Four area teams chase state volleyball berths Saturday

Four area teams are one victory away from the OHSAA state volleyball semifinals. Preview Saturday's regional championships featuring Lake Catholic, Gilmour Academy, Riverside and NDCL, including players to watch, statistical comparisons, predictions and live stream information.

Four area volleyball teams will take the court Saturday with a chance to extend their seasons into the state semifinals.

, , and will compete in regional championship matches across three divisions, with each facing an opponent capable of making a deep postseason run.

The four matchups offer a little bit of everything: conference rivals meeting for a third time, a rematch decided in five sets earlier this season, an opportunity for a program to make its first state tournament appearance, and a battle between teams with contrasting schedules and momentum.

There is plenty of history at stake.

According to the OHSAA’s all-time state volleyball tournament records, the eight teams competing in these four regional finals have combined for 49 previous state tournament appearances and 18 state championships through 2025.

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Gilmour Academy leads the group with 14 appearances, Padua owns five state championships, and Lake Catholic won three consecutive titles from 2022 through 2024. Riverside, meanwhile, is seeking its first trip to the state tournament.

All four matches will be played Saturday, Nov. 7.

Division IV: Lake Catholic vs. Elyria Catholic

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Alliance High School

Records: Lake Catholic 22-4; Elyria Catholic 23-3

Rankings: Lake Catholic — No. 1 OhioVarsity Division IV Power Rankings, No. 2 State Coaches Poll; Elyria Catholic — No. 4 State Coaches Poll.

Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor: Elyria Catholic 56%, Lake Catholic 44%.

WATCH LIVE | GAME CENTER

For the third time this season, Lake Catholic and Elyria Catholic will meet with plenty at stake. This time, the winner will advance to the Division IV state semifinals.

The North Coast Conference rivals split their first two meetings. Elyria Catholic earned a 3-1 victory on Sept. 8, but Lake Catholic returned the favor with a 3-0 sweep on Oct. 1.

That defeat was the Panthers’ last loss.

Since then, Elyria Catholic has rattled off 13 consecutive victories, including a 3-0 win at top-ranked Magnificat on Oct. 14. Lake Catholic has won eight straight since falling to Padua in five sets on Oct. 6.

Both teams have been dominant in the postseason.

Lake Catholic swept Max S. Hayes, Woodridge, Jefferson and Firelands to reach the regional final. Elyria Catholic followed an identical route through the tournament, sweeping Youngstown East, Beachwood, Canfield and Norton.

Neither team has dropped a set in four postseason matches.

Lake Catholic has been particularly strong at the net. leads the Cougars with 307 kills and adds 289 digs, while has contributed 193 kills and has 153.

The Cougars also feature a formidable group of blockers. leads the team with 102 blocks, has 86, and Smith has 62.

The offense runs through , who has recorded 477 assists, 109 kills and 205 digs,. adds 329 assists.

Defensively, has been outstanding, recording 458 digs and 56 service aces. adds 228 digs and 46 aces.

Elyria Catholic counters with its own balanced attack.

leads the Panthers with 255 kills and 47 aces, while has 198 kills, 148 digs, and a .304 hitting percentage.

has contributed 115 kills and 68 blocks, and has 107 kills. anchors the front line with 98 blocks.

The Panthers also employ two productive setters. and have recorded 360 assists apiece.

leads the back-row defense with 298 digs and adds 44 aces.

The two teams are remarkably similar statistically. Each finished 9-3 in North Coast Conference play, each owns an 11-2 record against their common opponents, and both have won approximately 73 percent of their reported sets.

Lake Catholic has 11 victories against teams with winning records, while Elyria Catholic has 12.

The matchup also carries considerable postseason history.

Lake Catholic has reached the state tournament 12 times and won four championships, including three straight from 2022 through 2024. The Cougars also won the 2010 state championship and reached the state semifinals last season.

Elyria Catholic is seeking its second state tournament appearance and first since 1993.

Players to watch: Lake Catholic — Bergant, Dunavant, Schneider, Riebe and Loncar. Elyria Catholic — Feskanich, Dimacchia, Petrus, McKenna Mulgrew and Notarberardino.

On deck: The winner advances to the Division IV state semifinals Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:00 p.m. at Wright State University against the winner of Ottawa-Glandorf vs. Jonathan Alder.


Division III: Gilmour Academy vs. Padua

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Location: Norwalk High School

Records: Gilmour Academy 14-7; Padua 17-8

Rankings: Gilmour Academy — No. 2 OhioVarsity Division III Power Rankings, No. 7 State Coaches Poll; Padua — No. 5 State Coaches Poll.

Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor: Gilmour Academy 50%, Padua 50%.

GAME CENTER

One of Saturday’s most intriguing regional championships features two teams that already know how evenly matched they are.

