Preview of Saturday’s Top Matches
In this article:
Mercy McAuley vs. NDA (KY)There is big offense on both sides of the net in this contest. Mercy is much improved in the areas of competitive experience and skill with their young talent from a season ago playing with more…
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Continue ReadingMercy McAuley vs. NDA (KY)
There is big offense on both sides of the net in this contest. Mercy is much improved in the areas of competitive experience and skill with their young talent from a season ago playing with more confidence. They have good balance in their offense led by a trio of very capable hitters in
Sophia Adkins
Sophia
Adkins
6'0" | OH
Mercy McAuley | 2024
State
#71
Nation
OH
, Emma Adkins, and
Ruby Klusman
Ruby
Klusman
5'9" | OH
Mercy McAuley | 2024
State
OH
. The savvy distribution skills of
Maria Drapp
Maria
Drapp
5'9" | S
Mercy McAuley | 2024
State
OH
gets them good opportunities to score. For NDA out of Kentucky, their big arms include
Sydney Nolan
Sydney
Nolan
6'2" | MB
Notre Dame | 2023
State
#60
Nation
KY
and
Peyton Mast
Peyton
Mast
RS
Notre Dame | 2023
State
KY
, both of whom can have potential to score big points any given match. Both squads have good back row impact as the Wolves are led by libero Jess Drapp and her 5.0 digs per set. For the Pandas, they have a crew of DS/Libero prospects that make it very challenging for defenses to score. They are led by
Kayla Hostetler
Kayla
Hostetler
DS/L
Notre Dame | 2023
State
KY
,
Kamden Schrand
Kamden
Schrand
DS/L
Notre Dame | 2023
State
KY
, and
Julia Grace
Julia
Grace
5'6" | DS/L
Notre Dame Academy | 2025
State
KY
.
St. Ursula vs. Turpin
St. Ursula has big potential to challenge for the GGCL title. They should be able to sustain good balance in their offense led by pins
Addy Brus
Addy
Brus
5'10" | OH
St. Ursula | 2024
State
OH
and
Ava Siefke
Ava
Siefke
6'1" | OH
St. Ursula | 2023
State
OH
, both earning over three kills per set so far.
Ivey Stocks
Ivey
Stocks
5'11" | MB
St. Ursula | 2023
State
OH
(*pictured) is a big threat in the middle on both sides of the ball as she can score and is one of the league’s best blockers. The size and improved distribution from setter
Luca Fickell
Luca
Fickell
6'1" | S
St. Ursula | 2023
State
#175
Nation
OH
is the x-factor. On the Turpin side, Depaul commit
Lilly Gillespie
Lilly
Gillespie
5'8" | OH
Turpin | 2024
State
OH
is averaging just shy of five kills per set and gets good support from Maddy Waters.
Melana Bigelow
Melana
Bigelow
5'11" | RS
Turpin | 2024
State
OH
is the third element to their offensive output and if she can find some consistency in her opportunities and point scoring, Turpin will remain dangerous. St. Ursula may be too much to handle for Turpin but this should be a fun and competitive match.
Ursuline vs. Lebanon
Ursuline is one of the most complete teams in the state with offense, good ball control, and one of the best distributors leading the way.
Brooke Bultema
Brooke
Bultema
6'3" | MB
Ursuline | 2023
State
#36
Nation
OH
is a tough match up for even the best teams and gets good space given the other key factors in their offense like
Katie Gielas
Katie
Gielas
6'2" | OH
Ursuline | 2025
State
#120
Nation
OH
,
Lindy Radaszewski
Lindy
Radaszewski
6'0" | MB
Ursuline | 2025
State
OH
, and
Erin Gonzalez
Erin
Gonzalez
5'8" | OH
Ursuline | 2023
State
OH
. Setter
Lindsey Green
Lindsey
Green
5'11" | S
Ursuline | 2023
State
OH
is atop the GGCL in assists and libero
Sydney Breissinger
Sydney
Breissinger
5'5" | DS/L
Ursuline | 2023
State
OH
is among league leaders in total digs. Lebanon is the defending ECC champion and relies heavily on Lipscomb commit
Ninah Miranda
Ninah
Miranda
6'0" | OH
Lebanon | 2023
State
OH
. Teammate
Mya White
Mya
White
6'1" | OH
Lebanon | 2024
State
OH
has 32 kills on the season and is hitting at a .195 efficiency. They are seeing good output from a couple of newcomers in pin hitter Ava Long and her offense and in the defensive effort from Madison Kyle, both freshmen getting good minutes so far. The question here is how much they can get from their middles, especially in defending at the net with the full-court arsenal that Ursuline brings to each match. Expect this to be highly competitive from both sides.