The 2023 Ohio Varsity Volleyball Player of the Year award will be presented to one of five finalists at the Senior Slam & Underclassmen Showcase at North High School on Nov. 19.
Five finalists were selected from a group of 11 nominees.
The finalists are listed below in alphabetical order:
JAIDEN ANDERSON, EASTLAKE NORTH
The senior setter left her mark on the Ranger program by becoming the school’s all-time assists leader, including 696 this season alone. As a senior, she also recorded 223 digs and 47 aces.
“Jaiden is a standout setter in the Western Reserve Conference for our team who struggles within the WRC; that isn’t easy to do,” said North coach Tamara Heller. “Jaiden broke the North High School career assists record by over 600 assists. Jaiden makes every hitter on our team a better attacker. She can run a pace of offense we have never been able to run at Eastlake North. Jaiden is playing Division II college volleyball in the (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) next fall.”
SAMANTHA HARTMAN, MENTOR
A senior setter, Hartman set school records for career aces and assists at Mentor. As a senior, she recorded 673 assists, 196 digs, 100 kills, and 70 aces for the Cardinals, who finished 21-5 and won a Division I district title.
“Sam has made a huge impact on Mentor volleyball as she is now the career ace and assist leader,” said Mentor coach Samantha Weaver. “She leads the program every single day on and off the court and is a great example for those around her. She will be playing at Edinboro and continuing her volleyball career.”
HANNAH PATTIE, LAKE CATHOLIC
A senior setter, Pattie helped lead the Cougars to the Division III state title in 2022 and has the Cougars undefeated and positioned to defend that state crown on Saturday. As a senior—at the time of her nomination—Pattie has recorded 749 assists, 143 digs, 50 kills, and 31 aces for the 28-0 Cougars.
“Hannah is the glue that holds our team together,” said Lake Catholic coach Kara Oster. “She betters every ball she touches and is the ultimate leader; jack of all trades.”
SOPHIA SIMON, LUTHERAN WEST
A senior middle hitter, Simon led the Longhorns to 20-4 record and a share of the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division title, a significant feat considering Independence has dominated the conference for a decade. The Longhorns closed out the regular season with a 3-2 win over Independence, which snapped the Blue Devils’ 137-match conference winning streak. Simon recorded 18 kills and seven blocks in that match. On the season, she posted 380 kills, 135 digs, 58 aces, 43 blocks, and three assists.
“Sophia Simon is the complete player,” said Lutheran West coach Laura Thrasivoulou. “She is aggressive and efficient. Not only is she an absolutely amazing six-rotation volleyball player, she is also an incredible leader and captain.”
SKYLAR TOTH, CHARDON
A senior outsider hitter, Toth picked up the slack left by an injury to reining Ohio Varsity Player of the Year, Emma McCartney, to lead the Hilltoppers’ attack. She finished with 321 kills, 304 digs, 132 points, 36 blocks, and 32 aces.
“Skylar Toth was one of our co-captains this season and a true leader on the court,” said Chardon coach Alison Fisher. “She was a strong six-rotation player finishing the season first in the Western Reserve Conference for total kills and fifth in the WRC for total digs. Averaging 3.8 kills per set, Skylar could terminate the ball from the pin. She did a great job stepping up as our team worked to overcome numerous injuries and illnesses throughout the season. She ended her high school career with 600 kills. She has been a national level JO player for at least two seasons.”