Gilmour Academy defeated Padua in five sets on Sept. 16, and the Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor gives each team an equal chance of winning Saturday’s rematch.

The Lancers have won six consecutive matches, including four postseason victories. They swept Harvey, Bedford and Westlake before defeating Shawnee, 3-1, in Thursday’s regional semifinal.

Padua has been equally impressive in tournament play. The Bruins swept Hathaway Brown, Revere and Clay to reach the regional final without surrendering a postseason set.

Both teams have played demanding schedules.

Gilmour has eight victories against teams with winning records and has faced opponents with a combined .576 winning percentage. Padua has six quality victories and a .533 opponent winning percentage.

The teams have also performed well against several of the state’s top programs.

Gilmour owns victories over Mentor, Archbishop Hoban, Lake Catholic, St. Joseph Academy and Padua.

Padua has defeated NDCL, Lake Catholic, Archbishop Hoban, Anthony Wayne and Elyria Catholic.

The matchup at the net should be particularly entertaining.

leads Gilmour with 236 kills and 88 blocks. and have contributed 182 kills each, while has 149.

directs the offense with 548 assists, and has added 166.

Defensively, leads the Lancers with 283 digs, while has 184 digs and 34 aces. adds 42 blocks.

Padua counters with a dangerous group of attackers.

leads the Bruins with 291 kills, while sophomore has 262. adds 151 kills, 199 digs and a team-high 55 aces.

The Bruins share the setting responsibilities between (448 assists) and (422), giving them two experienced distributors.

has been a defensive standout with 446 digs, while leads Padua with 44 blocks and adds 121 kills and 30 blocks.

Both teams have shown they can handle pressure in extended matches. Gilmour is 2-0 in five-set contests, while Padua has played seven such matches, going 4-3.

The history between the programs adds another layer to Saturday’s showdown.

Gilmour Academy has 14 state tournament appearances and four state championships, most recently winning it all in 2024. Padua has reached the state tournament nine times and won five championships, with its most recent title coming in 2017. The Bruins last appeared in the state tournament in 2020, when they finished as runners-up.

Players to watch: Gilmour Academy — Williams, Pike, Anders, Siebert and Wilson. Padua — Placak, Rosa, Gaal, Reginelli and Kurtz.

On deck: The winner advances to the Division III state semifinals Friday, Nov. 13, at 8:00 p.m. at Vandalia Butler High School against the winner of Bloom-Carroll vs. Toledo Notre Dame Academy.


Division II: Riverside vs. Magnificat

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Location: Woodridge High School

Records: Riverside 19-5; Magnificat 22-3

Rankings: Riverside — No. 1 OhioVarsity Division II Power Rankings; Magnificat — No. 1 State Coaches Poll.

Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor: Magnificat 58%, Riverside 42%.

WATCH LIVE | GAME CENTER

Riverside enters Saturday’s Division II regional championship with an opportunity to accomplish something the program has never done.

The Beavers are one victory away from their first appearance in the OHSAA state volleyball tournament.

Standing in their way is a Magnificat team with a 22-3 record, the No. 1 ranking in the Division II State Coaches Poll and a history of postseason success.

Riverside has won seven consecutive matches, including 3-0 victories over Hudson and Lakewood in its two most recent postseason contests.

Magnificat has won five straight and swept Valley Forge, Massillon and North Canton Hoover during its tournament run.

The Blue Streaks own nine victories against teams with winning records, compared to five for Riverside. However, Riverside has faced the stronger overall schedule based on opponent winning percentage, .507 to .410.

The common-opponent comparison is also intriguing.

Riverside swept Hudson, while Magnificat needed five sets to beat the Explorers. Both teams lost to Lake Catholic, although Riverside pushed the Cougars to five sets while Magnificat fell in three.

Both also lost to Mentor earlier in the season, but Riverside responded by sweeping the Cardinals in an Oct. 15 rematch.

Offensively, Riverside is led by , who has recorded 319 kills, 115 digs and 18 blocks. She averages approximately 4.8 kills per set and has a .365 hitting percentage.

has contributed 161 kills and a team-high 51 blocks while hitting .394, and adds 154 kills.

has been a key to the Beavers’ offensive success, recording 632 assists, 155 digs and 35 aces.

leads the defense with 219 digs, while has a team-high 46 aces. adds 34 blocks.

Magnificat features a balanced attack led by , who has recorded 267 kills, 178 digs and 60 aces.

has 166 kills and 158 digs, while has added 145 kills.

directs the offense with 687 assists, while anchors the back row with 289 digs.

The Blue Streaks also boast an imposing presence at the net. leads the team with 72 blocks and adds 133 kills, while has 54 blocks and 97 kills.

Magnificat has won 68 of its 85 reported sets this season, an 80 percent success rate. Riverside has won 52 of 68, approximately 76 percent.

The Blue Streaks are also 2-1 in five-set matches, while Riverside is 0-1.

