Arcadia
HEAD COACH: Jacquie Ramsey (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 6-14 overall, 1-8 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lauren Conine, jr., defensive specialist; Madison Stuby, jr., outside hitter; Regina Fox, jr., defensive specialist; Rebecca Kirian, soph., middle hitter; Madie Ramsey, soph., setter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Molly Glick fr., middle hitter; Julia Pina, soph., outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Head coach Jacquie Ramsey will have a decent nucleus to work with in her first season at Arcadia. Junior outside hitter, one of five returning lettermen, had 103 kills a season ago and was All-BVC honorable mention.
Arlington
HEAD COACH: Diana Inbody (3rd year, 29-13).
2010 RECORD: 14-7 overall, 6-3 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amelia Recker, sr., middle hitter; Alivia Recker, sr., right side hitter; Elisabeth Helms, sr., outside hitter; Abby Solt, sr., defensive specialist; Jessica Hunter, sr., setter: Adrienne Sheperd, jr., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jordyn Webb, jr., outside hitter; Haylie Beck, jr., right side hitter; Kathryn Jolliff, jr., setter; Erin Helms, soph., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: The Red Devils have a solid group of returning players and could be a factor in this year’s BVC race. Amelia Recker was a second team all-BVC selection in 2010 and a third team all-conference pick in 2010.
Cory-Rawson
HEAD COACH: Susan Rossman (4th year, 44-30).
2010 RECORD: 15-9 overall, 4-5 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Courtney Ritter, sr., setter; Kresana Ward, sr., libero; Tricia Flanigan, sr., middle hitter; Tessa Heitmeyer, jr., outside hitter; Lexie Gauss, jr., middle hitter; Jessie Ream, jr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nicole Hulihan, jr., right side hitter; Kiley Scott, soph., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: Ward and Ritter were honorable mention all-BVC selections last season for the Hornets. They and Tricia Flanigan will serve as the team’s captains during the 2011 season.
Hardin Northern
HEAD COACH: Nancy Souder (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 7-10 overall, 2-7 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lauren Hoffman, sr., middle hitter; Olivia Sampson, sr., setter; Taylor Allen, jr., middle hitter; Becky McElree, soph., libero.
TOP PROSPECTS: London Crist, jr., outside hitter; Molly Wilson, soph., setter; Julia Poling, soph., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: The Polar Bears will be looking for plenty of improvement, especially in the BVC this season, with four solid lettermen returning this season.
Leipsic
HEAD COACH: Chelsea Rogers (2nd year, 16-8).
2010 RECORD: 16-8 overall, 4-5 Blanchard Valley Conference, 5-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Molly Ellerbrock, sr., defensive specialist; Ashley Rieman, sr., middle hitter; Emily Gerten, sr., setter; Liz Inkrott, sr., defensive specialist; Lyndsay Krinke, sr., outside; Amber Gerdeman, soph., middle hitter; Haley Gerten, soph., outside hitter; Rachel Rieman, soph., outside hitter/setter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kelly Nadler, fr., middle hitter; Shalynn Morman, fr., defensive specialist/outside hitter.
NOTABLE: With several returning players including second team All-District players Ashley Rieman and Molly Ellerbrock, Leipsic will hope to compete near the top of both the Blanchard Valley Conference and the Putnam County League.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Cristy Gray (2nd year, 16-9).
2010 RECORD: 16-9 overall, 5-4 Blanchard Valley Conference
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Hannah Quinlan, sr., libero; Kaitlyn Schimmoeller, sr., outside hitter/setter; Kelsey Dager, sr., middle hitter; Alyssa Gary, sr., outside hitter; Liz Streacker, jr., middle hitter; Rachel Myers, soph., outside hitter/setter; Morgan Lishawa, soph., outside hitter; Carrie Reynolds, soph., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Olivia Newman, fr., defensive specialist; Alex Devincentis, jr., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: The Eagles put toger a solid season in Gray’s first season as head coach. They’ll be looking to climb the ladder in the BVC this fall, though.
McComb
HEAD COACH: Leslie Kahle (8th year).
