Fall sports enters September with 27 girls athletes to watch

There's been plenty of success among girls programs throughout the Muskingum Valley and Coshocton and Guernsey counties.

Several Muskingum Valley League soccer and volleyball teams have qualified for regional tournament in the past three seasons, highlighted by Meadowbrook volleyball's back-to-back Final Four appearances.

More: Another chance to vote for the Fall Sports Boys Athlete of the Week

More: Plenty of strong performances among our nominees for Girls Athlete of the Week

Here's our look at 27 of the top female athletes, as the fall season hits full swing in September.

Volleyball

River View junior Haley Balo and sophomore Kelsie Smith — The duo was vital to River View's run to the regional tournament last season, and both are key parts for a roster without a senior. Balo, a Third Team All-Ohio selection, had 444 kills but is recovering from a major offseason injury, while Smith runs the offense (785 assists last season to lead the MVL) and brings strong serving with 63 aces a year ago.

New Lexington juniors Chloe Dick, Gracie Newlon and Jorja Burkhart — The trio has shown their capabilities early with a win over River View to open the season. Dick, the MVL Small School Offensive Player of the Year, tallied 327 kills and 270 digs and should be a force at the net. Newlon anchors the defense after making more than 300 digs, and Burkhart is steady running the offense, setting out nearly 800 assists.

Meadowbrook senior Katie Stoney and junior Journey Nicola — The Colts' tandem played critical roles in last season's Final Four run. Stoney returns as the main presence at the net after collecting more than 240 kills and 40 blocks, while Nicola's defensive effort keeps points alive. She had more than 540 digs in being named the MVL Small School Division Defensive Player of the Year.

Tri-Valley junior Ingrid Dittmar — A First Team All-MVL honoree has been solid running the Scotties’ offense for two years. She has nearly 1,500 assists in her first two years, and her ability to set up hitters will give Tri-Valley a chance to compete in the MVL and district this season.

John Glenn senior Lauren Blair — The All-MVL Big School Division First Team selection is a steady offensive force for the Muskies. She set up 685 assists and is closing on 2,000 for her career. Her skill is key for a John Glenn squad relying on several underclassmen.

Sheridan seniors Dylan Fox and Payton Powell — The Generals remain in contention behind several seniors, highlighted by Fox and Powell. Both are All-MVL honorees after combining for nearly 900 assists and more than 400 digs. Their all-around play has Sheridan in position for another league title and postseason run.

Coshocton seniors Lacey Guthrie and Kenidi Jackson — The first team MVL selections will be the main attackers for a senior-laden squad. A year ago, they combined for 450 kills, while Jackson had more than 230 digs and Guthrie served 42 aces. Coshocton went 11-13 last year but is expecting a better season with a veteran roster.

Others to watch: Morgan seniors Blair Clawson and Evelyn Newton; Philo seniors Aleigha Busse and Addyson Khune; Rosecrans senior Maddi Pugh; John Glenn junior Faith Saxton; West Muskingum senior Olivia Drabik; Sheridan seniors Halle Warner and Ava Heller; Tri-Valley juniors Annika Collet and Iris Lacy; Ridgewood junior Skylar Wright; Crooksville seniors Brynn Lundell and Maelee Collins; Buckeye Trail junior Anna McVicker; Cambridge sophomore Bailey Anderson.

Soccer

Rosecrans senior Sydnee Maxwell — The two-time All-Ohio First Team selection and East District Division III Player of the Year is one of the area's best. She is closing in on 100 career goals, but also can distribute with more than 30 career assists. She was named NSSCA All Region, will be a scholarship player for DePaul University and has exceled with the Ohio Premier Elite Club National League team for the past five seasons.

John Glenn senior Riley Zamensky and junior Faith Lemon — Zamensky, a Second Team All-Ohio honoree, tallied 32 goals with 12 assists, and Lemon, the MVL Keeper of the Year, aided the Muskies run to the MVL and district titles. Zamensky, who is fighting through a knee injury, remains one of the top players with her vision and passing, while Lemon's presence in net solidifies the John Glenn defense.

