The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Volleyball watch list
Players to watch
(in alphabetical order) MH Alana Bartulovic, Sr., NDCL: Recorded 51 blocks for the Lions last season, and will be a big contributor for the front line. Was a third team News-Herald all-star.
Libero Emma Briganti, Jr., Lake Catholic: Averaged 4.2digs per set last season, 257total, to keep Cougars rallies alive last year.
OH Kaitlyn Danszczak, Jr., West Geauga: Was named second-team all-CVC last season. Having started on varsity as a freshman, Danszczak has developed the power and speed to make her a threat to score at every opportunity.
Stella DeJohn, Sr., Kirtland: Was a big contributor for the Hornets last season in their run to a regional semifinal. Her performance will once again be the key to the Hornets’ success.
OH Sammie DiBease, Sr., Perry: Her 309 kills and 225 digs helped her be named a second team News-Herald all-star. Her experience will be pivotal for the Pirates’ success.
S Haley Domen, Jr., Cardinal: Domen is a four-year starter for the Huskies and helped them to second place in the CVC Valley Division. Last year, she recorded 545assists and 328digs. Her high volleyball IQ will be crucial for Cardinal to repeat its success.
S Giovanna Farmer, Sr., Wickliffe: Farmer will be counted on for her senior leadership for a young Blue Devils team. Recorded 371 assists last season for a 4.6 average per set last season.
OH Sabrina Gremm, Sr., Gilmour: With a younger team than in years past, Gremm will be counted on as one of the leaders. Recorded 152kills last season.
OH Caroline Jurevicius, Jr., NDCL:
The Nebraska commit is ranked in the top 10in the country of the class of 2023. Her 184 kills helped the Lions reach the state finals for the first time since their back-to-back state championships in 2014-15.
S Hannah Laurich, Sr., West Geauga: Was named first-team all-CVC last season and helped lead the Wolverines to the CVC Chagrin Division championship. Like her teammate Danszczak, Laurich has been starting on varsity since her freshman year and has developed a good volleyball IQ.
OH Alycen Radolovic, Sr., Beaumont: Was a key contributor in the Blue Streaks being one set away from a regional berth last season. Her 145 kills landed helped her be named honorable mention on The News-Herald all-star team.
OH/M Kathryn Randorf, Sr., Gilmour: Randorf is the two-time News-Herald player of the year, and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio last season. The Northwestern commit recorded 200 kills and 73 blocks for the defending state champions.
OH Kate Roche, So., Wickliffe: Saw a lot of playing time as a freshman last season, and will be counted on again for Wickliffe. Averaged 5.3kills per set last season.
OH Caroline Shantery, Sr., Riverside: Was named a second-team News-Herald all-star. Posted 204kills, 170 digs, and 28 aces for the Beavers.
OH Molly Stayer, Sr., Mentor: Stayer was named to the all-GCC first team last season and a third-team News-Herald all-star. Recorded 224 kills last season.
S Eva Wheeler, Sr., NDCL: The Georgia State commit has one of the highest volleyball IQ’s in the area, and averaged 9.4 assists per set last season.
OH Jessica Wilson, Sr., Lake Catholic: Is a senior leader for the Cougars. The Eastern Michigan commit improved her average kills per set from 2.5 as a sophomore to 3.4 as a senior.
Set points
• NDCL and Gilmour reached the Division II state final last season, a five-set thriller that went in favor of the Lancers. The two meet Aug. 26 in a rematch, and a possible preview of a postseason match.
• Kirtland, Lake Catholic and Riverside are also coming off of seasons in which they qualified for the regional round, and look to return. • The CVC Valley will be a tight contest. Kirtland and Cardinal will be right in the thick of it, and if their fiveset district championship match
• West Geauga won its first CVC Chagrin championship in school history. With Danszczak and Laurich back, the Wolverines look poised to repeat.
• It’s a new staff at Lake Catholic this season, as former players and members of the 2010state championship team Kara Oster and Sammy Kline are now head and assistant coach in their first years, respectively.