2010 RECORD: 23-2 overall, 8-1 Blanchard Valley Conference
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Becca Leppelmeier, jr., outside hitter; Briana Herr, jr., middle hitter; Devyn Wilson, sr., setter; Abbie Joy, sr., outside hitter; Courtney Deans, sr., defensive specialist; Brenna Dee, soph., outside hitter/defensive specialist; Hailey Huffman, soph., middle hitter; Emily Clymer, soph., outside hitter; Hannah Bundy, jr., libero.
TOP PROSPECTS: Maddie Roth, soph.; Hailey Buck, fr.; Kylie McDowell, fr.
NOTABLE: Panthers were just a win away last season from becoming the school's first team to qualify for the OHSAA state volleyball tournament.
Pandora-Gilboa
HEAD COACH: Sarah Schroeder (1st year)
2010 RECORD: 21-0 overall, 9-0 Blanchard Valley Conference; 6-0 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Megan Hovest, sr., outside hitter; Ciara Hovest, sr., defensive specialist/setter; Megan Verhoff, sr., middle hitter; Laura Nemire, sr., outside hitter; Ellie Braidic, sr., outside hitter; Megan Maag, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Rachel Kahle, sr., outside hitter; Amanda Miller, sr., defensive specialist; Vivian Nofziger, soph., setter; Victoria Siefker, sr., outside hitter; Morgan Gerdeman, jr., outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Pandora-Gilboa swept the BVC and PCL on its way to an unbeaten regular season, falling just short of qualifying for the state tournament. The Rockets have six lettermen back from last year’s club as Sarah Schroeder takes over for longtime coach Mark Williams who stepped down.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Mark Bunn (6th year, 83-40).
2010 RECORD: 17-8 overall, 6-3 Blanchard Valley Conference
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kaitlyn Endicott, sr., outside hitter; Jessica Hammond, sr., setter; Sara Roth, sr., setter; Elyse Anderberry, jr., middle hitter; Sarah Benson, jr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brooke DeBusman, jr., middle hitter; Ashley Smith, jr., middle hitter; Paige Sudlow, soph., libero; Emily Anderberry, fr., setter; Abbey Phillips, fr., middle hitter; Lauren Wise, fr., outside hitter.
NOTABLE: One year after not having enough players for a junior varsity team, Van Buren has 20 girls out for volleyball. Theh Black Knights could be a solid team again with first team All-BVC pick Kaitlyn Endicott and second team All-BVC selection Sarah Benson returning.
Vanlue
HEAD COACH: Sally Kloepfer (3rd year).
2010 RECORD: 3-18 overall, 0-9 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Savannah Engard, sr., setter/right side hitter; Emilee Reed, sr., libero; Jessica Fletcher, sr., setter/right side hitter; Logan Frey, jr., middle hitter; Kelsie Ward, jr., outside hitter; Katie Thomas, jr., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jacklyn McKitrick, sr., defensive specialist; Kortni Blair, sr, middle hitter.
NOTABLE: There are excellent numbers out for the sport at Vanlue with 18 at the high school program and another 15 at the middle school level. With more experience and a deeper bench, the Wildcats will look to be more competitive in the conference this fall.
Ada
HEAD COACH: Brittany Pecora (2nd year, 12-12).
2010 RECORD: 12-12 overall, 2-7 Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lindsay Simmons, sr., libero; Kenzie Fell, sr., middle hitter; Tabbi Jolliff, sr., middle hitter; Taylor Willeke, jr., outside hitter; Morgan Rouch, jr., setter; Alexis Rhodes, soph., outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Tabbi Jolliff, a second team all-Northwest Conference and second team all-District 8 selection, returns for Ada, which has six returning letterwinners.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Erin Oberly (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 10-13 overall, 5-4 Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jenna Buroker, sr., libero; Paige Buroker, soph., outside hitter; Lindsey Buettner, sr., middle hitter; Alaina Bixler, sr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Olivia Hunt, soph., setter; Kaleigh Oberly, soph., middle hitter.
NOTABLE: The team has a good blend of youth and experience that will heopfully springboard the Pirates to a successful season.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Eric Vackert (3rd year, 26-21).
