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Greater Akron high school volleyball teams to watch at midseason

Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal
·8 min read
Hoban junior Sophia Day sets the ball for a teammate during a Division II district semifinal against CVCA on Oct. 26, 2022, in Tallmadge.
Hoban junior Sophia Day sets the ball for a teammate during a Division II district semifinal against CVCA on Oct. 26, 2022, in Tallmadge.

The high school volleyball regular season is at about the midway point as teams in the Greater Akron area continue to prepare for the postseason.

The league races are heating up across the area.

Firestone and Ellet are the favorites in the City Series.

Aurora, Revere, Copley, Highland, Tallmadge, Wadsworth, Brecksville, North Royalton, Twinsburg and Hudson are in contention for a Suburban League championship.

Highland coach Laura Merk celebrates a point during the second set of a Division I regional semifinal against Amherst on Nov. 3, 2022, in Norwalk.
Highland coach Laura Merk celebrates a point during the second set of a Division I regional semifinal against Amherst on Nov. 3, 2022, in Norwalk.

The class of the Metro Athletic Conference are Coventry, Cloverleaf, Norton and Woodridge.

Jackson is atop the Federal League. Triway and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy lead the Principals Athletic Conference.

Then there are independents Archbishop Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary and Walsh Jesuit of the Crown Conference who have the talent to make a postseason run. Hoban is undefeated.

Check out 10 teams in Greater Akron — five in Division I and five in Division II — to keep an eye on:

Division I volleyball teams to watch in Greater Akron

Hoban's Macie Mintz gets under a ball during a Division II sectional against Glenville on Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.
Hoban's Macie Mintz gets under a ball during a Division II sectional against Glenville on Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.

Archbishop Hoban (12-0)

Core players: Amber Watson, jr.; Skylar Schmidt, jr.; Ava Norfolk, jr.; Bailey Prince, soph.; Kathleen Jones, soph.; Mary Hottinger, jr.; Sophia Day, sr.; Madison Mintz, soph.; Macie Mintz, soph.; Kalie Watson, soph.; Ava Norton, jr.

Wins this season: Austintown Fitch, Highland, Woodridge, Stow, Canfield, Twinsburg, Parma Padua, Aurora, Green, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Lake and Walsh Jesuit

Worth noting: Day is the lone senior in Hoban's rotation for Jim Maloof, who is in his second season as coach at his alma mater. The Knights finished 20-5 last year as seniors Molly Kennedy, Madison Moegerle, Giana Mutersbaugh, Anna Rumler and Haleigh Schulda led the way to a Division II district runner-up finish.

Highland's Izzy Shank hits the ball over the net during a Division I regional semifinal against Amherst on Nov. 3, 2022, in Norwalk.
Highland's Izzy Shank hits the ball over the net during a Division I regional semifinal against Amherst on Nov. 3, 2022, in Norwalk.

Highland (7-4, 6-2 Suburban League American Conference)

Core players: Ashley Shefferly, jr.; Izzy Shank, sr.; Maya Piechowiak, sr.; Sydney Smith, sr.;, Kamryn Heldreth, soph.; Carley Niese, soph.; Savanna Geffert, jr.

Wins this season: Revere, Copley, Tallmadge, Medina, Barberton, Kent Roosevelt and Cuyahoga Falls

Worth noting: Coach Laura Merk guided Highland to a memorable season last year that included a 23-4 overall record, a 14-0 mark in the Suburban League American Conference, a Division I district championship and a regional final appearance. Graduated standouts Alayna Tessena (Northern Colorado) and Megan Scavuzzo led the 2022 Highland team. Shank, a Walsh University recruit, is a leader in 2023. Highland split with Copley and also lost to Brunswick, Hoban and Aurora.

Revere's Jessa Randall spikes the ball in a Division II district semifinal against Triway on Oct. 27, 2021, in Tallmadge.
Revere's Jessa Randall spikes the ball in a Division II district semifinal against Triway on Oct. 27, 2021, in Tallmadge.

Revere (14-2, 6-2 Suburban League American Conference)

Core players: Georgia Stenger, sr.; Jessa Randall, jr.; Bella Soful, sr.; Fiona Cooper, sr.; Sam Dehrmann, soph.; Ana Zlojutro, sr.; Lilly Wojtala, sr.; Tessa Milicia, soph.

Wins this season: Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Brecksville, Copley, Strongsville, Aurora, Buckeye, Bexley, Marion Pleasant, Cardington-Lincoln, Cuyahoga Falls, Tallmadge, Barberton, Struthers and Kent Roosevelt

Worth noting: Alanna Ramsey, a 2020 Revere graduate, is in her first year as head coach. Cooper is committed to play volleyball at Wright State University. Revere has split with Aurora and also lost to Highland. Revere went 15-8 overall and 8-5 in league play last season with senior leaders Jackie Randall and Presley Baker.

