Club Preview: Cincy Area Top U18s

As the state of Ohio is deeply rich with prep volleyball talent, some of the top teams reside in the greater Cincinnati area. Here are two U18 squads that should compete well on the national level give the all-around athleticism, physicality, and experience they host respectively.  Elevation 18 Goller The biggest offensive factor on this team may be a junior in outside hitter Carly Hendrickson Carly Hendrickson 6'2" | OH Mount Notre Dame | 2022 State OH (Florida). Prep Dig Ohio’s top prospect in the class of 2022, she has seemingly improved the quality of her arm speed and strength over the past few months, which was a huge factor in Mount Notre Dame’s recent state championship run. She has great length and explosiveness off the floor, posing as a huge matchup problem for most blockers across the net. There is nothing sweeter for Hendrickson than teaming up with your high school setter to continue the display of timing and tempo that make for a lethal offensive combination. Senior Megan Wielonski Megan Wielonski 5'10" | S Mount Notre Dame | 2021 State OH (Ball State) has some of the best hands and offensive direction in Ohio’s senior class. Another big pin option is Ally Christman Ally Christman 5'10" | RS Mount Notre Dame | 2021 State OH (Robert Morris), also a MND teammate. She has great versatility to terminate with good range and pace from both sides of the court. The pin action also will involve a lot of Annie Lockett Annie Lockett 6'1" | OH Mason | 2021 State OH (Eastern Michigan), who has a brusier of an arm as she can generate a heavy ball when she gets her feet their and is on balance. The middle action will be dominated by the balanced net play of Jules Fink Jules Fink 6'2" | MB Kings | 2021 State OH (Utah Valley) and Hailey Green Hailey Green 6'2" | MB Ursuline | 2021 State OH (Denver) as both can get it done on both sides of the ball. Both are a big presence at 6’2 respectively. They fill space well when blocking and have good range of offense around the setter in their arsenal. Supporting them in the middle will be senior Marilyn Popplewell (Hillsdale). Defensively, libero Katelyn Grimes Katelyn Grimes 5'6" | DS/L Cincinnati Hills Christian | 2021 State OH (Central Florida) is one of the most dynamic and electric athletes at her position in the state. She has great court vision and awareness and a quick first step that helps her cover a lot of court and pick up a lot of balls. Additional athletes include the very capable setting skills of Emory Spitler as well as the well-rounded skills of junior Elizabeth Schlemmer.  Tri-State Elite 18 Blue With Prep Dig Ohio’s top prospect in the 2021 class on their roster, this squad should compete well over the next several months. Emma Grome Emma Grome 5'9" | S St. Ursula | 2021 State OH (Kentucky) is one of the most complete players in the state and has terrific competitive experience to help guide this squad in the biggest of matches. At 6’0, outside hitter Caroline Clippard Caroline Clippard 6'0" | OH Mercy McAuley | 2021 State OH (Ohio) has big hops and can create high contact and range off her arm at the peak of her jump. She should score a lot of points for this team. Julia Marr Julia Marr 6'2" | OH Seton | 2021 State OH (Western Michigan) also has good length and what she might lack in lift and explosiveness off the floor compared to Clippard she makes up for with power and good arm control to move the ball around. They could get support on the pin from Emma Grace (Xavier), who has great ball control, court savvy, and volleyball I.Q. She can hold her own at the net with her arm but also makes big contributions with her ball control and defense and has good length to play in a defensive role as well. In the middle is Sammie Engel Sammie Engel 6'2" | MB Anderson | 2021 State OH (Cornell). She creates good space offensively and sees the court in front of her well. She also has good quickness and length to close down opposing attackers on the pins. One of the more dynamic arms in the middle is Madison Merz Madison Merz 6'0" | MB Mercy McCauley | 2021 State OH (Western Michigan). She has good footwork around the setter, elevates well, and can move the ball around with good pace. The team’s libero is Emily Wichmann (Oakland). She provides a lot of stability on the defensive side as she has good quickness and plays with a lot of composure that helps create good range around the court. Be certain to check this team out, including additional athletes in defensive specialist Lauren Silbernagel, outside hitter/setter Carly Scott Carly Scott 5'11" | OH Madeira | 2021 State OH (Case Western), and the two non-senior athletes in junior middle Raelyn Sanders and sophomore defensive specialist Bridget Brus Bridget Brus 5'9" | DS/L St. Ursula | 2023 State OH .