Key DI Regional Matches Ahead

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The field continues to narrow as we get closer to the final weekend and the opportunity to crown a state champion across seven divisions. As we have had some intense contests in the early phase of the postseason, expect more of that as we get into the second full week of the playoffs. Here are two Division matches to make note of that will both take place on Wednesday 10/29.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mentor Cardinals vs. Perrysburg Yellow Jackets</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PERRYSBURG </strong>| Ranking: #6 | Record: 19-5 | Key prospects: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403536' first='Katie' last='Pahl'] </strong>(Sr. OH/RS; 5.7 k/s; 3.1 d/s); <strong>Mia Brandeberry</strong> (Jr. MH; 2.4 k/s; 1.1 b/m); <strong>Casey Ng</strong> (Sr. S; 8.4 a/s; 9.5 d/m); <strong>Ali Cherry</strong> (Sr. DS/L; 12.5 d/m); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762801' first='Harper' last='Adamski'] </strong>(Fr. RS; 1.5 k/s; 8.6 d/m)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overview: Pahl is a veteran attacker with over 1,000 kills in her career. She is scoring at her highest rate of her varsity career while maintaining a solid efficiency. Her double figure defensive average contributes to the ball control alongside a group of teammates that help collectively pick up 56 digs per match to help slow down their opponents. The #6 DI ranked team in Ohio will need some help from Brandeberry and another arm, perhaps the freshman Adamski, to keep the Mentor defense honest and create space for their key offensive pieces to find the court.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MENTOR</strong> | Ranking: #7 (tied) | Record: 19-5 | Key prospects: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403537' first='Kayden' last='McKinney']</strong> (Sr. OH; 3.4 k/s; 3.1 d/s); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403541' first='Melody' last='Garrett']</strong> (Sr. RS; 3.1 k/s, 2.8 d/s); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778773' first='Anna' last='Cassidy']</strong> (Sr. MH; 1.6 k/s; 3.0 b/m); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783417' first='Ava' last='Garrett']</strong> (Fr. DS/L; 3.8 d/s); <strong>Addison Keeper</strong> (Jr. S; 5.5 a/s; 7.3 d/m)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overview: Mentor relies on a collection of seniors to lead them both offensively and with their net defense. McKinney is approaching 900 career kills and is also performing at her highest rate and more effectively at a 41% kills rate and career best efficiency at .235. Garrett earns nearly the same average of offensive point scoring as her fellow teammate to highlight the two-armed balance of production that can be a big factor. The 5'10 opposite is a long-time varsity member with a lot of veteran experience, which could be key throughout their rotation. Cassidy anchors the defense at the net while it is a freshman in Garrett that leads them defensively behind the block at 12.3 d/m in her first varsity season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: This one is tough to call. Both teams bowed out at this stage in 2024 with one of them guaranteed to get one step further to the regional final round in 2025 and land upon the doorstep of the final weekend of the season. The Cardinals have more balance, but Perrysburg features one of the top point scorers in DI. Mentor wins 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jackson Polar Bears vs. Strongsville Mustangs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JACKSON</strong> | Ranking: #7 (tied) | Record: 19-5 | Key prospects: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530172' first='Taylor' last='Brownsword']</strong> (Sr. OH; 2.8 k/s); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503770' first='Brooklyn' last='Brownsword'] </strong>(Fr. OH; 2.8 ks/); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828347' first='Rebecca' last='Yockey']</strong> (Jr. MH; 2.2 k/s); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763937' first='Morgan' last='Rosenberry']</strong> (Jr. S; 9.3 a/s); <strong>Alece Evanto </strong>(Sr. DS/L; 18.3 d/m)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overview: Jackson returns a couple of pieces that were part of their regional semifinal run in 2024 and an overall record of 21-3. With the elder Brownsword back to help lead their offense, along with Evanto's ball control and defense, these two are key pillars on both sides of the ball that have that playoff experience to this point from a season ago. The freshman Brownsword is contributing effectively including eight times getting to double digit kills with some of those coming against some high quality opponents. Yockey is a prospect that has shown good quickness and efficiency in the middle a she has a kill rate of 50% and efficiency at .376. Roseberry is handling the offense for the first time and has amassed 677 total assists.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STRONGSVILLE</strong> | Ranking: N/A | Record: 20-4 | Key Prospects: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481209' first='Payton' last='Beard']</strong> (Jr. OH; 5.6 k/s); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781288' first='Calette' last='Hicks']</strong> (Fr. OH; 2.2 k/s; 4.1 d/m); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='788216' first='Gianna' last='Grecol']</strong> (Jr. S; 8.3 as/; 7.3 d/m); <strong>Ella O'Malley </strong>(Jr. DS/L; 8.3 d/m)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overview: Beard is a juggernaut of an offensive threat for the Mustangs. The 6'0 pin hitter recently surpassed 900 kills with one more year to go in her career. She is way ahead of her previous season average while terminating at a career best 49% rate. Her versatility to terminate from anywhere on the floor means opponents need to track her in every rotation. She jumps well and moves the ball around with good purpose. With another win or two, Grecol could get to 1,200 career assists this season, meaning she has been leading and performing for the Mustangs for a while bringing veteran leadership to her distribution. She is averaging 8.3 a/s in running the show as the primary setter for the first time this season. Freshman Hicks could be the x-factor if she can get her arm going to add some depth to what Beard will bring. She has had some bright moments throughout the season with a handful of matches in double-digit kills.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: The Mustangs bowed out of the 2024 playoff picture in the district final around on a fifth set two-point difference. The Polar Bears made it to this round last season before losing 3-1. Neither one of these teams brings a lot of previous experience at this stage of the postseason but they do both have decent competitive tests behind them from their respective schedules. Featuring a mix of older and younger athletes by class, they each will need some contributions from freshman as well as first time varsity contributors. With the prolific point scoring from Beard, she alone will test Jackson's offense all evening as she has over 300 more attempts on the season than any of her teammates. With that, Strongsville will take this one 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->