Ohio's Top 18U Teams Ahead of the Club Season

The holidays are winding down and the club volleyball season is upon us. Coming off an exciting high school season that crowned seven state champions as a result of the divisional restructuring, it is an exciting time for the game, for Ohio, and for prospects to shine individually and with their teams over the next several months. Here are some of the top 18U teams across the state, most of which will play an abbreviated season with the USAV GJNC for this age group taking place at the end of April in Salt Lake City. These teams have depth with most prospects having identified their next-level home.   TOP CONTENDERS   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/06/28-Kayla-Channell-crop-4800x3152-1701372207-crop-640x420-1735590562-crop-512x336-1735590784.jpg?w=511" alt="" class="wp-image-737858" style="width:239px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell']</figcaption></figure>   AVC 18 Red With one of the most loaded rosters at any age group in Ohio and headed to some of the NCAA's best programs next year, this is a team that should contend well for an open-level bid. North Carolina commit Sienna Cozza, from PA, is a solid setter option with great footwork and quickness to pursue the ball. She will assume some of the floor leadership for this team this club season. [player_tooltip player_id='151988' first='Ella' last='Jackson'] will also set as she has had one of the best high school careers as a setter for Gilmour Academy with over 3,000 total assists for a program that competed with the best teams across all divisions. This setting duo could allow this team to run a well formed 6-2 offense with huge point scoring threats across the net each rotation. Regarding attackers, let's start with Emma Parks, another prospect from PA that crosses state lines to help lead this team. At 6'2, she combines with 6'1 [player_tooltip player_id='152050' first='Aubrey' last='Anders'] and 5'11 uncommitted [player_tooltip player_id='289167' first='Madison' last='Miner'] to provide noteworthy offensive tools. This trio is dangerous when they get space through this team's tempo. [player_tooltip player_id='218156' first='Chloe' last='Smith'] is one of the most athletic attackers as she can get up as her sheer athleticism complements these other three hitters very well. [player_tooltip player_id='289172' first='Natalya' last='Bergant'] is a lefty and provides a unique option for this team on the right side, along with high competitive experience at the high school level with Lake Catholic. In the middle are [player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell'], [player_tooltip player_id='501655' first='B'Lise' last='Bradley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='185348' first='Ava' last='Carney']. Not much is lost on either side of the ball when considering which pair gets to compete at a given time. Ranging from 6'2 to 6'5 in height, their presence alone makes a physical impact. Bradley, at 6'5, may be the most raw among the three with less competitive experience coming off the high school season, but the James Madison commit has made big gains since arriving on the radar last year and will certainly make an impact with the strength of this roster around her. A signature of this club is their ball control and defense and they feature a group that is dynamic, athletic and can create great opportunities in Lex Stutzman, [player_tooltip player_id='401366' first='Mi-Na' last='Diggs'], and [player_tooltip player_id='573314' first='Hallie' last='Hendrickx']. Their skills can spell some of the hitters allowing rest and for all to shine at what they do best   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/TildenGrace-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-737862" style="width:230px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'] & [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace']</figcaption></figure>   NKYVC 18 Tsunami This is a group that faced some adversity last season due to injury but battled through their tough schedule given the versatility of some of their athletes. With a healthy squad made up of some of the best prospects from both the Cincy area and northern Kentucky, they should be in the mix for an open-level bid to the GJNC. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='152344' first='Emsley' last='Venard'] led SUA to a DII state title and is playing some of her most confident and skilled volleyball of her prep career. She has matured in her decision making while benefitting from training and competing for elite high school and club programs. She welcomes back the full-time availability in the pin duo of [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='159327' first='Riley' last='McCloskey'], both staples for this team over the past few seasons but each enduring their own injury last year. They are high school teammates for KY juggernaut Notre Dame Academy and are certain to unleash their point scoring on the club season after their respective time away last cycle. [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'] is another NDA product and filled in well last year in whatever role they needed from her. She is athletic and brings some of the best competitive energy. [player_tooltip player_id='159378' first='Corrine' last='Blackburn'] has steadily established herself as an impact middle as she brings the most length and her advanced skills on both sides of the ball. She pairs with returning middle Sophia Loomis to form a tandem that can score as well as defend well at the net. This group's defense and ball control can be stellar as anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'], another NDA product with great read and react skills. [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'] has become a great contributor as well in the first-touch phase that when combined with their primary pins, this heavy NDA impact can get them in-system often. Both [player_tooltip player_id='210638' first='Maya' last='Kondik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='159391' first='Azaria' last='Sweet'] provide depth for a squad with high aspirations that will begin in Indy at the Early Bird Shootout mid-January.