2010 RECORD: 11-13 overall, 6-5 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Paige Roszman, sr., libero; Bo Underwood, sr., setter; Hannah Tong, jr., middle hitter; Shelby Seifert, soph., middle hitter; Makenzie Wentling, soph., setter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Taylor Decker, sr., outside hitter; Heather Enke, sr., defensive specialist; Logan Johnson, soph., outside hitter; Taylor Fletcher, soph., setter; Monique Altvater, jr., outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Vackert returns as coach of the program after a two year absence. He guided the Blue Devils to a 26-21 record during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Kelly Lepley (3rd year, 30-20).
2010 RECORD: 8-16 overall, 5-4 Northwest Conference, 2-4 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Nicole Langhals, sr., setter; Anna Ricker, sr., outside hitter/middle hitter; Riley Eversole, sr., outside hitter right side hitter; Julia Wynn, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Taylor Harman, sr., libero; Rachel Schumacher, soph., setter/defensive specialist; Elizabeth Selhorst, soph., outside hitter/right side hitter; Samantha Stechschulte, soph., middle hitter; Emily Tabler, soph., right side hitter.
NOTABLE: Grove will field a young team according to Lepley, but she expects her Bulldogs to finish in the top half of both the NWC and PCL this fall.
Continental
HEAD COACH: Kristen Stechschulte (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 2-20 overall, 0-6 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Krystal Prowant, jr,, setter/outside hitter; Amber Sloan, soph., middle hitter/outside hitter; Erica Fitzwater, soph.,defensive specialist: Cailah Rickard, soph., outside hitter/setter; Tia Escamilla, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Cassie Averesch, jr., outside hitter; Regan Cunningham, soph., defensive specialist; Dru Troyer, soph., middle hitter; Brianna Sarka, soph., hitter; Gabby Young, fr., setter/hitter.
NOTABLE: The Pirates lost four seniors and will field a very young squad in 2011. New coach Kristen Stechschulte has just two juniors on the roster with the rest of the squad made up of sophomores and freshmen.
Elmwood
HEAD COACH: Penny Rayle (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 5-18 overall, 3-9 Suburban Lakes League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Madison Arnold, soph., middle hitter; Brittany George, jr., utility; Samantha Peters, sr., outside hitter; Kori Reiser, sr., middle hitter; Marissa Swavel, soph., defensive specialist; Courtney Thomson, jr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Katie Bottesch, jr., defensive specialist/libero; Beth Foster, sr., right side hitter; Morgan Huff, soph., right side hitter; Amanda Jones, soph., setter; Kendra Reidling, sr., defensive specialist; Michelle Sander, sr., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: The Royals appear strongest defensively in the preseason, according to Rayle.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Carver Williams (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 8-15 overall, 3-11 Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: None
TOP PROSPECTS: Tyra Settles, sr., middle/outside hitter; Danielle Lee, sr., setter/defensive specialist; Courtney Hall, sr., setter; Ashley Goins, sr., right side hitter; Casey Babb, jr., setter; Rose Huss, jr., middle hitter; Kierra Settles, soph., outside hitter; Chelsea Hernandez, sr., outside hitter; Jena Echelberry, sr., middle hitter; Tori Kauffman, jr., right side hitter.
NOTABLE: The Redmen lost a big senior class last season so there will be plenty of new faces on the varsity squad this season. One familiar face will be coach Carver Williams who has served as the head coach at the school previously.
Hopewell-Loudon
HEAD COACH: Erin Dircksen (5th year, 93-14)
2010 RECORD: 21-5 overall, 10-1 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jess Dull, sr., libero; Alicia Frank, sr., outside hitter; Steph Endicott, sr., outside hitter; Eva Tanner, sr., defensive specialist; Logan Frank, jr., middle hitter; Racquel Hossler, jr., setter; Courtney Burns, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Shelbi Sauber, fr., setter/right side hitter; Kassie Shaver, soph., middle hitter/outside hitter; Kaelynn Six, soph., setter/defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: The Chieftains appear to be loaded once again with seven returning lettermen back from last year’s 21-win ballclub.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Jeremy Stober (14th year, 201-99).
