Elevation 15 Teams Preview

The [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] Volleyball club in Mason continues to produce solid talent. These four teams give the area something to look forward to the next three years.   Tony   Head coach Ali Butcher said Ursuline's freshman class brings a lot of energy in the gym and three of them are teammates on this team looking to improve to help the Lions not only make it back to the state championship game, but win it this time. They are setter [player_tooltip player_id='582202' first='Kelsey' last='Green'], 6-0 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='534194' first='Willow' last='Smith'] and 5-9 freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='564942' first='Mina' last='Radaszewski']. One other Girls Greater Catholic League rival player in Mount Notre Dame 5-5 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='593854' first='Addy' last='Wolfer'] joins them hoping to make crisp first passes at defensive specialist.   Two more defensive specialists in Loveland 5-6 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='621391' first='Ella' last='George'] and Mason freshman [player_tooltip player_id='769884' first='Ella' last='Groff'] also hope to start things strong with first contacts. Madeira sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='519643' first='Evie' last='Schiller'] hopes to take big swings at outside hitter and also start things as a defensive specialist. Sycamore 5-11 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='582203' first='Sadie' last='Ellis'] hopes to help the team control the net at middle blocker with two other freshmen in Mason's 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='582229' first='Avery' last='Brannon'] and Fenwick 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id='582204' first='Mia' last='Schmitt'] trying to put balls down in the middle and right sides.   Jess   This team also has a lot of promising freshmen led by Milford 5-8 outside hitter/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='721287' first='Grace' last='Miracle']. She played a big role in helping the Eagles to a Division I district championship.   Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy freshman Anna Eldredge and Bellbrook freshman Kenley Von Handorf are the defensive specialists along with Mason freshman Taylor Nutley, who will also play outside hitter. Springboro 5-6 freshman Emma Gates and 5-9 freshman Kayla Dwyer are the setters.   Springboro freshman [player_tooltip player_id='769881' first='Arianna' last='Thornton'] gives the team size in the middle at middle blocker along with Kings freshman Mia Sanella. Freshman 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='769878' first='Emmi' last='Richter'] will hit from the middle and right side and Mason freshman Molly Cates will take swings from the outside.   Omar   Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy freshman lexi Lang starts things off here at defensive specialist with Ursuline freshman 5-5 Camila Diaz-Betancur contributing there or at outside hitter. Another Ursuline freshman in 5-10 Elise Razzano gives the team size at middle blocker.   Kings 5-4 freshman Marisa McLain or Emma Erwin will set with Erwin also playing some right side hitter. Mason freshman Leah Hugenberg will play middle blocker with Springboro freshman Sofia Blackburn and 5-6 freshman Brenna Lavin playing outside hitter. CHCA freshman 5-11 Adelynn Heaton and Beavercreek 5-7 freshman Perla Santiago will play in the middle or the right side.   Downs   Springboro head coach Alyssa Downs guides a fourth team comprised of 11 players, including Springboro 5-5 freshman setter Madison Helton.   Kiharu Kamayashi and Ruby Schray are listed as the defensive specialists along with Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy freshman Chloe Evans. Ursuline freshman Avery Weldele is listed as a middle blocker with freshmen Soniyah Stevenson and Avery Northern playing there and the pins. Loveland 5-9 freshman Karli Krohn and Kings freshman Evelyn Spaeth will play the outside or right side spots with Lakota East freshman Brooke Chasteen playing in the middle or outside. Freshman Tilly Shepherd rounds out the roster.   The four teams play in club scrimmages on Jan. 11 and 12 before heading to the Nike Classic in Columbus from Jan. 18 to 20.   Players to Watch    Ellis took the Greater Miami Conference by storm with her height and athleticism this past fall. Ellis does a great job going up and finding different ways to land balls on the other side. She can rise up and smash balls to the back row or even change things up at the last second and shove balls to open spots. Ellis has outstanding timing on her blocks then quickly readies herself with her steps on offense. Ellis had 173 kills, 113 digs and finished fifth in the GMC with 48 blocks, helping Sycamore go 13-11 and finish Division I district runner-up.     Smith looks ready to command an important position in the middle at Ursuline. She has great footwork and uses her size well to control the net. Smith has a good follow-through with her swings allowing her to place balls well. She hits a variety of shots from the middle and pins, including slide shots.     Schiller is a sound hitter from all six spots on the court for the Amazons. Schiller can hit balls hard from to the near sidelines, back row and far sidelines, including some wicked cutters. Schiller is not afraid to tip balls over blockers near the shallow lines if that part of the court opens up. Schiller also does a great job hustling on the court to make things happen out of system. Schiller has a hard line drive serve that throws opponents off and can get up to make big blocks on sound hitters. Schiller led the Cincinnati Hills League with 275 kills and finished second with 69 aces to go with 195 digs. Schiller also finished third in the league with a 2.05 passer rating on a three-point scale, helping Madeira go 17-7 on the season.     Miracle (pictured) is one of three freshman to make a big splash for the Eagles this past fall. Miracle ended up being the team's kills leader. Miracle is very strong on the go routes from the strong left side. Miracle can hit balls off blockers or send them to different spots on the court, landing balls on tough liberos. Miracle constantly finds ways to pound balls past blockers. Miracle led the Eagles with 216 kills this past season to go with 30 blocks, helping the Eagles go 15-10 with a Division I district championship.     George did a great job stepping into the libero role for Loveland this past season. George squares her arms up to balls and they carom off her to setter to start up the offense. George does a great job anticipating balls before they get to the hitters. George can dig up solid hitters. George will only become more dangerous as her other skills develop. George finished fifth in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 329 digs including an astounding 26 in Loveland's Division II region title game loss to eventual state champion St. Ursula. George added 68 assists and 38 aces, helping Loveland go 22-5 on the season and finish tied for second in ECC play at 15-3.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for nearly a year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. 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The Elevation Volleyball club in Mason continues to produce solid talent. These four teams give the area something to look forward to the next three years.