THE PATH TO STATE!

For 32 teams tomorrow there is but one obstacle left in their pathway to the OHSAA State Volleyball Final Four. For some of them they've been down this road before, and while experience and tradition counts, there are no short-cuts once play begins. Here's our roadmap on what to watch for when all 16 matches get underway tomorrow:
In Division One: The Clear Favorite: Cincinnati Ursuline, the #1 team in this division, destroyed Marysville Thursday night to advance, and should breeze by #12 Olentangy, who shocked #4 Dublin Coffman in their semi-final. Olentangy will need a perfect match and an uncharacteristic performance from Ursuline.
The Underdog: Unproven Cloverleaf, ranked #25 in our final poll, advanced by upsetting #21 Mentor. They are unknown and lacking the tradition of other schools at this level, but facing off against #10 Brecksville-Broadsview Heights does not pose an impossible challenge.
Anyone's Guess: A repeat of last season's state final happens will be on display when two GGCL powerhouses face-off for the third time this season. In their previous meetings, #5 Cincinnati Mother of Mercy and #3 Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame split in five game thrillers. Needless to say, only one can return to state this season and there is no clear favorite.
Upset City: #2 Olmsted Falls had many thinking, including us, that they might be able to contend for the state title this season, ending the GGCL's chokehold on the crown. But a lackluster performance against a way-down Toledo St. Ursula team Thursday that almost found them on the losing end showcased the fact that they might not be all they appeared to be earlier in the season. #15 Rocky River Magnificat, seeking a return trip to the final four, might have enough in their arsenals to end Olmsted's dream season.
In Division Two: The Clear Favorite: #19 Kettering Archbishop Alter may not have had the best regular season, but when they rolled over #1 Tipp City Tippecanoe in their semi-final meeting, they proved to everyone that they are made for tourney season. The traditional powerhouse and GGCL team now moves into the role of favored status, especially against little known Logan Elm.
The Underdog: Speaking of Logan Elm, they came out of nowhere! At a respectable 21-4, their only semi-quality win of the season came against #26 Urbana in regional semi's, but now they face the daunting task of beating Alter.
Anyone's Guess: While #8 Bishop Hartley is our favorite to emerge, #11 Big Walnut is no slouch. The two teams met earlier in the season, with Hartley winning in three close games. Now, however, this one should be closer and either team could prevail. Same could be said for the match that pits #4 Parma Padua Franciscan against #10 Mentor Lake Catholic. The two met twice this season with Lake Catholic winning the first one in three game and Padua winning the second in three games. This one is anyone's guess.
Upset City: #17 Celina is a strong team, but their upset of defending state champion, #6 ranked Toledo Central Catholic was a stunner and our people say Celina was more than impressive. #2 Mansfield Madison Comprehensive will have their work cut out for them.
In Division Three: The Clear Favorite: #2 Albany Alexander has flown under-the-radar and has gotten little buzz despite losing only once and being the defending state runners-up. #5 Frankfort Adena won't roll over and play dead, but Alexander is clearly stronger and should return to state once again.
The Underdog: #25 St. Henry started out the season 4-10 before reeling off 12 consecutive wins. The brand-name program, with plenty of state titles, may not be an underdog in the truest sense, but they will have their hands full with the defending state champion and #1 ranked L.C.C. T-Birds.
Anyone's Guess: #6 Gilmour Academy is looking for a return appearance to the final four, but will have to get by #3 West Salem Northwestern, a team that is looking good. The two teams will likely battle it out in a tight match.
Upset City: Well, it certainly would be quite the upset if St. Henry can get past an L.C.C. team that has only lost once since winning last year's championship, but it can also be said that when unranked Middletown Bishop Fenwick knocks off #18 Versailles today that it will be called an upset!
In Division Four: The Clear Favorite: #5 Marion Local, the defending state champions, has the easiest path out of anyone to return to state. Look for a three-game warm-up against #8 Leipsic today in their regional final.
The Underdog: #19 South Webster has a quality team this season, but they will have to bring their A-game to defeat #2 Newark Catholic, looking to return to state once again.
Anyone's Guess: #9 Buckeye Central got to this point for the first time in years by pulling off a major upset against #3 Norwalk St. Paul. We think they have the pathway to state in this one, but #15 Kidron Central Christian isn't exactly a team to be taken lightly. They played a tough schedule and only lost three times and in close games against the likes of Wooster Triway and Smithville. This match could go either way.
Upset City: #1 Jackson Center has pretty much played perfect volleyball this season, losing only once (to #1 D3 Lima Central Catholic) and coming close to losing only twice more (against #5 Marion Local and #6 Lehman Catholic). But, it's those close matches and the pressure of getting back to state with the #1 ranking targets on their backs that might lend their match-up with #26 Fort Loramie into being a huge upset in the making. Fort Loramie just got done dismantling Lehman in regional semi-finals, and while JC has beaten Loramie twice already this season, it is always hard to beat a team three times. We look for Jackson Center to pull it out, but they better be ready later today!