Mid-Season Report: GGCL Leaders

<p>We are at the midpoint of the season as several conferences are set to begin the second round of playing each opponent. In the Greater Girls Catholic League (GGCL) it is St. Ursula Academy that is atop the standings at 4-1.  Ursuline and Seton are not far behind with only two losses in league play. SUA was the first team to take down the defending state champions in Division I in Mount Notre Dame only to see MND avenge that loss in their second match-up with a five-set win of their own. Seton and Mercy McAuley have also topped MND, proving the competitiveness of this league as one of the best in Ohio. Prospects among GWOC statistical leaders are as follows:</p> <p><em>Offense</em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114516" first="Brooke" last="Bultema"]</strong> - 2023 | Ursuline<br /> The Kentucky commit is leading the GGCL in total kills at 178. She continues to assert herself as the best middle in this conference and among the best in Ohio and surrounding region. She has made noticeable gains her in arm work as she has increased her range and the pace she can put on the ball upon contact. Defensively, she leads the league in total blocks as well at 57, which is over 20 more than the next athlete’s total. Consider Bultema a frontrunner for GGCL player of the year, especially if her team can capture the league crown in the coming weeks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114473" first="Sara" last="Bates"]</strong> - 2022 | Seton<br /> Bates continues to raise her stock and show her value among one of the top teams in the state. She contributes well in multiple facets of the game, including her skills offensively that make her a big threat given the point scoring off of her arm. She is just behind Bultema in total kills on the season with 173 total terminations for a 3.8 kills per set average. She is also sixth overall in total digs and is averaging over three per set.</p> <p><em>Defense</em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114525" first="Courtney" last="Fitzgerald"]</strong> - 2023 | Seton<br /> Fitzgerald has some of the best first-step reaction as a libero. Not only can she create good range but she understands angle development to get her team in a situation to convert these touches into point scoring opportunities. She leads the league with 217 total digs at an average of nearly five per set. She has next-level tools and is a among the top libero prospects in Ohio.</p> <p><em>Setting</em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141725" first="Lindsey" last="Green"]</strong> - 2023 | Ursuline<br /> Green is among the best distributors in Ohio in any class or any division. She has great competitive experience that continues to drive her floor direction and leadership for one of the best teams in one of the best leagues in the state. She has good size at 5’10 as a setter, which also helps her contribute well at the net defensively as she is currently third in the GGCL in total blocks. She is smooth in her movement, and she can dish the full range of the court with tempo and location that puts her attackers in optimal location to score. Green is currently averaging 10.3 assists per set. Along with teammate Bultema, Green should certainly be in contention for GGCL player of the year.</p>