bracket will be a battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISCTRICT 16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Archbishop McNicholas (20-4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kenton Ridge (20-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Roger Bacn (20-4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mercy McAuley (9-15)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reclassification creates a very challenging path for any team to get through this part of the bracket. Mercy McAuley is the defending DII champion from 2023 and has a record that is a bit deceiving as they play in a super tough conference. McNicholas is the DIII runner-up from last season and have a lot of pieces back. Kenton Ridge has competed extremely well while Roger Bacon has experienced pieces that can elevate them to success, that includes good postseason experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'] has been terminating for Roger Bacon her entire career and enters these next rounds at 3.4 k/s with an athletic and physical arm. For Kenton Ridge, junior <strong>Annie Fincham</strong> and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718889' first='Annie' last='Shaffer']</strong> each average over four kills per set creating a great dual threat. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'] is one of the best all-around prospects among this group and is leading a balanced McNicholas team at 2.7 k/s. For Mercy McAuley, junior [player_tooltip player_id='403525' first='Emma' last='Adkins'] has been the most stable contributor at 235 kills, 284 assists, and 218 digs. This is a toss-up given the strengths of each squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->