Teams to See in Division II Playoffs

REGION 5 Olmsted Falls is a top-10 ranked team in DII at 16-5 overall. They are this region's top-seeded team and feature a solid collection of athletes. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='733592' first='Emily' last='Odon'] provides offense with her arm at 2.8 k/s while also sharing the distribution at over four assists per frame. She is athletic and competes with purpose, which benefits her defensive game also at nearly 12 digs per match. The offensive leader at the net is senior [player_tooltip player_id='482481' first='Hayden' last='Hess'] at 3.0 k/s. She has good versatility to score anywhere while also bringing some big heat when on time and balance in the air. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='502118' first='Maya' last='Awad'] provides stability in the middle at over two kills per set while also leading them defensively with 50 total blocks. Also setting is senior [player_tooltip player_id='448145' first='Jaelyn' last='Taylor'] who balances the distribution at just over four assists per set as well. Leading the defense from the back row is junior [player_tooltip player_id='476381' first='Addison' last='Koontz'] who has 650 digs for her varsity career that involves picking up 12.4 digs per match this season. The Bulldogs are poised for a deep run but may have to take on a North Royalton squad led by a pair of very capable point scorers in senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='152045' first='Brooke' last='Kostyack'] and junior middle Kira Geiger.   REGION 6 The premier team is this region is Avon. The Eagles are 20-2 overall and ranked #3 in the state. Led by a slew of juniors that contribute in big ways, this squad has the opportunity to establish a nice legacy of success before that corps of athletes moves on. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='401341' first='Londyn' last='Stone'] is a big point scorer at 4.4 k/s. With over 900 kills for her career, she provided a season best 23 kills in a massive 3-2 win over DI power Magnificat in their most recent match. Fellow juniors [player_tooltip player_id='728725' first='Bethany' last='Sherwood'] and Lily Hamilton each contribute over two kills per set while also leading the team in other facets. Sherwood leads defensively with 60 total blocks while Hamilton makes an impact with team bests in assists with 335 in addition to 38 aces. Look for Avon to arrive at the doorstep of the final weekend of the season where anything can happen.   REGION 7 This region may be the toughest to emerge from as there are some terrific teams set to battle through the next few rounds. With the likes of Anthony Wayne, Dublin Scioto, Clay and Northview, pick your poison regarding the strengths that each team provides. For the sake of having to pick a prospective favorite, the nod goes to Anthony Wayne, the current #1 ranked team in DII. With only one loss at the hands of DI SJA, they have won in convincing fashion as they have only dropped a handful of sets outside of that lone loss. With wins over Clay and Northview, they have yet to see Dublin Scioto as we may get that match up going forward, which has potential to be one of the biggest contests ahead of the final weekend. For the Generals, its Pike or Pike. Either one of these athletes could be considered the key factor for Anthony Wayne given what they provide at the pin and in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='227830' first='Mallory' last='Pike'] leads the team offensive at over five kills per set. She has steadily grown her impact over the course of the yearly cycle as she shows dominance at times with her arm speed and range. With 17 kills in their recent win over Avon Lake, she dissected the opposing defense well with the range of her arm. [player_tooltip player_id='403527' first='Leah' last='Pike'] adds over four kills per set while leading her team with 1.8 b/m. She can put up big offensive numbers as evidenced by back-to-back efforts of 27 kills midseason, which included a 3-1 over Magnificat. Other important features include sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='732846' first='Charley' last='Gardner'] at 3.1 k/s, senior Ryan Dzierwa at a team high 3.6 d/s, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='476378' first='Aubrey' last='Rieger'] at nearly 700 assists on the season.   REGION 8 The GGCL is represented well with two quality teams in this portion of the tournament, including St. Ursula Academy who spent the first five state polls ranked #1 before bowing to the new #1 in Anthony Wayne in the most recent rankings release. Here is a squad that has faced some incredible competition and features balance of veteran athletes in key roles and some younger supporting cast members that can get the job done well. Senior setter Emsley Vernard has matured well over the course of her prep career to become a confident and savvy distributor. She has good size and consistent touch and location that can get her attackers into great situations. The biggest arm for this team is senior [player_tooltip player_id='176096' first='Molly' last='Creech'], a pin that has been contributing big moments for this team for a couple of seasons. She elevates and brings heat while also making key contributions in the first-touch phase. Where this team shines is in their defense as Creech has provided nearly 200 digs while the Bulldogs also feature one of the best liberos in all of Ohio in junior [player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch'] (*pictured), the GGCL's defensive leader. Her presence creates a lot of opportunities and can ignite what they like to do with their offense. As Creech is the go-to they can create some good balance that includes junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='227797' first='Gabby' last='Semona'] at 2.9 k/s, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480820' first='Lola' last='Waleskowski'] at 2.1 k/s, senior [player_tooltip player_id='152055' first='Nia' last='Jones'] at 2.0 k/s, and junior Lauren Dorger at 1.8 k/s. All of these offensive threats are among the top-25 in the GGCL for total kills on the season. With conference losses to DI Seton and DIII Ursuline, they defeated fellow GGLC and Region 8 foe Mount Notre Dame twice by a 3-0 outcome to finish tied atop the league standings. SUA will take on Winton Woods next week.

REGION 5
Olmsted Falls is a top-10 ranked team in DII at 16-5 overall. They are this region's top-seeded team and feature a solid collection of athletes. Junior Emily Odon Emily Odon 5'7" | S/OH Olmsted Falls | 2026 OH provides offense with her arm at 2.8 k/s while also sharing the distribution at over four assists per frame. She is athletic and competes with purpose, which benefits her defensive game also at nearly 12 digs per match. The offensive leader at the net is senior Hayden Hess Hayden Hess 5'10" | OH Olmsted Falls | 2025 State OH at 3.0 k/s. She has good versatility to score anywhere while also bringing some big heat when on time and balance in the air. Junior Maya Awad Maya Awad 5'9" | MB Olmsted Falls | 2026 State OH provides stability in the middle at over two kills per set while also leading them defensively with 50 total blocks. Also setting is senior Jaelyn Taylor Jaelyn Taylor 5'9" | S Olmsted Falls | 2025 State OH who balances the distribution at just over four assists per set as well. Leading the defense from the back row is junior Addison Koontz Addison Koontz 5'6" | DS/L Olmsted Falls | 2026 State OH who has 650 digs for her varsity career that involves picking up 12.4 digs per match this season. The Bulldogs are poised for a deep run but may have to take on a North Royalton squad led by a pair of very capable point scorers in senior outside hitter Brooke Kostyack Brooke Kostyack 6'2" | MB North Royalton | 2025 State OH and junior middle Kira Geiger.