Magnificat has reached the state tournament seven times and won the 2021 state championship. The Blue Streaks also advanced to the state semifinals last season.

Riverside has never reached the state semifinals, making Saturday’s opportunity particularly significant for the Beavers.

Players to watch: Riverside — Jacleyn Zgonc, Laurenty, Koenig, Meggie Zgonc and Huffman. Magnificat — Regula, McDavid, White, Clayton and Bocci.

On deck: The winner advances to the Division II state semifinals Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:00 p.m. at Vandalia Butler High School against the winner of Westerville South vs. Big Walnut.


Division III: NDCL vs. Medina Highland

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Mentor High School

Records: NDCL 18-7; Medina Highland 20-6

Rankings: NDCL — No. 1 OhioVarsity Division III Power Rankings, No. 2 State Coaches Poll; Medina Highland — No. 9 State Coaches Poll.

Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor: Medina Highland 62%, NDCL 38%.

WATCH LIVE  | GAME CENTER

NDCL enters Saturday’s Division III regional championship with one significant advantage over Medina Highland: The Lions have already beaten the Hornets this season.

NDCL swept Highland, 2-0, on Sept. 19, and the Lions’ strength of schedule suggests they have been tested against tougher competition throughout the year.

However, Highland enters the rematch with the better overall record and more recent momentum.

The Hornets have won seven straight matches since falling to Wadsworth on Oct. 6, while NDCL has won three consecutive matches.

Both teams have been sharp in the postseason.

NDCL swept Madison, Avon Lake and CVCA to reach the regional final, winning nine consecutive tournament sets.

Highland swept Maple Heights, Brush and Louisville before defeating Boardman, 3-1, in Thursday’s regional semifinal.

The differences in schedule strength are substantial.

NDCL’s opponents have a combined .607 winning percentage, compared to .479 for Highland. The Lions have 10 victories over teams with winning records, compared to seven for the Hornets.

NDCL also owns a 2-2 record against common opponents Elyria Catholic, Jackson and Wadsworth, while Highland is 0-4.

The Lions feature a dangerous attacking trio led by , who has recorded 250 kills and 245 digs.

has 193 kills and 184 digs, while adds 190 kills, 227 digs, and 50 aces.

has been a standout in the back row with 456 digs and 59 aces.

NDCL’s setting responsibilities have been handled by (491 assists) and (259), while leads the front line with 113 kills and 43 blocks. adds 36 blocks.

Highland counters with an impressive offensive lineup led by sophomore , who has 293 kills, 281 digs, and 40 aces.

adds 211 kills and 200 digs, while has 119 kills and a team-high 48 blocks.

has contributed 110 kills, and has 103 kills and 37 blocks.

Highland also employs two experienced setters. leads the team with 385 assists, while has 377 assists and a team-high 57 aces.

leads the Hornets defensively with 443 digs.

The historical significance is considerable for both programs.

NDCL has reached the state tournament five times and won three championships in 2014, 2015 and 2022. The Lions also advanced to the state semifinals last season.

Highland’s only previous state tournament appearance came in 1981, when the Hornets won the state championship.

Saturday’s victory would send Highland back to the state tournament for the first time in 45 years or return NDCL to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Players to watch: NDCL — Brkic, Rand, Moissis, Wheeler and Smith. Medina Highland — Ross, Shank, Hrics, Tramonte and Weingart.

On deck: The winner advances to the Division III state semifinals Friday, Nov. 13, at 6:00 p.m. at Vandalia Butler High School against the winner of Bellbrook vs. Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas.


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HOT STREAKS

Active team winning streaks of 3 games or more.

Volleyball Stat Leaders

2026-2027

Attacking

K
1Faith Vencilledgewood491
2Ellie Spencerkirtland322
3Jacleyn ZgoncRiverside319
4Ahnna BergantLake Catholic307
5Mia Mudraindependence292
6Lauren HanekJefferson286
7Emily Slusherindependence261
8Rhiley Williamsgeneva260
9Natalie Soltiscardinal259
10Frankie BrkicNDCL250
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP K K/S KILL % ATT E HIT %
1Faith Vencilledgewood6749121.00120.5%875521.113
2Ellie Spencerkirtland9632210.5089.2%9581840.209
3Jacleyn ZgoncRiverside663194.8048.3%660780.365
4Ahnna BergantLake Catholic9230713.60210.3%771921.137
5Mia Mudraindependence8129252.30708.8%6391005.469
6Lauren HanekJefferson8528612.90146.8%7501240.279
7Emily Slusherindependence8126141.50595.6%6031154.203
8Rhiley Williamsgeneva8326010.60165.1%6261181.266
9Natalie Soltiscardinal812593.2035.1%7381390.163
10Frankie BrkicNDCL772503.2036.4%6861140.198