Twinsburg's Julia Rodic keeps the ball in play during Division I district semifinal against Walsh Jesuit on Oct. 25, 2022, in Solon.
Twinsburg's Julia Rodic keeps the ball in play during Division I district semifinal against Walsh Jesuit on Oct. 25, 2022, in Solon.

Twinsburg (8-3, 6-2 Suburban League National Conference)

Core players: Kelsey Williams, soph.; Julia Rodic, sr.; Brooke Smith, sr.; Deziray Grimes, jr.; Genevieve Talentino, sr.; Taylor Pucky, soph.; Claire Grosel, sr.; Emmersyn Muth, sr.

Wins this season: North Royalton, Hudson, Nordonia, Solon, Stow, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, Painesville Riverside and Wadsworth

Worth noting: The Tigers are off to a nice start under coach Jessica Rader after compiling a 19-5 overall record and earning a share of the SLNC title with a 9-3 mark last year. Graduated senior Hailey Williams led Twinsburg to a Division I district semifinal appearance last year. Twinsburg split with Wadsworth this season and also has losses to Hoban and Brecksville.

Twinsburg's Kendall Matlock, left, and Brooke Smith block a hit by Walsh Jesuit's Katherine Trzcinski during a Division I district semifinal on Oct. 25, 2022, in Solon.
Twinsburg's Kendall Matlock, left, and Brooke Smith block a hit by Walsh Jesuit's Katherine Trzcinski during a Division I district semifinal on Oct. 25, 2022, in Solon.

Wadsworth (11-1, 7-1 Suburban League National Conference)

Core players: Lauren Decker, soph.; Rachel Dunkle, sr.; Avery Nicholson, sr.; Maddie Blackburn, jr.; Bree Stoner, sr.; Karley Allwood, jr.; Olivia Beldean, sr.; Brooke Manfull, sr.; Lydia Wiita, sr.

Wins this season: Twinsburg, Brecksville, Hudson, Nordonia, Stow, North Royalton, Solon, Walsh Jesuit, Brunswick, Amherst Steele and GlenOak

Worth noting: Allyson Wines is in her first year as Wadsworth coach. The Grizzlies split with Twinsburg. Ellie Zuro and Alyx Snyder graduated off last year's team that went 17-9 and earned a share of the SLNC title with a 9-3 record. Sisters Rowan Kelly, a sophomore, and Reese Kelly, a junior, transferred to Wadsworth from STVM this year and played in the first 11 matches. Per OHSAA rules, they have to sit out the second half of the season.

Lurking: Hudson (4-6, 3-4 SLNC) and Walsh Jesuit (3-8, 1-3 Crown Conference). Both teams have losing records this season against very challenging schedules, but have players with big-game experience. Hudson coach Brad Disandis led last year's team to a Division I district championship and a regional semifinal appearance. Hudson features 6-foot-3 senior Natalie Robinson (Rutgers), 6-2 senior Sydney Waller (Samford) and 6-0 senior Ella Iriarte (Duquesne) this season. Walsh has been a Division I district runner-up in each of the past two seasons under coach Kyra Coundourides, and is led by seniors Katherine Trzcinski (Buffalo) and Gabrielle Grdina (Clarion).

Division II volleyball teams to watch in Greater Akron

Copley's Katey Firestine returns a serve against Highland on Sept. 20, 2022, in Hinckley.
Copley's Katey Firestine returns a serve against Highland on Sept. 20, 2022, in Hinckley.

Copley (10-4, 5-3 Suburban League American Conference)

Core players: Katey Firestine, sr.; Alexa Strandberg, sr.; Kalynn Stoner, soph.; Annie Quinlan, soph.; Josie Tielsch, sr.; Meryn Stacy, soph.; Angelina Cerra, soph.; Ava Teixeira, fr.; Abby Klein, sr.

Wins this season: Bay Village Bay, Highland, Canton Central Catholic, Lake, Tallmadge, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt, Warren Howland, Barberton

Worth noting: Copley advanced to a Division II district semifinal last season under coach Antoine Pastor. Copley graduated a talented senior group in Shelby Emich, Kayla Kemer, Izzy Greene, Lydia Pavlovich, Allie Poundstone and Lena Conzaman that led the way to a 17-7 season. Strandberg has committed to play volleyball at the University of South Alabama. This season, Copley has split with Bay and Highland, both district champions last year, and has also lost to Aurora and Revere.

