Contenders have emerged in central Ohio high school girls volleyball.
Olentangy Berlin is ranked second in Division I in the latest Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Big Walnut is second in Division II, Bloom-Carroll is eighth in Division III, Jonathan Alder is sixth in Division IV and Newark Catholic, which won the Division VI state title last fall, is third in Division VII.
The postseason draw is Oct. 11, with tournament play for central Ohio teams beginning Oct. 20.
Here are five central Ohio storylines so far this season:
Jonathan Alder rolling toward Division IV postseason
The Pioneers are 13-1, giving fifth-year coach Alli Reule every reason to believe this could be a special season.
Jonathan Alder, which is also 5-0 in the CBC-Kenton Trail, will enter the Division IV postseason
seeking its first state semifinal berth since 2020 and third overall. The Pioneers were Division II runners-up in 2015.
Their only loss this season was to Watterson, a Division II team, 25-19, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17 on Sept. 21.
“We graduated [six players] from last year, but we also returned a lot,” Reule said. “The girls have bought in. We have some girls playing maybe a little different position and their roles are a little bigger this year, but they’re accepting those roles and our practices have been pretty focused and good. They’re doing what we’ve asked them to do to continue to get better.”
The Pioneers have been led by senior libero Kylie Trout, who had 182 digs through 13 matches and set the program record for digs earlier this season, surpassing 2017 graduate Alexa Hasting (835). A Bowling Green commit, Trout entered the match against Watterson with 975 digs for her career.
Senior setter Kacey Anderson, an Ohio Dominican commit, had 293 assists through 13 matches. Sophomore outside hitter Audrey Lange had a team-high 201 kills.
Pickerington Central excelling under new coach
The Tigers have gotten out to a strong start under first-year coach Mahlia Blair. She succeeded Jeannie Krueger, who stepped down after going 102-24 in five seasons.
Central is 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the OCC-Buckeye, tied with Logan for second behind Teays Valley (6-0). Central lost to Teays Valley 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18 on Sept. 17 and hosts the rematch Oct. 13.
“I’m excited with how things are going,” Blair said. “I knew it would be good, but I didn’t think it would be this good from the jump.”
Junior outside hitter Lily Foster leads the team in kills (99), ahead of junior right-side/outside hitter Abby Holloway (90), and aces (21). Junior setter Maddie Lyons leads in assists (264) and junior libero Mycaela Massey leads in digs (122).
Massey is the sister of Myriah Massey, who graduated from Central in December 2023 and is playing beach volleyball at Florida State.
A 2015 graduate of Dublin Coffman, Blair was an assistant coach at Gahanna Lincoln and New Albany before taking over at Central.
“[Krueger] has been in contact with me,” Blair said. “She’s told me how excited she is for us. She stills keeps an eye on the program. ... I know there’s a lot of hesitation with getting a new coach, especially when you had a great coach [like Krueger]. You don’t want just anyone to take over.”
Dublin Coffman builds bonds, gains confidence
Second-year coach Sydney Taylor has been impressed with her team’s turnaround, which actually started after last fall’s 2-9 start.
The Shamrocks, who rallied in the second half last season to finish 11-12, are 10-3 overall and 0-2 in the OCC-Central.
“Our energy and mentality [have been keys],” Taylor said. “I don’t know if they had full confidence last year. We had a lot of growing pains. It’s a testament to their hard work over the summer ... and the culture and togetherness that we’ve been implementing every single day with them. Gaining confidence on the court with their skills has been really fun to see.”
Taylor is a 2021 graduate of Watterson who went on to play libero for four years at Ohio State.
Senior Maysen Freed and junior Hallie Price have paced Coffman in kills with 124 and 103, respectively. Both are outside hitters.
Junior libero Milena Brennan leads in digs (220), freshman setter Harper Steckel leads in assists (195), Freed and Steckel lead in aces (24) and senior middle blocker Caraline Olberding and Steckel lead in blocks (19).
Price enjoying new duties at Worthington Kilbourne
A former player and assistant coach in the program, Ashley Price is cherishing her first season as head coach. She succeeded her coach at Kilbourne, Meladee Hopkins, who stepped down after 23 seasons.
A 2007 graduate of Kilbourne, Price spent the past 13 seasons as Hopkins’ assistant. Price played collegiately at Rio Grande.
“She’s been a mentor for me,” Price said of Hopkins. “I’ve known her since seventh grade. There’s a reason why I am a coach and she’s a big reason for that. She’s been a big part of my life and my being able to transition into this space. They are big shoes to fill, and I’m hoping that I’m able to fill those shoes.
“I’ll never be her. She’s a legend, so I’m just hoping that I can keep the program successful and still have the same culture where it’s always been, very family oriented.”
The Wolves are 6-6 overall and 4-1 in the OCC-Capital, tied for second with Westerville South behind Big Walnut (5-0). Kilbourne lost to Big Walnut in three sets Sept. 10 and hosts the rematch Oct. 6.
Junior right-side/outside hitter Peyton Childress leads in kills (122), sophomore setter Kelsey McFadden leads in assists (292), junior libero Audra Bailey leads in digs (170) and aces (27) and senior middle hitter Alivia Kraft leads in blocks (18).
Newark Catholic continues to thrive
The reigning Division VI state champion Green Wave are looking to pull off the same feat in Division VII this fall.
Newark Catholic (10-2, 5-0 LCL-Cardinal) has won 77 consecutive LCL matches.
“We’re really happy with where they’re at,” coach Katie Hill said. “Obviously [12-0] would be great, but I’m happy with how they’re starting to jell and get some chemistry.”
Senior middle blocker/outside hitter Leah Caudill, an Ohio Dominican commit, leads in kills (161), digs (132) and aces (21). Freshman setter Gabbie Hill, the coach’s daughter, leads in assists (195) and junior middle blocker/outside hitter Sophia Basham leads in blocks (53).
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's happening in central Ohio high school volleyball? 5 storylines