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/DSC05410-e1724718452931.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-515214" style="width:228px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='176097' first='Luci' last='Heid']</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 18 Blue This squad is solid at every position. All but one member of this team competed for a great high school program in the Girls Greater Catholic League, one of the best in the state, with all of them making great contributions to their respective postseason runs, which included two state champions in Seton (DI) and St. Ursula (DII), and a DIII runner-up in Ursuline. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='482519' first='Addy' last='Franz'] joined this club and core group last year and then led the Ursuline offense this most recent high school season. She has some great offensive options in all directions and phases, most notably at the pins in high flyers [player_tooltip player_id='176096' first='Molly' last='Creech'] and [player_tooltip player_id='176097' first='Luci' last='Heid'], and with lefty [player_tooltip player_id='152058' first='Caroline' last='Moore'] holding down the opposite role. In the middle are [player_tooltip player_id='152053' first='Ashley' last='Sess'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152055' first='Nia' last='Jones']. Sess, who helped Mercy McAuley win the DII state title in 2023, has the best length at 6'3 and anchors their net defense. She had seven blocks in that title match last year and averaged 3.8. b/m on 99 total blocks on the season. One of the most important assets to this team is their passing and defense, which is led by UCLA-bound [player_tooltip player_id='152052' first='Sakura' last='Codling'], a top-five ranked prospect in the 2025 Ohio class. Add Toledo commit [player_tooltip player_id='152060' first='Sydney' last='Crowley'] and their six-rotation pins to this part of their effort and they should be solid. [player_tooltip player_id='152054' first='Daisy' last='Cluxton'] can contribute well with her passing and arm as well. The collection of talent on this team is very good. The one concern is that with only nine athletes on the roster, it limits their depth. However, if they stay healthy they will pressure every opponent they face starting with the MEPL #1 event the first weekend of January.   OTHER TEAMS & PROSPECTS TO SEE   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Black Swamp 181 - [player_tooltip player_id='176084' first='Lyndi' last='Wolf'], [player_tooltip player_id='289179' first='Payton' last='Vackert'], [player_tooltip player_id='289176' first='Parker' last='Vackert'], [player_tooltip player_id='523900' first='Lilly' last='Mullholand']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 18 Toth - [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'], [player_tooltip player_id='151958' first='Allie' last='Barrick'], [player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'], [player_tooltip player_id='176087' first='Katie' last='Gielas'], [player_tooltip player_id='176092' first='Rainey' last='Weidman'], [player_tooltip player_id='195856' first='Lindy' last='Radaszewski']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Elite VBTC 18 Black - [player_tooltip player_id='152037' first='Hailey' last='Campagna'], [player_tooltip player_id='176106' first='Mia' last='Stahler'], [player_tooltip player_id='176091' first='Maddie' last='Zechman'], [player_tooltip player_id='152358' first='Gabrielle' last='Dials'], [player_tooltip player_id='176093' first='Makenna' last='Grimes'], [player_tooltip player_id='176095' first='Jolie' last='Sun']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Mintonette m.81 - [player_tooltip player_id='151965' first='Kylah' last='McNeal'], [player_tooltip player_id='151970' first='Dylan' last='Hunt'], Kate Fourman, [player_tooltip player_id='232147' first='Isabelle' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='151967' first='Larsen' last='Terrill'], [player_tooltip player_id='445113' first='Rebekah' last='Williams']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>OPVC 18 Cooper - [player_tooltip player_id='207166' first='Zari' last='Gillispie'], [player_tooltip player_id='151983' first='Raegan' last='Waller'], [player_tooltip player_id='195854' first='Tori' last='Cravens'], [player_tooltip player_id='152062' first='Kaylie' last='McIntosh']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Premier 18 Onitsuka - [player_tooltip player_id='572577' first='Jenna' last='Barhorst'], [player_tooltip player_id='445123' first='Ava' last='Buddelmeyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='482483' first='Trinity' last='Baldwin'], [player_tooltip player_id='445133' first='Sophie' last='Burkey']</li> </ul>

The holidays are winding down and the club volleyball season is upon us. Coming off an exciting high school season that crowned seven state champions as a result of the divisional restructuring, it is an exciting time for the game, for Ohio, and for prospects to shine individually and with their teams over the next several months. Here are some of the top 18U teams across the state, most of which will play an abbreviated season with the USAV GJNC for this age group taking place at the end of April in Salt Lake City. These teams have depth with most prospects having identified their next-level home.