I couldn't wait anylonger. I had to start the conversation about vollyeball's upcoming season. What a better way to do that than to rank, which seems to ruffle feathers and start debate instantaneously! The first round starts with Division 4. Keep in mind these are the rankings before the preseason rankings which are before the start of my annual REAL rankings. These are just food for thought. Feel free to comment on them in the comments section!
DIVISION 4
1. Marion Local (Seems to make sense to start off with the best team in D4 last season and the defending state champion. They had some stars graduate, but the tradition and plenty of talent remain.)
2. Jackson Center (They weren't impressive in the final four last season, but they were a pretty impressive team overall during the regular season. They should be right there again.)
3. Norwalk St. Paul (An established program in D4 volleyball that seems to keep churning out talent since bursting onto the scene with their first state title. )
4. Sidney Lehman Catholic (Another established program that was easily handled by Jackson Center in regional finals last season. Always a guarantee to make regionals, but can they make their way back to state?)
5. New Bremen (Last season they surprised everyone with their strong showing. Started to fade towards seasons end, but were young. Should be in contention for the MAC title and should challenge Marion Local. Can they finally break out of the tough MAC sectional and make it to regionals and perhaps state?)
6. Newark Catholic (Tradition rich and underappreciated last season. Made it to state, but were easily handled. Still a strong team and should be towards the top.)
7. Minster (Another MAC team and another surprising team last season. Can they continue to improve and get back to the glory days?)
8. Delphos St. John's (I may be stepping out on a limb here as they are traditionally one of the worst teams in the tough MAC conference, but they just had a strong showing in Lehman's summer tourney and they had a run to the district finals last season and took ML to four games. Could be their season to make a statement and finish in the top 3 or 4 of the MAC.)
9. Hopewell-Loudon (Not the H-L teams of the past, but made a good run last season. Won't contend for a state appearance or anything, but good enough to win their league and make another run to regional finals perhaps.)
10. Twin Valley South (Did well last season. Can they continue?)
The rest:
11. Leipsic
12. Kidron Central Christian
13. New Knoxville
14. Sycamore Mohawk
15. Lancaster Fisher Catholic
16. New Riegel
17. South Charleston Southeastern
18. Lordstown
19. Reedsville Eastern
20. Convoy Crestview
21. Kalida
22. Ashtabula St. John & Paul
23. Berlin Hiland
24. Tuscarawas Central Catholic
25. Portsmouth Clay
26. Edon
27. Ayersville
28. Fort Recovery
29. Monroeville
30. Old Fort
The Class of DIV: Marion Local, Jackson Center, NSP, New Bremen, Lehman Catholic
Sleepers: Delphos St. John's, Minster, Hopewell-Loudon, Newark Catholic
Don't be surprised if: We see Marion Local and NSP play again for the state title
Last Five State Champs:
2007: Marion Local
2006: Norwalk St. Paul
2005:Sidney Lehman Catholic
2004: St. Henry
2003: Centerburg
2002: Norwalk St. Paul
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5 comments:
I know Minster has the talent, but they will possibly be off to a slow start because they will be under a new coach. They will need time adjusting to a new system once a coach is hired. This could hurt them in the MAC!
Thanks for the info on Minster. I had no idea Jennifer Craft was no longer the coach.
Hopewell Loudon did not have the best showing at their own tourney today. Pleasant (D3) came out on top, they looked solid. Tiffin Columbian (D2) was second with Antwerp (D4) rounding out the top three in the Gold. Antwerp only had 7 girls there today, but looked strong.
As far as some of the other teams in your top 30 Leipsic is returning a lot and who knows what they could do this season. Ayersville lost Kristen Nicely, their everything, they also lost their coach Melanie Reihart who took the position at Bryan. So, could be a big adjusting time for them. I would say D4 looks a little more wide open than last season when everyone knew that the state title was Marion Local's destiny.
Keep your eye on Gilead Christian D4 they have 4 starter returning coming off a 20-5 season and a district runner up.
Tuscarawas Central Catholic has
Molly Lawless, Setter/MH, Junior
5’8”, Member of 16 National Team Ohio Elite Volleyball who had a 5th place finish in the 16 National Division of the Junior Olympic volleyball championships
2007 – Honorable Mention All-Ohio, First Team District 5, First Team IVC, District Runner-Ups, 307 Kills, 379 Assists
399 Career Kills
Millie Patchan – MH/S, Sophomore
,5’9”
2007 - Honorable Mention District 5, Honorable Mention IVC, District Runner-Ups, 201 Kills
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