Five Division IV Stars Back for More Impressive Moments

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["512410"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9645a54e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Cougars are a staple powerhouse in Ohio as Loncar returns for her junior season following a solid 2025 effort. Her breakout sophomore season included picking up a career high 594 digs for a massive 22.4 d/m average for the defending state champions. She is a stablilizer for a squad that should be in the mix for yet another finish atop the podium in November. Lake Catholic also returns a core group of offensive threats. This includes the big arm of senior [player_tooltip player_id='480797' first='Ahnna' last='Bergant'] along with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='901518' first='Ryann' last='Schneider']</strong> and junior <strong>Kenzie Smith</strong>. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488371' first='Sophia' last='Newland'] also contributes well in the first-touch phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9645a5475"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes made an impressive impact in during her freshman season for the Blue Devils. She earned a team high 4.0 k/s on 230 total kills go go along with an average of 8.7 d/m for a complete all-around effort. This group returns some key pieces around her as Gallia Academy should be poised for a deep run in the postseasn when the time comes. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='712618' first='Aubree' last='Frazier'] is the top returning point scorer as she brings length and veteran experience, boasting 773 career kills heading into her senior season. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914717' first='Rylee' last='Saunders']</strong> was just shy of 200 kills in her first year as senior <strong>Abby Clark</strong> was once again a steady contributor at 2.2 k/s. [player_tooltip player_id='760627' first='Gracyn' last='Clark'] is a solid floor leader as she should surpass the 2,400 career assists mark early in the fall season. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886428' first='Chloe' last='Bennett'] </strong>led the defense with 16.9 d/m in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774804"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9645a537c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hirsch is part of a younger core group of athletes for Elyria Catholic that had them performing and winning at a high rate in 2025. With over 600 assists in her freshman season, she averaged 8.3 a/s along with over six digs per match. Some of her best targets are back as junior [player_tooltip player_id='793154' first='Arianna' last='Dimacchia'] is one of the biggest lefty arms in the state a she averaged a career high 4.7 k/s on 326 total kills. She also led the team defensively at 14.0 d/m. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='774802' first='Mollie' last='Mulgrew'] was also terrific in her freshman season. The 5'11 pin delivered 203 kills for a 2.9 k/s average. Senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766535' first='Ella' last='Feskanich']</strong> had her best season yet in 2025 at 2.2 k/s on 173 kills. Another sophomore providing key contributions last season is <strong>Ava Nortaberadino</strong>. The DS/L prospect added 8.0 d/m on over 200 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960881"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9645a53f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With nearly 800 career kills entering into her senior season, Mullins was electric in 2025 with a career high 358 kills for a single season, which equated to a 4.4 k/s average. With an increase in her efficiency, Mullins is poised to be one of the best offensive threats in the Southern Ohio III, a league the Pirates went unbeaten in last year. At 22-4 overall last season, Wheelersburg makes the switch from DV to DIV. They also bring back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007071' first='Laikyn' last='Hall']</strong>, who led the team with 67 blocks to go along with 107 kills. Senior <strong>Laynee Walker</strong> is their third point scoring veteran coming back following a 1.5 k/s average. Junior <strong>Mati Jennings</strong> provided nearly seven digs per match and will be among this core returning group that will be called upon for more production to help them recover from some key parts lost due to graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484385"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9645a52dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sarchione (*pictured) is among the top point scoring seniors returning for their respective teams in 2025. The 5'10 pin earned a career best 436 kills in 2025 for a 4.5 k/s average. She also added a career best 11.0 d/m as she earned 2nd team all-Ohio honors for DIV. The Dukes finished 25-3 overall and with a perfect 10-0 record in the Northern [program_tooltip program_id='431739' first='Buckeye' last=''] league. Bowing out in the state semifinal round on the final weekend of the season, Marlington returns one other key piece from last year in fellow senior <strong>Justine Doringo</strong>. With a 1.3 k/s average, the middle led the Dukes defensively at the net with a total of 49 blocks. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846118' first='Reese' last='Hagan']</strong> will likely assume more responsbility defensively as she provided 114 total digs last year. Look for Sarchione to potetially shoulder an even bigger load offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->