HS Preview: Girls Greater Catholic League

<p>Mount Notre Dame claimed the Division I state championship and are among the favorites to get back to the state tournament this fall. However, teams in the GGCL may have something to say about that as the league features a few teams that should compete very well in Division I. Additionally, the league also features several athletes among the top prospects in Ohio.</p> <p><strong><em>Mount Notre Dame</em></strong><br /> The Cougars return <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114445" first="Carly" last="Hendrickson"]</strong>, the top player in Ohio and also recognized as the top recruit in the nation by some sources. The University of Florida commit will be a tough task for every opponent this season as she has college-ready skills and physicality, and is just that much better than last season. She will likely carry a big offensive load much like last season that saw her terminate over six kills per set. Another viable point scoring option is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114446" first="Maggie" last="Butkovich"]</strong>. The senior pin attacker has good length and a nice arm that should provide some pin balance in their office. In the middle is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114559" first="Katie" last="Wilking"]</strong>. She an active offensive element as she has skills to score from multiple attack points around the setter. Defensively, she averaged nearly two blocks per match last season. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114570" first="Kenzie" last="Cogan"]</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114562" first="Ava" last="Wolfer"]</strong> will provide good stability with their ball control and are the team’s leading producers defensively returning from last season. A big boost to this team is the addition of junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141722" first="Audrey" last="Armbruster"]</strong>, a 5’11 setter and opposite transfer from Turpin. She has size and versatility and will likely assume some of the setting responsibility vacated by graduation. </p> <p><strong><em>St. Ursula Academy</em></strong><br /> The Bulldogs are a team that deserves recognition and to be among the top teams considered to make a big run in the postseason this fall. They have good depth around the floor and it all starts with returning all-league setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114458" first="Sophia" last="Hudepohl"]</strong>. She is a savvy and experienced floor leader that has great ability to distribute the floor with good balance. With that, she has a lot of options around the floor. Senior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114455" first="Lauren" last="Otten"]</strong> is a primary offensive threat and has ability to terminate through a high contact point. On the right side is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141710" first="Luca" last="Fickell"]</strong>, who has good size that benefits her well on both sides of the ball. Some of this team’s best depth is in the middle where they are led by junior all-league honorable mention selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141709" first="Ivey" last="Stocks"]</strong>. Seniors <strong>Annaleise Rammes</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114476" first="Gracie" last="Reisman"]</strong> provide good depth in the middle as these athletes all bring something a little different to that position for SUA. This is a squad that has all the pieces to be a contender, including the ball control and defense to create a lot of in-system opportunities for their offense. Don’t be surprised if they are knocking on the door to the final weekend of the season later this fall. </p> <p><strong><em>Ursuline Academy</em></strong><br /> Another team with high quality options are the Lions from Ursuline Academy. They will be led by rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114516" first="Brooke" last="Bultema"]</strong>, the only sophomore selected to either the first or second team in the league a season ago. The 6’3 middle had a phenomenal club season that saw her summer land her an offer from recent Division I national champion Kentucky. She is athletic and physical and should score a lot of points for her team. The setter for this team is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141725" first="Lindsey" last="Green"]</strong>, one of the best in Ohio’s junior class. Green was also named to the all-league team as an honorable mention selection a season ago. Junior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153896" first="Erin" last="Gonzalez"]</strong> should see a lot of opportunity in their offense with pin support coming from <strong>Sydney Breissinger</strong> and 5’11 opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153897" first="Maddie" last="Pitzer"]</strong>. In the middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114598" first="Leah" last="Wiley"]</strong> is a capable counterpart to Bultema and we will see freshman <strong>Lindy Radaszewski</strong> get some opportunities as well. </p> <p><em><strong>Other Athletes to Watch</strong></em></p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="114574" first="Maria" last="Drapp"] - S | Mercy McAuley | 10.6 assists per set</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="114525" first="Courtney" last="Fitzgerald"] - DS | Seton | 13.2 digs per match</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="114448" first="Tessa" last="Jones"] - MH | Seton | 2.2 kills per set; 2.4 blocks per match</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="114477" first="Rae" last="Sanders"] - MH | Mercy McAuley | 1.9 kills per set</li> </ul> <p><em><strong>Key Upcoming Matches</strong></em></p> <ul> <li>8/31 Mount Notre Dame @ Ursuline</li> <li>9/2 St. Ursula @ Mount Notre Dame</li> <li>9/16 Mount Notre Dame @ St. Ursula<br /> <br /> </li> </ul>