Serving

A
1Gabby Kaplanlakeside84
2Andriana Grmankirtland74
3Taylor Klukchardon71
4Ellie Spencerkirtland70
5Mia Mudraindependence66
5Moira WondersBerkshire66
5Molly Flyntfairview66
8Chloe Kingfairview65
9Lilli DeweeseBerkshire63
10Callie McGuiremadison61
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP A A/S ACE % SA SE SERV % PTS
1Gabby Kaplanlakeside81841.0022.3%37750165.1%18
2Andriana Grmankirtland94742.7049.4%42337255.4%0
3Taylor Klukchardon76711.0022.2%3274387.3%13
4Ellie Spencerkirtland96703.2070.0%40842175.9%0
5Mia Mudraindependence816616.10255.8%339371,135.3%0
5Moira WondersBerkshire776615.60275.5%353421,052.4%219
5Molly Flyntfairview81667.0050.0%21623171.6%0
8Chloe Kingfairview78655.0081.8%2993592.9%0
9Lilli DeweeseBerkshire776311.80268.4%288341,051.3%170
10Callie McGuiremadison76613.0062.2%30345350.1%157

Blocking

TOT BLKS
1Emma RiebeLake Catholic102.0
2Sophi Smithrootstown97.0
3KJ WilliamsGilmour Academy88.0
4Sophia RaguzLake Catholic86.0
6Gillian Paynebeaumont85.0
7Vera Willoughbyorange82.0
8Faith Vencilledgewood74.0
9Cecile Gindiorange71.0
10Payton Woodringedgewood70.0
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP BS BA TOT BLKS B/S BE
1Emma RiebeLake Catholic922082102.06.903.9
2Sophi Smithrootstown78682997.01.304.3
3KJ WilliamsGilmour Academy78503888.06.3015
4Emily Mechenbierperry73493786.01.203.9
4Sophia RaguzLake Catholic91117586.05.903.3
6Gillian Paynebeaumont76147185.01.103.7
7Vera Willoughbyorange61602282.01.304.1
8Faith Vencilledgewood67235174.02.403.4
9Cecile Gindiorange62551671.01.400
10Payton Woodringedgewood67244670.01.003.2

Digging

D
1Bria Golemkirtland600
2Ella Haynrootstown522
3Lola LoncarLake Catholic458
4Sam WheelerNDCL456
5Molly Flyntfairview395
6Maddie BowerBerkshire386
7Ellie Spencerkirtland378
8Adelyn Grantcardinal376
9Haylee Rhodesedgewood345
10Ava Garrettmentor335
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP D DE D/S
1Bria Golemkirtland966002621.30
2Ella Haynrootstown79522986.60
3Lola LoncarLake Catholic91458029.80
4Sam WheelerNDCL8145615.60
5Molly Flyntfairview81395021.60
6Maddie BowerBerkshire77386052.70
7Ellie Spencerkirtland963781711.10
8Adelyn Grantcardinal8137604.60
9Haylee Rhodesedgewood67345014.40
10Ava Garrettmentor7533504.60

Ball Handling

AST
1Summer Matthewsedgewood715
2Lucy Kleppercardinal650
3Makayla KoenigRiverside632
4Keira Schaabwest geauga594
5Mira SiebertGilmour Academy548
6Chloe Kingfairview526
7Annabel Robertsmayfield512
8Emily Grubichkenston499
9Ryley MurphyNDCL491
10Emily DunavantLake Catholic477
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP AST AST/S BHA BHE
1Summer Matthewsedgewood6771526.401,70872
2Lucy Kleppercardinal816508.002,18211
3Makayla KoenigRiverside666329.601,4851
4Keira Schaabwest geauga775947.901,6530
5Mira SiebertGilmour Academy7954841.701,47914
6Chloe Kingfairview7852631.1000
7Annabel Robertsmayfield805126.401,4675
8Emily Grubichkenston944995.301,4170
9Ryley MurphyNDCL514919.601,5191
10Emily DunavantLake Catholic9047728.901,80020

Serve Receiving

RR
1Bria Golemkirtland546
2Lola LoncarLake Catholic514
3Taysha Riveralakeside494
4Ella Haynrootstown489
5Cora Bracegeneva479
6Adelyn Grantcardinal477
7Madeline SteenJefferson462
8Reannan Konopkabrooklyn450
9Sophie Caminochardon436
10Kara Selbykenston435
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SP RR RE R/S
1Bria Golemkirtland965464016.80
2Lola LoncarLake Catholic915143329.10
3Taysha Riveralakeside81494717.50
4Ella Haynrootstown79489818.30
5Cora Bracegeneva834794113.60
6Adelyn Grantcardinal81477385.90
7Madeline SteenJefferson80462525.80
8Reannan Konopkabrooklyn734501106.20
9Sophie Caminochardon76436435.70
10Kara Selbykenston89435546.00
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