H.S. Preview: Three Top DIV Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>New Bremen Cardinals</em></strong><br>The Cardinals are the defending 2022 state champions and return enough key pieces that contribute very well in various aspects of the game and should help create a competitive effort towards a repeat finish. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='152118' first='Olivia' last='Heitkamp'] has steadily emerged as one of the top prospects in the 2024 class. She has size and length and has continued to develop the physicality of her arm. She is the key offensive pillar for this team after earning 450 total kills last season on a .263 efficiency with over 1,000 attempts, earning 1st team all-Ohio honors. She will likely see high volume opportunities again yet the Toledo commit has proven capable of producing at a high rate. The next top returning offensive contributor is sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227801' first='Mary' last='Rindler'] </strong>as she terminated 113 kills while adding 60 total blocks, second behind Heitkamp's 68. The returning setter is [player_tooltip player_id='176090' first='Melina' last='Schrader'], another 1st team all-Ohio selection last season. She had a great sophomore campaign with 950 total assists and a team high 93 service aces. She was also second defensively with 229 total digs. Following graduation of their all-Ohio libero, the Cardinals will likely rely on [player_tooltip player_id='152359' first='Keira' last='Steininger'] (*pictured) to fill those shoes. The junior has earned great experience as a libero during the club season and is more than capable to of providing the numbers and leadership for her team in this capacity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Crestview Knights</em></strong><br>The Knights finished 20-8 overall last season with a great postseason push to advance to the state semifinals where they lost a tough 3-1 decision to the eventual champions. Their offense had good balance among a trio of attackers with two of those arms back in 2023. Leading the way last fall was senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494138' first='Myia' last='Etzler']</strong> and her 3.1 k/s average. In addition to her 302 total kills, she was also among team leaders defensively at the net with 57 total blocks. Also earning 300 kills was junior [player_tooltip player_id='289174' first='Adelyn' last='Figley']. The 5'10 pin hitter is equally effective from either side of the floor with good approach mechanics and the ability to develop some big pace. She has well-rounded skills and contributed 3.1 d/s as well. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='169126' first='Cali' last='Gregory'] is the third key offensive piece coming back as she is the team's floor general, earning a career high 822 assists. She now has over 2,000 assists for her career entering her final season. She can also score as she terminated 217 total kills in 2022. Her 241 digs supported well the Knights' defensive leader, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445097' first='Ellie' last='Kline']</strong>. Over her first two seasons, Kline has earned 723 total digs for a career average of 14.2 digs per match. Crestview should be in the mix for another deep postseason run as they begin their season at Paulding on 8/22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Calvert Senecas</em></strong><br>The key senior members of this squad have collectively put together a very successful career having won the state title in 2020 through an undefeated season followed by advancing to the state semifinals in 2021 and reaching the region finals last season. They have amassed a 75-7 overall record during that span. [player_tooltip player_id='139279' first='Caroline' last='Lanicek'] is a formidable force at the net as the 6'0 lefty has totaled 755 kills for a career average of 3.0 k/s over her first three seasons. She has also contributed 230 total blocks with a career high effort last year with 84. [player_tooltip player_id='169099' first='Camryn' last='Shook'] returns as Lanicek's key offensive counterpart. Over her first three seasons she has earned 612 kills with averages of 2.4 k/s and a career .357 efficiency, including a career high effort of .427 in 2022. The next top returning offensive threat is <strong>Alli Porter</strong> as she earned 115 kills last fall. The 5'6 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='494143' first='Olivia' last='Miller']</strong> is the returning setter. The senior had 812 assists for a 10.3 a/s average while picking up nearly eight digs per match. She has good command of the floor with good movement and mechanics to get her key attackers into good situation. Senior <strong>Cecilia Palm</strong> was the defensive leader last season with a 10.2 d/m averaged. The Senecas have some of the best veteran experience and will begin their season versus Danbury at home on 8/22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->