2010 RECORD: 10-13 overall, 3-3 Putnam County League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brandi Merschman, sr., right side hitter/middle hitter; Haley McIntyre, sr., middle hitter; Halie Zenz, sr., setter/outside hitter; Andrea Bellmann, jr., MH; Julia Vandemark, jr., defensive specialist/libero; Kayla Siefker, jr, middle hitter/outside hitter; Amy Smith, jr., setter/right side hitter; Elizabeth Turnwald, soph., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kristi Honigfort, jr. outside hitter/defensive specialist; Carrie Gerding, jr., middle hitter/ right side hitter.
NOTABLE: Despite having nine returning letterwinners, Kalida will still be a fairly young team and many players will be playing different positions than they did last season. Regardless the expectation for Kalida is to continue getting better and to compete for the Putnam County League championship.
Miller City
HEAD COACH: Cheryl Kreinbrink (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 8-16 overall, 1-5 Putnam County League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Emily Doster, sr., setter; Ali Lammers, sr., libero; Samantha Michel, sr., defensive specialist; Courtney Niese, sr., outside hitter; Taylor Niese, sr., middle hitter; Toni Steffen, sr., middle hitter; Bailey Dangler, jr., defensive specialist.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brittany Drummelsmith, sr., back side hitter; Kelsey Tripp, sr., middle hitter; Marissa Vennekotter, sr., outside hitter; Tiffany Verhoff, sr., defensive specialist; Ariel Berger, jr., middle hitter Catie Hermiller, jr., outside hitter; Jessica Niese, jr., defensive specialist; Brianne Rosengarten, jr., setter.
NOTABLE: Seven returning letterwinners, including five starters are back for first-year head coach Cheryl Kreinbrink this season.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Cindy Walerius (8th year, 114-49).
2010 RECORD: 17-6 overall, 8-3 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Paige Noftz, sr., setter; Brooke Scherger, sr., setter; Stacey Wank, sr., middle hitter; Megan Mathias, sr., defensive specialist; Cassandra Acree, jr., defensive specialist; Lauren Ladd, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ashley Mathias, jr., defensive specialist; Morgan Noftz, soph., setter; Alexis Kieffer, soph., middle hitter; Kara Scherger, fr., outside hitter; Taylor Arbogast, fr., outside hitter; Holly Tiell, sr., middle hitter.
NOTABLE: Setter Brooke Scherger was an honorable mention all-MAL selection last season. The Blue Jackets could feature a young lineup at times this season as there are five freshmen and sophomores on the varsity roster.
North Baltimore
HEAD COACH: Dawn Hemminger (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 3-20 overall, 1-10 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Megan Wright, soph., middle hitter; Ricci Emahiser, jr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alli Baker, sr., libero; Ashley Wagner, jr., setter; Morgan Schloemp, soph., outside hitter; Rachel Permetti, sr., setter; Brittany Lee, sr., outside hitter; Allyson Flores, jr., setter; Chelsea Stewart, soph, defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: Hemminger is the school’s third coach in three years. The Tigers were a senior-dominated team last season but they have just three seniors on the varsity squad this year.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Ann Ellerbrock (10th year, 183-43)
2010 RECORD: 19-6 overall, 8-1 Western Buckeye League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kelley Selhorst, jr., setter; Kristi Jerwers, jr., setter/outside hitter; Constance Letso, sr., outside hitter; Jill Recker, sr., middle hitter; Michelle Ruhe, sr., middle hitter; Alyssa Ebbeskotte, sr., right side hitter; Brooke Engard, sr., defensive specialist.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kayla Eastman, jr., outside hitter; Kaela Croy, jr., defensive specialist; Kelsey Baldwin, jr.; libero.
NOTABLE: Kelley Selhorst and Jill Recker both return for their third year of varsity volleyball. Selhorst averaged 4.2 assists per game, while Recker had 1.3 kills and 1.0 blocks per game.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Susan Jones (4th year, 36-34).
