Check-In on 2025 State Champs: Part I

With seven divisions of high school girls volleyball in Ohio, that means seven state champions were crowned in 2025. This two-part post will take a detailed look at each state champion from last year as the 2026 postseason slate is looming. Are these teams faring well in 2026? Are they contenders to repeat? Who is stepping in following graduation of key veterans? What key wins have they earned? These are questions the following information seeks to support. In this first part, we focus on Divsions I, II and III.   DIVISION I   2025 State Champion: Seton Saints   Current Record: Overall = 18-0; GGCL = 8-0   Key Athletes: [player_tooltip player_id='480837' first='Charley' last='Moeddel'] (5.4 k/s; 53 blocks); [player_tooltip player_id='582224' first='Penelope' last='Reisman'] (10.8 a/s; 6.5 d/m); [player_tooltip player_id='582218' first='Maggie' last='Timmerman'] (13.8 d/m); [player_tooltip player_id='480838' first='Makenna' last='Meibers'] (2.4 k/s); [player_tooltip player_id='936513' first='Chloe' last='Poland'] (2.3 k/s); [player_tooltip player_id='739590' first='Charlotte' last='Holm'] (1.7 k/s; 54 blocks);   Postseason Outlook: This is a program that has not lost a match since September 26, 2024 as they have earned the past two DI state titles with a very good chance to make it three in a row. Currently ranked #1 in DI, the Saints are marching towards another deep title run and are likely the favorite at this point of the season for a three-peat. Having lost some key variables following their previous two titles, those runs included younger athletes that are very experienced today, both in skill development and their ability to compete at a high level. Across the GGCL, they have multiple athletes that are high atop the stat leaders in various categories including Moeddel leading all attackers with 281 kills. She has asserted herself well as their primary threat, although the supporting arms are not to be taken lightly. Meibers is a senior veteran who couples with Poland, a freshman that competes like a veteran as she has established herself as a skilled and aggressive threat for the Saints now and her years ahead. Those three attackers are #1, #8 & #9 offensively in the GGCL. Reisman and Timmerman are two of the best in their positions across all of Ohio. Reisman has been a floor leader for this team her entire career and is guiding a balanced offense through a tough schedule. Timmerman anchors their ball control, which elevates their offense as their in-system options and opportunities are difficult to defend collectively. On the defensive side at the net, Holm and Moeddel are #2 and #3 in total blocks in the GGCL respectively. Featuring multiple DI prospects to the next level, a deep proficiency of skills, along with a culture of knowing how to win, don't be surprised if this team his hoisting the trophy once again come November.   Key Wins: #3 St. Ursula (Cincy); #4 Ursuline; #7 Mason; #8 St. Joseph Academy; #18 Milford   DIVISION II   2025 State Champion: Avon Eagles   Current Record: Overall = 10-4; Southwestern = 8-3   Key Athletes: [player_tooltip player_id='774801' first='Clare' last='Freaney'] (4.2 k/s; .340 eff.); [player_tooltip player_id='800279' first='Ally' last='Brediger'] (14.1 d/m); [player_tooltip player_id='807051' first='Peyton' last='Reinart'] (2.7 k/s; 1.4 b/m); [player_tooltip player_id='966819' first='Madison' last='Demmerle'] (5.6 a/s; 5.2 d/m)   Postseason Outlook: On the shoulders of a senior-laden team a season ago, the Eagles flew past the majority of their competition on their way to a 27-1 overall record and the DII title. That veteran depth has moved on as this group is relying on a handful of athletes earning significant opportunities for the first time in their varsity careers. The one mainstay is Brediger who averaged over six digs per set last season. Her numbers have dropped slightly (4.1 d/m) this season, but she is skilled and experienced as one key element returning that helps to shore up their first-touch work. Freaney is one of the more efficient attackers in the Southwestern league as the middle has asserted herself very well this season. Just a sophomore, at 6'2, Freaney has ability to score in bunches when they can get her involved through quick tempo options. She has earned double-digit kills in most matches as she set a new career high of 25 kills back in August only to eclipse that with 26 kills in a more recent win over North Ridgeville. Demmerle is another returner with increased experience as she saw more action last season, which has carried over to 2026 for a career high effort in her distribution. The Eagles have had to fill some big shoes of a core group that was really good collectively in 2025. Currently second overall in the Southwestern standings and ranked #9 in DII, a favorable postseason draw will be helpful before they arrive at some of the juggernauts in this division in later rounds.   Key Wins: #8 Olmsted Falls   DIVISION III   2025 State Champion: Tippecanoe Red Devils   Current Record: Overall = 16-1; Miami Valley-Miami = 5-1   Key Athletes: Abbi Mader (4.4 k/s; 7.6 d/m; ); [player_tooltip player_id='592223' first='Lexi' last='Luginbuhl'] (2.7 k/s; 61 aces); [player_tooltip player_id='779070' first='Livia' last='Hiser'] (2.7 k/s; 6.6 d/m); Ava Jones (8.4 a/s); Faith Siefring (13.2 d/m)   Postseason Outlook: The Red Devils dropped just four sets overall in 2025 on their way to an unbeaten 28-0 record and the DIII state title. This season started without some key performers, especially on the offensive side, due to graduation of a handful of primary forces towards their effort a year ago. However, this is a team that featured some solid support among some athletic and dynamic talent that has stepped into the spotlight ready to lead and and compete confidently as a reigning state champion. Mader, a dynamic multi-sport athlete, was a key piece a season ago and is performing at a higher rate this season. She leads the MVL in total kills with 231 while coupling with Luginbuhl as the top two attackers in efficiency at .437 and .498 respectively. Luginbuhl also leads the league on the defensive side with 43 total blocks for a high impact effort on both sides of the ball. Hiser's increased offensive impact has been a big part thus far as this trio represents the core of their offense while occupying three spots in the top five offensively in the league. Siefring is a long-term veteran as she has amassed nearly 1,300 total digs over four varsity seasons for a career average of 15.7 d/m. Ranked #9 in the current DIII poll, Tippecanoe has the pieces to make an honest effort and run to a repeat title. However, division III saw some shift entering this season with the addition of DIV powers Archbishop McNicholas (2025 DIV state champion) and CHCA, which could make any returning DIII team's path more challenging. These two teams are currently ranked #1 and #3 respectively in DIII. There is a strong argument that DIII might be the deepest division competitively as the anticipation of the postseason is very high. As Tippecanoe's schedule strength is limited, their biggest match remaining will be against league foe Buter, a team that handed the Red Devils their only loss in 2026 thus far.   Key Wins: Greenville, Troy

With seven divisions of high school girls volleyball in Ohio, that means seven state champions were crowned in 2025. This two-part post will take a detailed look at each state champion from last year as the 2026 postseason slate is looming. Are these teams faring well in 2026? Are they contenders to repeat? Who is stepping in following graduation of key veterans? What key wins have they earned? These are questions the following information seeks to support. In this first part, we focus on Divsions I, II and III.