High school volleyball: Lake coming off standout season in NBC

A team that went on a long postseason run looks to return to the top of the Northern Buckeye Conference volleyball standings this fall.

Lake (21-7, 13-1) bids for its fifth straight title after sharing the conference title with Eastwood in 2020 and winning the past three championships outright.

The Flyers of coach Amy Vorst made the deepest tournament run in program history in 2023, reaching the Division II regional final before falling 3-1 to eventual state runner-up Gates Mills Gilmour.

They look to contend for another NBC title this year, with Eastwood, Otsego, and Oak Harbor (13-12, 8-6) viewed as the chief competitors for that crown.

Heading up the Flyers' lineup are seniors Sydney Marchetto (defensive specialist) and Sydney Brown (outside hitter), and sophomores Mylah Vorst (middle hitter) and Laynie Meadows (OH).

“We have a solid team this year,” coach Vorst said. “We have a team that loves to compete, and has really learned a lot from the seniors that have graduated. This group really wants to make a name for themselves, and is working hard to improve every day.

“Getting to regional finals was exciting, and it’s a goal we’ve had since I took over the program. It shows our kids that a deep tournament run is realistic.”

Eastwood (22-4, 12-2) was just a tad behind Lake in last year's title chase, and the Eagles of coach Sarah Frank advanced to the Division III district finals before falling 3-2 to Fairview.

Back to lead Eastwood are seniors Lilly Mullholand (MH), Addie Hartman (OH), and Kyrie Henline (setter), along with junior Ivy Schrader (OH), and sophomore Mackenna Miller (OH).

“This is an extremely talented group which is incredibly gritty and wants to win,” Frank said. “Offense is our strength. We have many players who are strong, both in the front and back of the court.”

Otsego (19-7, 10-4) will also be a team to watch after placing third in the NBC in 2023, reaching the Division III district finals before falling to Lake.

The Knights are led by senior Emma Reid (MH), juniors Avery Carpenter (OH) and Cassie Bunde (S), and sophomores Kortny Rollins (OH-DS), Reese Genson (DS-OH), and Molly Kramer (DS).