Tri-Valley junior Maddie Garber — The dynamic midfielder, a three-year starter and two-year captain, can see and read the field well. The Division I East District Player of the Year is very strong on the ball, utilizing that to find the open space for herself and her teammates. The First Team MVL selection has led Tri-Valley in goals and assist in each of her first two seasons.

River View senior Alyssa Fox — Fox is one the area’s most versatile players. She scored 22 goals on her way to being named Second Team All-Ohio and First Team All-District The MVL Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year has the ability to find the net often, giving the Lady Bears a chance each time they take the field.

Sheridan freshman Brenna Moorehead — The youngster has announced her presence early on in the season with five goals and two assists in three games. The Generals are on the rise as a program and having a consistent striker makes them a formidable foe in the MVL.

Others to watch: Sheridan senior Mikenna Schiele; Coshocton seniors Sophia Skelton and Courtney Snider and freshman Zoey Tumblin; New Lexington senior Lilah Carson and junior Makenzy McCoy; John Glenn senior Jillian 'Bean' Sowers and junior Estelle Matheney; River View seniors Audrey Border and Kylie Miller; Ridgewood junior Keira Schrock and sophomore Kathryn Kelley; Zanesville senior Ayanna Stewart and junior Aubri Cooke; Rosecrans senior Lillie Dosch; Philo sophomores Emily Stockdale and Victoria Ligon.

Cross country

Sheridan sophomore Sheriden Glanemann — Glanemann followed up a strong middle school career by claiming the MVL title as a freshman. She reached the state meet last season, coming in 101st out of 179 runners in Division II. Glanemann has started strong this season, finishing 14th among mostly Division I runners at the Pickerington North Invitational. The Generals have added depth and with a solid No. 1, the team should contend for a state berth.

John Glenn sophomore Ashlynn Kuklica — Kuklica was the MVL and district runner-up and went on to finish 43rd in the state in Division II. She opened this season strong with a win in the Silver Division of the Pickerington North Invite. There is plenty of strong competition in the league, but Kuklica should be right there to contend for the title.

Tri-Valley senior Taylor Crozier — The former MVL champion has high aspirations in her final year as a Scottie. She came in third last season in the league and has to go through a rugged Division I in the postseason. Crozier has been steady and will look to end her career at state after finishing 31st in the regional last year.

Meadowbrook junior Karrah Singleton — The Colts were right on Sheridan's heels to be the top overall team in the MVL, and Singleton played a critical role for her team. She finished fourth at the league meet and carried that to a solid postseason with a sixth at the district. She came in 79th in the state and hopes to improve on that finish and help Meadowbrook qualify as a team.

Ridgewood junior Kenzie Bice — Coming off a strong track season where she reached the state meet, Bice hopes to carry that momentum into cross country. She is a two-time regional qualifier and nearly helped the Generals reach the regional meet as a team. Bice finished 30th in the regional and has the ability to make that leap to state qualifier this season.

Others to watch: Sheridan seniors Nora Covey and Beckett Strong and freshmen Adriana Pack, Dee Riley and Ella Connors; Meadowbrook senior Marabelle Thornberry; Crooksville junior Hannah Sheets; Tri-Valley sophomore Erin Hogue; West Muskingum sophomore Ayla Mowrey

Golf

Ridgewood freshman Brynn Harstine: Harstine has been the medalist numerous times for a Generals' squad starting to emerge as a program. Her play provides a solid No. 1 that Ridgewood can build around this year.

River View junior Kortnee Mickle: Mickle continues a string of strong golfers at River View. She finished in the top 15 at last year's district as a sophomore and is now established as the team's No. 1 this season.

Meadowbrook junior Alyx Leach: Leach helped the Colts reach the district tournament last season and has been impressive early. Her best effort was shooting a career-best 34 at Wildfire in mid-August.

Others to watch: Ridgewood's Jacey Hess; Meadowbrook's Layla Gray; John Glenn's Libbee Baughman and Lily Hoffman; Tri-Valley's Gwyn DalPonte; Philo's Taiylor Winland; Sheridan's Haven Jenkins.

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Fall sports enters September with 27 girls athletes to watch