TOP OF THE CROP

Volleyball

1: Gilmour

2: NDCL

3: Riverside

4: Lake Catholic

5: Beaumont

6: Mentor

7: Mayfield

8: South

9: Perry

10: Kirtland

Watch list: Kenston, North, Geneva, Chagrin Falls, Cardinal

Crop comments: Gilmour begins the 2020 season chasing a return to the Division II state semifinals, where the Lancers lost to eventual state champion Bishop Fenwick in five sets last year. Gilmour has almost everything back from last year, led by Kathryn Randorf, Emmy Klika and Brinn MacLellan, alongside a new weapon in Sabrina Gremm . ... NDCL fell to Gilmour in last year’s regional semifinal and brings back much of its talent from a year ago. Caroline Jurevicius looks to build off an impressive freshman season while Missy Sterkel, Hanna Bissler and Ella Shubert enter their senior seasons . ... Riverside has a senior core led by Jen Sivak, Maddie Herman, Avery Tracz and Kate Tracz looking to break through at the regional level. The Beavers have won the D-I Euclid District in five of the past six seasons . ... Lake Catholic graduated program mainstays in Ainslie McLaughlin, Katy Yopko and Taylor Resetar but has a handful of young players ready to take up their mantle. Jessica Wilson and Norah Vargo lead a group hoping to take back the Jefferson District crown. ... Beaumont returns as an experienced group, highlighted by Darby Leininger and Niagara commit Bella Peroni, after the Blue Streaks had no seniors on last year’s team . ... Mentor graduated a deep senior class, led by D-I players in Caitlin Churney and Maddie Stayer, but the Cardinals should again compete for the Euclid District title . ... Megan Kocsis, Maya Webb and Madeline Sentle are back for Mayfield, which won 16 games in 2019. The Wildcats season is currently suspended after players in the program tested positive for COVID-19 . ... South features one of the area’s top offensive players in Margo Huff and the Rebels are strong in the back row, behind returning libero McKenna Matriano and setter Alli Suttell . ... Perry put together a strong season last year and return Sammie DiBease and Jaelyn Tomoletz to the front row. ... Kirtland won 18 matches last season and brings back almost all of its core, led by Stella DeJohn and Natalie Glowe.