<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3a6wto_0v0ahxdr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3a6wto_0v0ahxdr00" width="837" height="1046" ><figcaption>Gilmour’s Marlie Davis goes for a kill against Bishop Hartley on Nov. 9, 2023. (Nick Falzerano – For The News-Herald)</figcaption></figure>PLAYERS TO WATCH(in alphabetical order)OH Aubrey Anders, Sr., Gimour: Played a strong second fiddle for the Lancers a season ago, as she averaged 3 kills per set. Colgate commit.L Nina Alfieri, Sr., Kirtland: Led a deep back row for the Hornets a season ago, where she racked up 415 digs with a 5.2 average. Also affects the game from the service line with 22 aces.OH Natalya Bergant, Sr., Lake Catholic: A consistent hitter who will be tasked with leading from the pin this season. Averaged three kills last year with 25 aces and can work from the middle, too. Nova Southeastern commit.OH/S Marissa Brock, Sr., NDCL: Did a little bit of everything last season as she averaged 2.2 digs, 4.6 assists and 1.8 kills. Brings a lot of experience to the court for the Lions this season.MB Ava Budrys-Rini, Sr., Lake Catholic: Can impact the game from the middle or outside. Tied for the team high in blocks per set (0.7) and was tied for third in kills (2.4). Walsh commit.S Abby Kolcum, Sr., Chardon: Brings leadership and will be critical in running the offense. Averaged 4.7 assists with 18 aces a season ago. Slippery Rock signee.MB Kayla Channell, Sr., Gilmour: The leader of a deep middle rotation and can play the pin as well. Averaged 0.6 blocks per set with 1.6 kills. Coastal Carolina commit.OH Marlie Davis, Sr., Gilmour: Took control of the Lancers attack a season ago as she recorded 3.8 kills per set a season ago. Also added 2.4 digs and 27 aces as well.DS Mi-Na Diggs, Sr., Gilmour: Is an intricate part of the back row. Last year averaged three digs a set and added 40 aces, can also be a part of the attack when needed. Villanova commit.MB Liz Dunmire, Jr., VASJ: Had a breakout season last year, when she led the team in kills per set (3.6) and averaged a block a game. Also recorded 3.1 digs per set and 27 aces.OH Melody Garrett, Jr., Mentor: Took over the attack for the Cardinals in their run to a regional semifinal. Averaged 3.3 kills and makes an impact in the back row, as she averaged 2.6 digs.L Brie Habeeb, Sr., Gilmour: The vocal leader in the back row, averaged a News-Herald area high 6.1 digs per set a season ago. Also led the team with 59 aces.L Ashley Hansen, So., Cornerstone: Emerged as an anchor in the back row, where she averaged 5.2 digs and racked up 78 aces in a strong freshman campaign.S Ella Jackson, Sr., Gilmour: She’s led the Lancers’ offense for the past three seasons. Averaged 9.2 assists a season ago along with 2.6 digs and 34 aces.S Courtney Johnson, Sr., Riverside: Has become the leader for a young front row. Averaged 9.1 assists a season ago with 2.4 digs, 0.4 blocks and 42 aces.OH Addison Koppelman, Jr., Chardon: Grew a lot as a hitter a season ago being put into a bigger role due to injuries. Averaged 2.2 kills, 2.1 digs and 32 aces.OH Maddie Luciano, Sr., South: Coming off of a strong year as the Rebels’ lead hitter while also creating an impact all over the court. Averaged 3.5 kills, 3.4 digs and a team-high 38 aces.OH Kayden McKinney, Jr., Mentor: Much like Garrett, makes a statement in the front row and can impact the game in the back row. Averaged three kills, 2.5 digs and 29 aces.OH Madison Miner, Sr., Perry: The offense ran through her a season ago, as she averaged a coverage area-high 5.8 kills per set. Also led the team in digs with three and aces 56.OH Emily Monachino, Sr., Hawken: The Swiss army knife helped guide Hawken to the CVC championship a season ago. Led the Hawks in assists (4.6), kills (2.7) and aces (50) while also racking up 3.1 digs and 0.4 blocks.L Julia Oster, Sr., Lake Catholic: Has held down the back row the past two years for the Cougars en route to a pair of state titles. Recorded 3.8 digs and a team high 71 aces. Colgate commit.MB Aria Payne, Sr., Beaumont: Helped lead the resurgent Blue Streaks to a district final appearance. Led the team in kills (3.1) and blocks (0.8) while racking up 39 aces.OH Ali Puruczky, Jr., Cardinal: Led the game from both the front and back row for the Huskies as she led the team with 4.3 digs and four kills along with 31 aces.S Marissa Rish, Sr., Berkshire: In a 5-2 rotation last season, averaged 5.7 assists with 2.7 digs. Also played a part in the attack with 1.7 kills and 44 aces.OFF THE BLOCK• This is the first season of seven divisions. Area powers are scattered throughout, so the chances for runs are plentiful. Division I has four teams from the Northeast districts that advance to regionals. D-II features the most advancement chances with eight. D-III follows with six, D-IV has five, D-V and D-VI have four each and D-VII rounds it out with three.• Many area powers are in different divisions for the upcoming season. Mentor remains D-I, Riverside and Mayfield are in D-II, Gilmour, NDCL, Chardon and Kenston are a part of a loaded D-III, Beaumont and Perry have spots in D-IV, Lake Catholic and Berkshire are in D-V, Kirtland is in a top-heavy D-VI and Cornerstone and Cardinal are in D-VII.• Chardon coach Bryan Sutton is in his first year after being an assistant in the past and the boys coach for the last two seasons. It’s a young group, and Sutton likes the potential.• The battle for the WRC will again be fierce with no clear frontrunner among the six teams.• The CVC Valley will be another battle, with Berkshire and Kirtland at the top of the division and Crestwood and Cardinal right behind them. The Badgers and Hornets split the title a year ago, and the rivalry will take another big step this season.</div></body>

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2024 high school volleyball area watch list

OH Aubrey Anders, Sr., Gimour: Played a strong second fiddle for the Lancers a season ago, as she averaged 3 kills per set. Colgate commit. L Nina Alfieri, Sr., Kirtland: Led a deep back row for the Hornets a season ago, where she racked up 415 digs with a 5.2 average. Also affects the game from the service line with 22 aces.

2024 high school volleyball area watch list

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