The Ohio high school girls volleyball regular season has ended. That means it is time to determine the top Columbus-area player for the regular season by voting for your choice.
The 16 candidates are below, in alphabetical order. After reading their bios, scroll down to the ballot and cast your vote.
Voting will conclude at noon Oct. 28. Please do not email your votes; they will not count.
Candidates were nominated by area coaches and The Dispatch sports staff. Postseason accomplishments are not included.
In addition, keep an eye out for the annual All-Metro teams for fall sports in November and December.
Sophia Basham, Newark Catholic: The 6-foot-1 senior middle hitter and blocker has been instrumental in the Green Wave’s success as they seek a second
consecutive state title. She has 274 kills, 200 digs, 94 blocks, 43 assists and 23 aces. Newark Catholic is seeded second in the Division VII district tournament.
Bri Bush, Olentangy Orange: The 5-9 junior defensive specialist and outside hitter has been a key contributor for the fifth-seeded Pioneers as they enter the Division I district tournament. Through 21 matches, she had 257 kills, 228 digs, 46 aces and 22 blocks.
Shelly Caceres, Pickerington North: The 5-11 senior outside hitter is closing out a strong prep career as the third-seeded Panthers (19-3) prepare for the postseason. The Bowling Green commit has 298 kills, 191 digs, 55 aces and 41 blocks, helping North win its fifth consecutive OCC-Ohio title (10-0).
Leah Caudill, Newark Catholic: The 6-1 senior middle hitter and blocker helped the Green Wave (17-5) capture their 13th consecutive LCL title (15-1). The Ohio Dominican commit has 318 kills, 258 digs, 63 blocks, 39 assists and 34 aces.
Caylin Cox, Johnstown: The 5-10 junior outside hitter has put up impressive numbers for the Johnnies (17-5), contributing 390 kills, 123 digs and 24 blocks. Johnstown is seeded third in the Division IV district tournament.
Audrey Coulson, Big Walnut: The 5-5 senior setter helped the Division II top-seeded Golden Eagles finish the regular season at 22-0 and capture the OCC-Capital title (12-0). She has 581 assists, 129 digs, 30 aces and 17 blocks.
Maysen Freed, Dublin Coffman: The 5-11 senior outside hitter is closing out a strong prep career for the Division I sixth-seeded Shamrocks. The Morehead State commit has 249 digs, 238 kills, 35 aces and 18 assists.
Brooklyn Hall, Licking Heights: The 5-9 senior outside hitter collected her 1,000th career kill earlier this season and enters the Division I district tournament with 359 for the year. The Tiffin commit also has 253 digs and 33 aces for the 13th-seeded Hornets (15-7).
Sophie Hamilton, Big Walnut: Another key contributor to the Golden Eagles’ success, the 5-8 senior outside hitter and Findlay commit has 188 digs, 186 kills, 43 aces and 18 blocks.
Kaylee Jackson, Gahanna Lincoln: The 6-0 senior outside/middle hitter has been a solid contributor for the Lions (12-10) with 194 kills and 78 blocks, becoming the program's all-time leader in both. Gahanna is seeded 14th in the Division I district tournament.
Addie Knapke, Olentangy Berlin: The 5-6 senior libero led the Bears (21-1) to the OCC-Cardinal title (10-0) and top seed in the Division I district tournament. The Northwestern commit has 373 digs, 82 assists and 35 aces.
Delaney Larkin, Olentangy Liberty: The 5-7 senior libero has the Patriots (19-3) in position for a Division I postseason run as the second seed. She has 315 digs, 63 assists and 24 aces for the OCC-Central champions (10-0).
Elle Mortimer, Granville: The 6-1 senior outside hitter and middle blocker is winding down a strong prep career for the Blue Aces (12-10), who are seeded sixth in the Division III district tournament. The Ohio University commit has 283 kills, 138 digs, 82 blocks and 26 aces.
Jillian Rode, Olentangy Berlin: The 5-10 senior outside hitter is another key component of the Bears’ success. The Taylor University commit has 212 kills and 37 digs.
Marlee Sharps, Westerville South: The 6-1 senior outside hitter and Jacksonville State commit has been a key player for the Wildcats (18-3), tallying 351 kills, 197 digs and 41 aces. South is seeded second in the Division II district tournament.
Kylie Trout, Jonathan Alder: The 5-4 senior libero led the Pioneers (20-2) to the CBC-Kenton Trail title (10-0). The Bowling Green commit has 346 digs, 75 aces and 50 aces. Jonathan Alder is seeded first in the Division IV district tournament.
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: Vote for top central Ohio girls volleyball player of regular season
