OHSAA girls volleyball: Olentangy Orange, Hartley enter state tourney with confidence
Olentangy Orange and Hartley are seeking central Ohio’s first girls volleyball state championship since 2019, when DeSales defeated Parma Padua 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22 in the Division I final.
Competing in its first state tournament, Orange plays Toledo St. Ursula in a Division I semifinal at 2 p.m. Friday.
Hartley, which has reached state for the ninth time, faces Gates Mills Gilmour in a Division II semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The tournament will be played at Wright State’s Nutter Center. Championship matches are Saturday.
Olentangy Orange breaks through regional barrier
After losing in their first four appearances in a regional final, the Pioneers (25-3) earned a state berth by beating previously undefeated Dublin Scioto 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 on Saturday at Hilliard Darby.
Coach Katie Duy, who is in her ninth season at Orange, has been on this stage before.
Duy was an assistant coach at Padua, her alma mater, when the Bruins won Division II state titles in 2008 and 2009 and at Hartley when the Hawks won the Division II championship in 2011. She also was an assistant at Gilmour when it finished second in Division III in 2010.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around and learn from some really great coaches throughout my coaching career,” Duy said.
St. Ursula (19-8) is competing in its 13th state tournament. It won titles in 2010 and 2004.
“St. Ursula has a great offense led by a fantastic setter in (senior) Lucy Mott, who is going to Boston College, and great ball control led by a very talented libero in (junior) Devin Dzienny, a Florida recruit,” Duy said. “They play a tough schedule and are well coached.”
The winner plays Kings Mills Kings (26-1) or Cleveland St. Joseph Academy (23-4) in the state final at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Orange has received a balanced effort this season, led by seniors Lily Barron (outside hitter/defensive specialist) and Maddie Cugino (libero/outside hitter). Barron has 301 kills, 268 digs, 31 aces, 26 assists and 26 blocks, and Cugino has 223 kills, 343 digs, 64 aces, 22 blocks and 19 assists.
“I’ve never been a part of a team with this much determination,” Cugino said. “I love it so much. I have no doubt that we’ll go far.”
Sophomore setter Izzy Scholvin has 758 assists.
“The kids work hard, and they’ve bought in since August,” Duy said. “The senior class is very mature. They’re very experienced. They’re very calm. They’re leaders and they’ve been battle-tested in not only high school but club as well. They’ve played in those big matches. They’ve stepped up in practice since August. We’ve pushed them hard.”
Hartley to face familiar opponent in state semifinal
Hartley (22-6) is seeking its first state championship since 2011. The Hawks were runners-up in 2018, 2016, 2014 and 2007.
“It’s a great feeling to be in the (state tournament) again,” said coach Mike Rahe, who is also the school's athletic director. “This is very special for this group of amazing young ladies. All year, we have said this group has heart and really cares for all the members of this program. Together, they can accomplish anything.”
Gilmour (17-10) is appearing in its 13th state tournament. The Lancers finished second last season, but won titles in 2020 and 2015.
Hartley lost to Gilmour 18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 in a regional final last season and 25-18, 23-25, 24-26, 25-15, 15-8 in a regional semifinal in 2020.
Senior setter/right-side hitter Kaylee Musick doesn’t want a third postseason loss to Gilmour in four years.
“We really want to beat them because we’ve lost twice to them,” she said. “They have pretty young players, but they’re very athletic. They’re very versatile.”
The winner plays Alliance Marlington (24-3) or Cincinnati Mercy McAuley (23-4) in the state final at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Hartley advanced by beating Marietta 25-12, 25-15, 25-4 in a regional final Saturday at Heath.
Musick leads the Hawks with 240 kills and has contributed 271 assists, 122 digs, 40 aces and 36 blocks. She also was a setter on the 2021 Hartley team that lost to St. Bernard Roger Bacon 25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-12 in a state semifinal.
“It feels amazing to be back in the state tournament,” Musick said. “This year’s team has a lot of heart in them and we have a little bit more experience and maturity.”
Other top contributors include sophomore setter/outside hitter Mallory Matheny (433 assists), senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Jada Shade (208 kills) and sophomore libero/defensive specialist Karah O'Malley (313 digs).
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA girls volleyball: Olentangy Orange, Hartley set for state
