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 HendricksonCarlyHendrickson6'2" | OHMount Notre Dame | 2022StateOH (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 WielonskiMeganWielonski5'10" | SMount Notre Dame | 2021StateOH (Ball State) has some of the best hands and offensive direction in Ohio’s senior class. Another big pin option is Ally ChristmanAllyChristman5'10" | RSMount Notre Dame | 2021StateOH (Robert Morris), also a MND teammate. She has great versatility to terminate with
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 HendricksonCarlyHendrickson6'2" | OHMount Notre Dame | 2022StateOH (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 WielonskiMeganWielonski5'10" | SMount Notre Dame | 2021StateOH (Ball State) has some of the best hands and offensive direction in Ohio’s senior class. Another big pin option is
Ally ChristmanAllyChristman5'10" | RSMount Notre Dame | 2021StateOH (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 LockettAnnieLockett6'1" | OHMason | 2021StateOH (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 FinkJulesFink6'2" | MHKings | 2021StateOH (Utah Valley) and
Hailey GreenHaileyGreen6'2" | MHUrsuline | 2021StateOH (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 GrimesKatelynGrimes5'6" | LCincinnati Hills Christian | 2021StateOH (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 GromeEmmaGrome5'9" | SSt. Ursula | 2021StateOH (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 ClippardCarolineClippard6'0" | OHMercy McAuley | 2021StateOH (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 MarrJuliaMarr6'2" | OHSeton | 2021StateOH (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 EngelSammieEngel6'2" | MBAnderson | 2021StateOH (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 MerzMadisonMerz6'0" | MBMercy McCauley | 2021StateOH (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 ScottCarlyScott5'11" | OHMadeira | 2021StateOH (Case Western), and the two non-senior athletes in junior middle Raelyn Sanders and sophomore defensive specialist
Bridget BrusBridgetBrus5'9" | DSSt. Ursula | 2023OH.