CVCA sophomore Hallie Hendrickx hits the ball back over the net during a Division II sectional against STVM on Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.
CVCA sophomore Hallie Hendrickx hits the ball back over the net during a Division II sectional against STVM on Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (13-1, 6-1 PAC-7)

Core players: Reese Donahoe, jr.; Hallie Hendrickx, jr.; Jenna Shedden, jr.; Ellie Zoeckler, jr.; McKenzie Neal, jr.; Evy Durant, soph.; Bria Buccarelli, sr.; Mariah Howell, fr.

Wins this season: Manchester twice, Stow, Aurora, Tuslaw, Woodridge, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt, Orrville, Canton South, Northwest, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Coventry once apiece

Worth noting: CVCA coach Brian McKnight bid farewell to seniors Sam Durant, Grace Watterson, Camryn Berdysz, Courtney Bland and Gabby Larison off last season's 16-9 team that made a Division II district semifinal appearance. The lone loss this season is to Triway.

CVCA sophomore Reese Donahoe, left, hits the ball past STVM senior Myah Hammond during a Division II sectional Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.
CVCA sophomore Reese Donahoe, left, hits the ball past STVM senior Myah Hammond during a Division II sectional Oct. 19, 2022, in Akron.

Norton (9-5, 6-1 Metro Athletic Conference)

Core players: Sophia Borelle, sr.; Saoirse Donley, soph.; Mallory Bird, jr.; Hailey Williams, sr.; Alyza Walker, sr.; Eden Starr, jr.; Lauren Petit, jr.; Lily Flohr, fr.; Haley Sanderson, fr.; Alivia Goff, fr.; Jenna Ford; Kennedy Cooper, jr.

Wins this season: Coventry, Streetsboro, Orrville, Manchester, Springfield, Barberton, Cloverleaf, Field and Ravenna

Worth noting: Leslie Flohr is in her first season as Norton coach. Her daughter, Catie Flohr, is a freshman player at Seton Hill University after sharing MAC Player of the Year honors last season. Catie Flohr, Jaedyn Hirst and Fallon Donley graduated off Norton's Division II district runner-up team from last season that went 20-5 overall and 12-2 in the MAC. This year's team has losses to Smithville, GlenOak, Chippewa, Woodridge and Canton Central Catholic.

Tallmadge's Lexi Gray sets a ball against Highland on Aug. 30, 2022, in Tallmadge.
Tallmadge's Lexi Gray sets a ball against Highland on Aug. 30, 2022, in Tallmadge.

Tallmadge (9-5, 4-4 Suburban League American Conference)

Core players: Sammy Blatt, sr.; Lexi Gray, sr.; Lily Bond, jr.; Audrey Eyre, jr.; Ellie Gilliland, jr.; Kara Marino, jr.; Leila Staszak, jr. Traymia Agnewel, soph.; Hailey Harp, fr.

Wins this season: Barberton twice and Stow, Kent Roosevelt, Woodridge, Ellet, Streetsboro, Cloverleaf, Cuyahoga Falls once apiece

Worth noting: Coach Josh Stewart has two senior leaders in Blatt and Gray after Ella Bee, Maya Dexter, Hannah Eyre and Zoe Rensel were the senior leaders last year on a 16-8 team that was a Division II district semifinalist. Gray and Staszak were starters on the Tallmadge softball team that won the Division II state championship in June. Tallmadge's losses are to Green, Highland, Revere, Aurora and Copley.

Woodridge's Catie Patterson bumps the ball back over the net during a match at Coventry on Sept. 7, 2021, in Coventry Township.
Woodridge's Catie Patterson bumps the ball back over the net during a match at Coventry on Sept. 7, 2021, in Coventry Township.

Woodridge (8-7, 6-2 Metro Athletic Conference)

Core players: Catie Patterson, jr.; CeCe Patterson, jr.; Hope Donnelly, sr.; Grace Lightner, sr.; Braewyn Hammontree, sr.; Kaitlyn Shipbaugh, jr.; Brynn Doty, jr. Sydney Blower, soph.

Wins this season: Norton, Manchester, Cuyahoga Falls, Springfield, Streetsboro, Ravenna, Field and Coventry

Worth noting: Woodridge first-year coach Tyler Price inherited a solid returning core, including the Patterson twin sisters, off a 13-9 team from last season. The Bulldogs' losses this season are to Stow, Hoban, Tallmadge, Coventry, Cloverleaf, St. Vincent-St. Mary and CVCA.

Lurking: Coventry (7-8, 5-3 MAC). The Comets feature seniors Emmie Morrison, Madison Burkhart and Monica Nyi under coach Courtney Bradford. Coventry went 18-6 last season and 14-0 in league play for the fourth year in a row.

Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school volleyball: Greater Akron teams to watch at midseason