The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
What to watch for this season in volleyball
Lake Catholic is looking to return to the state tournament in Fairborn under a new coach. Plus, players, teams and matches to watch, and rosters for area teams.
Two years ago, anything but a trip to the state tournament would’ve been a shock to the Lake Catholic community.
Last season, the 2017 Cougars surprised everyone with a return to the floor at Wright State. That year, Lake Catholic needed to replace its “dream team” from a year prior.
Now captains Ashley Browske, Kelsey Whalen and Kylie Snyder lead a group of core players who return from last year’s team. Those three lead a group that’s played in Fairborn twice and experienced the Cougars’ status of favorite in 2016 and underdog in 2017.
“I think everybody, this year, has the drive,” Whalen said. “If we get back there, which I think we will, hope we will, I think everyone has the mindset they’re going to play to win, all the time.”
Although the Cougars don’t need to replace four Division I college players like they did a year ago, there’s still a stark difference.
Rob Cline now sits on the sideline. He takes the place of Rich Severino, who retired from Lake Catholic with more than 500 career wins after last season.
“Most of Rob’s style is focusing on stats and how many errors we can make in a set compared to the other team,” Browske said. “We have to actually be aware of what we’re doing compared to the other team in order to compete with them.”
Cline’s been encouraged early by his team’s effort. He wants the Cougars to add consistency.
Among his players, Cline knows Lake Catholic needs more weapons to complement Browske, a Pitt commit, and her senior classmates. The Cougars’ offense is in the experienced hands of junior setter Katy Yopko, a Northern Kentucky commit and two-year starter.
Browske was a third team All-Ohio and first team alldistrict selection as a junior. She recorded 3.4 kills and 4.7 digs per set last season. Yopko split setting duties with Annie Cvelbar and averaged 4.1 assists per set.
Senior Mallory Lough, a UMass Lowell commit, enters her third year of varsity play. Junior Taylor Resetar played a part in last year’s rotation.
Six-foot-two middle hitter Ainslie McLaughlin stands out as a potential breakout player. McLaughlin joined the starting lineup midway through her sophomore year and her blocking helped Lake Catholic’s state run.
“I don’t even think she’s aware,” Cline said. “To me, even coaching in college and recruiting, I would’ve offered her a scholarship to Kent State. She’s definitely capable. It’s just a matter of if she wants it or not.”
A factor in Lake Catholic’s favor to advance beyond the state semifinal is Padua’s bump up to Division I via competitive balance. The Bruins knocked the Cougars out of the state tournament the past two seasons.
By the time Lake Catholic arrives to the postseason, the Cougars will be well-tested. State powerhouses St. Joseph Academy and Gilmour join the North Coast League this school year, adding to a schedule that already included matchups with Padua, rival Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Beaumont and Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
“The conference is awesome,” Cline said. “I was joking with Rich, if I ever win 500 I’ll have to coach until I’m 100 because the conference is just brutal.”
A regular-season record may not mean much to Lake Catholic.
The Cougars were 1111 before they won five straight matches to claim another regional title.
During the next two months, development of younger players and acclimation to Cline’s coaching are what can help propel another state run.
“We all have this bond together,” Browske said. “We get along super well and when Kelsey said we all have the drive, I totally agree with that. We all have the same goal and we all want to get back there.”