#9KIRTLAND HORNETS Volleyball

No. 9 Kirtland rallied after dropping the opening set to beat Berkshire in four Tuesday, avenging an earlier loss and strengthening its hold on first place in the CVC Valley Division.

Edgewood can finish off the CVC Lake Division race, Willoughby South can take a major step toward the Chagrin crown and several other championship battles will shift during a loaded week of volleyball.

Kirtland survived a furious Chagrin Falls comeback and claimed a 15-12 victory in the decisive fifth set to complete the season sweep of the Tigers and strengthen its position atop the CVC Valley Division race.

Edgewood has won 11 straight, NDCL nine and Gilmour eight as the volleyball season pushes deeper into league play. A look at the latest OhioVarsity Power Rankings, state poll, conference races and statistical leaders.

Seven OhioVarsity-area volleyball teams earned recognition in the OHSVBCA Week 2 state poll, led by No. 4 Lake Catholic, No. 4 Gilmour Academy and No. 8 Kirtland. A look at the OV Power Rankings and local stat leaders adds context to where the area’s best teams stand.

Kirtland relied on relentless defense and an all-around performance from Ellie Spencer to sweep Lutheran West, 25-22, 25-23, 25-18, and improve to 12-1.

Kirtland wasted little time putting its first loss of the season behind it. The Hornets swept Lakeside, 25-16, 25-15, 25-15, on Monday to improve to 10-1 and begin a stretch of four matches in five days.

The Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association released its Week 1 state rankings, with several Northeast Ohio programs ranked or receiving votes across all seven divisions.

A loaded week of volleyball features ranked showdowns, league battles and some of the hottest teams in Northeast Ohio. Here are the matches to circle from Sept. 14-20.

Berkshire answered every Kirtland challenge Wednesday night, forcing a fifth set with a 28-26 victory in the fourth before edging the Hornets 16-14 in the decisive set.

Kirtland remained unbeaten and moved alone atop the CVC Valley Division as Ellie Spencer's 18 kills powered the Hornets to a four-set win over Chagrin Falls.

Unbeaten Kirtland hosts streaking Chagrin Falls on Sept. 8 in a matchup of 2-0 league teams carrying a combined 14 straight victories.

A look at the hottest Volleyball teams, including active winning streaks, who they have beaten and the games coming up next.

Kirtland volleyball served 25 aces in a 25-7, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of Wickliffe to improve to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in CVC Valley Division play.

Kirtland remained unbeaten and recorded its first sweep of the season with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 victory over Madison.

Kirtland defeated North in five sets behind 18 kills and 20 digs from Ellie Spencer and a 99-dig defensive effort.

Kirtland Volleyball rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat Cuyahoga Heights in five sets, improving to 2-0 on the season.

Kirtland overcame a rough opening set and used strong serving to defeat Fairview, 3-1, in Tuesday’s volleyball season opener.

Meet the top returning volleyball players for 2026 across the area, including All-Ohio standouts, all-conference selections and rising stars by position.

Kirtland earned every bit of its trip to the Division VI district championship with a gritty five-set win over No. 7 LaBrae.