Junior-Laden Pickerington Central Into Regional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A season ago, Pickerington Central finished 20-4 overall following a tough exit in the DI district final round. Getting big contributions from a handful of seniors last year, the Tigers quickly shifted focus to identify and replace the multiple key pieces that shouldered a good portion of their point scoring. With some rising juniors returning that were part of their 2025 season, they have successfully found a way to fill some shoes with others that have stepped into the limelight or are contributing for the first time. All of this has helped them establish their own identity while maintaining the program's standard of success. And then some. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 22-2 overall in 2026, the #10 ranked Tigers won their most recent match through a convincing 3-0 result over #4 ranked Olentangy Berlin. The victory lands them on the doorstep of the state semifinals. What has been impressive is that every position is led by a member of the junior class, solidifying this team as one to watch through the 2027 cycle. Their upcoming regional match is a big one as they get set to face #5 ranked Olentangy Liberty (20-3), recent winners over Lincoln. Here are five key members from Pickerington Central to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560310"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aed30ac3578f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Foster is a carryover from 2025 when she was part of the corps of arms that provided the bulk of the Tigers' offense. She has been big-time this fall as she has stepped up her impact with a positive gain of over 100 kills from last season, increasing her effort to a team and career high 3.8 k/s. She has been so effective as well through this increased role and emphasis in their offense as she is efficient at .354 on a 42% kill rate. Foster has improved her arm work in the air as she can swing with speed while using her vision and balance in the air to be able to drive the ball with range and through space. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["721567"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aed30ac357c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holloway is this team's most athletic and explosive attacker. She is utilized offensively in a variety of ways, including different attack points and tempos. Where she can provide some of her most physical presence is on the right side with the timing and pace she creates to score. Second in the Tigers offensive overall, she is an athlete that has increased her effort and value to a significant level following a supporting presence in 2025. She currently averages 3.1 k/s on a 41% kill rate. She has been contributing some of her best offense in in the latter part of October, including a career high 21 kills versus JAHS ear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752312"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aed30ac357e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Massey has been the most significant contributor for the Tigers since this group's freshman season. She has picked up nearly 800 career digs with her best effort coming this season as she is averaging a career high 15.4 d/m. Massey is very reliable in the libero jersey as she fills this role well. She moves efficiently in serve receive while also showing good balance and reaction on the defensive side to create good angles that helps kickstart their transition game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061026"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aed30ac35809"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Running the Tigers' offense in 2025, Lyons is on par with that effort as she averages just shy of nine assists per set for an offense that averages nearly 13 k/s on a collective .282 efficiency. Her movements are simple but purposeful in how she prepares with good patience to make the right pursuit of the ball for the second touch. She has good footwork to get on balance and squared up to her location, which is followed by good touch and location to get her big arms into good situations. Lyons runs a good offense as well as she can mix it up in how she uses her hitters to create more pressure on opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061031"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aed30ac35827"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bremer is the newest core member to the rotation. The 6'3 middle is in her first varsity season with the job of creating presence and stability at the net between the pins. She leads the Tigers defensively at nearly two blocks per match while providing some offense at 1.4 k/s. She uses her physical tools well without trying to do too much when she gets opportunities to swing. When in rhythm, the space she creates allows her to put good force on the ball while she also has the skills to use off-speed touch to place it into gaps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->