2010 RECORD: 12-12 overall, 4-2 Putnam County League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Marissa Nienberg, sr., defensive specialist/outside hitter; Kylee Schweller, sr., outside hitter; Kaitlyn Ditto, sr., setter; Megan Bendele, sr., middle hitter; Abby Siefker, jr., middle hitter; Sarah Luersman, sr., defensive specialist; Tonya Kaufman, soph., setter outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nikki Burgei, soph., middle hitter; Taylor Mangas, soph., outside hitter; Tammy Wannemacher, jr., defensive specialist/outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Look for good things from Ottoville. The Big Green have seven returning letterwinners including two-year letterwinner Megan Bendele, a setter for Ottoville.
Patrick Henry
HEAD COACH: Alison Meyer (1st year).
2010 RECORD: 17-6 overall, 7-1 Northwest Ohio Athletic League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Katy Hammer, jr., libero; Kayla Fintel, jr., outside hitter; Kelsey Tietje, jr., middle hitter; Maddie Jones, jr., setter; Mallory Michaelis, jr., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Heather Gibson, fr., setter; Lindsey Meyer, jr., defensive specialist; Rylee Bower, jr., outside hitter; Samantha Niese, jr., defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: Expect solid contributions from middle hitters Kelsey Tietje and Mallory Michaelis as well as setters Maddie Jones and Heather Gibson. With new players coming in and returning players switching to new positions, the Patriots hope to gain experience as the season goes on.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Jenny Young (3rd year, 30-18)
2010 RECORD: 13-11 overall, 8-6 North Central Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lexa Kessler, sr., outside hitter; Karen Wise, sr., outside hitter; Alyssa Humphrey, sr., libero; Catlin Pauley, jr., utility; Brittany Wetherill, jr., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Taylor Blum, jr., middle hitter; Jordan York, jr., middle hitter/outside hitter; Laura Renteria, jr., setter.
NOTABLE: With just three seniors, the Falcons will be a very young team this fall but look for Riverdale to improve its record and make a move back up toward the top of the NCC standings.
St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Stacey Taylor (6th year, 67-48)
2010 RECORD: 10-13 overall, 4-7 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Colleen Fondessy, jr., middle hitter; Taylor Schreiner, sr., defensive specialist/hitter; Chloe Holman, sr., setter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Matti Burns, sr., setter/hitter; Abby Holman, sr., hitter/defensive specialist; Taylor Lucius, jr., defensive specialist; Adrienne Emerine, jr., defensive specialist; Megan McNinch, sr., defensive specialist/setter; Kayla Kirk, sr., hitter; Georgia Kitchen, jr., defensive specialist; Catrina Lang, jr., middle hitter; Kelly Faeth, sr., middle hitter; Ali Mowrey, jr., hitter/defensive specialist.
NOTABLE: Just three letterwinners are back for the Mohawks this fall as Fondessy was second on the team with 107 kills last year. The team will have 13 juniors and seniors on this year’s varsity roster.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Matthew McConnaughey (3rd year, 9-37).
2010 RECORD: 7-16 overall, 2-12 Northern Ohio League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Dani Gatchell, sr., defensive specialist; Alex Cameron, jr., outside hitter; Allison Snyder, jr., setter; Taylor Graboski, soph., middle hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jenna Holly, fr.; outside hitter.
NOTABLE: Taylor Graboski is back after earning second team All-NOL honors last season. Graboski, who slammed 262 kills for the Rams as a freshman, also made a name for herself in the club volleyball circuit as she was named the MVP of the 15N USA Volleyball Girl’s Junior National Championships.
Heritage Christian
HEAD COACH: Jay Anderson.
2010 RECORD: 14-6 overall
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Miranda Berry, jr., outside hitter; Taylor Cupples, jr., setter; Abigail Schultz, soph., outside hitter.
TOP PROSPECTS: Sidney Daughenbaugh, fr., setter; Tacia Frost, jr., hitter; Sarah Wright, fr., hitter; Allison Fink, fr., hitter.
NOTABLE: Teamwork and trust will be the key to a successful season at Heritage Christian as the Minutemen are looking forward to another successful season on the court.