Four More State Titles Earned on Sunday

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division I | Seton def. Mentor 3-0</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":884956,"width":"181px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/CallieCombs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-884956" style="width:181px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'], Seton</em></strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seton Saints repeated as the DI state champs as they ran through their season with little adversity including earning consecutive 3-0 sweeps on the final weekend to stake their dominance with another title. Their core offensive arms showed great balance at the state tournament as seniors [player_tooltip player_id='379749' first='Nattie' last='Slusher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'] paved the way in the title bout with 16 and 11 kills respectively. [player_tooltip player_id='403526' first='Grace' last='Jones'] led the defense with 14 digs, capping a great season in which she averaged 16 digs per match. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='368391' first='Kirsten' last='Kemper'] rounded out a fantastic varsity campaign with a team best 19 assists to finish with nearly 900 for her career. Seton will be strong again next year as junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480837' first='Charley' last='Moeddel']</strong>, the teams best offensive threat in 2025, will be back to lead the offense again. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835588' first='Makenna' last='Meibers']</strong> will be a bigger force as well as she should see more opportunities to showcase her arm. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582224' first='Penelope' last='Reisman']</strong>, one of the top prospects in the Ohio 2028 class, will assume more leadership as a top returning setter. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582218' first='Maggie' last='Timmerman']</strong> should assume the libero jersey as their top returning defensive piece as she is very capable of carrying this role. The conclusion of this season also means that Mentor will say goodbye to seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403541' first='Melody' last='Garrett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403537' first='Kayden' last='McKinney']</strong>. Each had 10 kills in a valiant effort against a juggernaut of a team in Seton. Two important pieces that should be back in key roles next year are junior setter <strong>Addi Keeper</strong> and freshman defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783417' first='Ava' last='Garrett']</strong>. Keeper led Mentor with 16 assists while Garrett had a team high 14 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division II | Avon def. Anthony Wayne 3-1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766258,"width":"213px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/MalloryLeahPike.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766258" style="width:213px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>Mallory &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='828450' first='Leah' last='Pike'], AWHS</em></strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-ranked Anthony Wayne found their way back to the state championship match after a big effort in 2024. However, it was #3 ranked Avon that earned the crown with a stunning 3-1 win. The Eagles were led by their consistent senior arm in [player_tooltip player_id='401341' first='Londyn' last='Stone'] (*pictured). The Duquesne commit terminated a team high 21 kills to go along with 11 digs. <strong>Lily Hamilton</strong> was a major force with another triple double that included 18 kills, 24 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800279' first='Ally' last='Brediger']</strong> had a match high 30 digs while junior <strong>Kaitlyn Pojman </strong>led Avon with 25 assists. After splitting the first two sets, Avon was able to outlast the Generals 25-23 and 25-22 to close out the match but not without big contributions from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227830' first='Mallory' last='Pike'] </strong>and [player_tooltip player_id='828450' first='Leah' last='Pike']. As these two will head to Ball State next season, they earned 23 and 17 kills respectively in their final varsity match, as Leah also dished 24 assists while earning five blocks, both team highs. With six athletes in double figures defensively, Mallory and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412607' first='Jessie' last='Kennelly']</strong> each picked up 15 in the loss. Sophomore <strong>Alayna Rieger</strong> helped lead their offense with 22 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division V | Lake Catholic def. New Lexington 3-1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a 19-10 overall record, the Lake Catholic Cougars showed why they are one of the toughest outs when the postseason arrives. With their 3-1 win over New Lexington in the DV title match, the Cougars have sustained their dynasty with their fourth consecutive championship. In 2022 and 2023 they won in DIII before Ohio shifted to seven divisions, in which Lake Catholic has claimed back-to-back titles in DV since that adjustment. They simply found a way to play some of their best ball when it mattered most as team offensive leader and junior [player_tooltip player_id='480797' first='Ahnna' last='Bergant'] was huge in the finals with a match high 23 kills. Teammates <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='901518' first='Ryann' last='Schneider']</strong> and <strong>Kenzie Smith</strong> each terminated 11 kills as the Cougars outpaced New Lexington offensively at 55-36 in total kills. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261322' first='Ava' last='Starr'] </strong>managed this team with her leadership, experience, and distribution as she had a total of 78 assists over the final weekend, including 48 dimes in the championship match. [player_tooltip player_id='512410' first='Lola' last='Loncar'] had a match high 36 assists. Back next year for the Cougars are Bergant, Loncar, Smith, and Schneider, along with other consistent contributors in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='488371' first='Sophia' last='Newland'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807381' first='Sophia' last='Raguz']</strong> as well as sophomore <strong>Maddie Summers</strong>. New Lexington finishes the season at 26-3 as senior [player_tooltip player_id='524611' first='Chloe' last='Dick'] led the Panthers with 11 kills to go with nine digs on the defensive side. Other key seniors wrapping up their varsity careers for the Panthers are setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903276' first='Jorja' last='Burkhart']</strong>, libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794190' first='Gracie' last='Newlon']</strong>, and hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815774' first='Lena' last='Finck']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812213' first='Caroline' last='Dupler']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division VII | Calvert def. Monroeville 3-0</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":717276,"width":"180px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/BrynDircksenCalvert.jpg?w=954" alt="" class="wp-image-717276" style="width:180px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Competing in a state title match for three consecutive seasons, Calvert finally broke through with a Division VII win as they beat Monroeville in a convincing 3-0 effort. They are one of four teams to run the table without a defeat in 2025 as they finished the season with a 29-0 record. The versatile play of senior [player_tooltip player_id='848346' first='Emily' last='Miller'] was top for the Senecas as she led the team with 13 kills to go with five digs. However, junior [player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='Bella' last='Borgio'] showed why she is one of the best prospects in the Ohio 2027 class as she had 12 kills without an error for a .706 efficiency while supporting that effort with her team high 15 digs. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826684' first='Karris' last='Marinis']</strong> will return next season as one of the top offensive players coming back. She added nine kills. Also set to return is setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503990' first='Bryn' last='Dircksen']</strong> who had another big march with 33 assists. She guided Calvert's offensive dominance in the finals as they earned 41 kills to 14 from Monroeville. The unbeaten season and a state crown are special achievements, with more to come perhaps as they will return key prospects in the most important phases of the game. Additional returning prospects that should be part of the regular rotation include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806732' first='Megan' last='Rombach']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794186' first='Gracie' last='Miller']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805730' first='Hope' last='Waire'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795311' first='Kate' last='Coleman']</strong>. Monroeville finished the season 25-3 overall as they were led all season by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816499' first='Madison' last='Reiber']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829012' first='Ady' last='Adams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810552' first='Alexa' last='Adams']</strong>, and <strong>Addison Lyons</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER STATE CHAMPIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Division III = Tippecanoe Red Devils | 29-0</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Division IV = Archbishop McNicholas Rockets | 27-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Division VI = Newark Catholic Green Wave | 27-0</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->