The second Power 5 girls volleyball rankings for The Report feature plenty of movement, with one exception — Fenwick remains firmly planted at the top.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
5. Talawanda (4-3)
Always solid, Talawanda has overcome an 0-3 start by rattling off four consecutive wins. The Brave have posted victories over Indian Hill, Sycamore, Oak Hills and Franklin, with the win over Franklin opening SWBL play.
Junior Kara Karver leads Talawanda with 19 blocks, while Bella Cobb has 12. Senior Stella Gertke ranks third in the SWBL with 85 digs, and junior Lyla Perry sits atop the league with 181 assists.
The Brave have a big week ahead, playing Harrison on Tuesday and Ross on Thursday.
4. Badin (4-2)
The Rams had a rough week, sandwiching a win over Carroll between tough losses to Lakota East and Fenwick.
Coach Courtney Weinheimer’s squad will look to rebound this week with home matches against Alter and Chaminade Julienne.
The Rams’ size continues to be a strength. Juniors Brooklyn Johnson and Addie Pfiester have 34 and 33 kills, respectively. Johnson and Pfiester each have 10 blocks, while senior Carley Nadler has 50 digs. Senior Emily O’Brien has added 31 kills.
3. Ross (5-1)
The Rams jump two spots in the power rankings after sweeping the week, which included a four-set victory over Lakota East.
Sophomore Ellie Distler ranks third in the Southwestern Buckeye League with 73 kills. Right behind Distler is junior Lizzy Long with 65 kills. Junior Mya Bosse ranks second in the league with 178 assists.
At this point, Ross and Bellbrook appear to be on a collision course to determine the league champion.
2. Mason (6-3)
The Comets jump into the No. 2 spot after a big week that included victories over Olentangy Liberty, Roger Bacon and Colerain.
Mason’s three losses have come against Girls Greater Catholic League powers St. Ursula, Ursuline and Seton.
The Comets are in the middle of GMC play, traveling to Middletown and Fairfield this week.
Sophomore Brooklyn Meinberg leads Mason with 71 kills, while junior Avery Brannon has 59. Brannon leads the GMC with 16 blocks and 25 aces, while junior Ella Groff has a conference-best 121 digs.
1. Fenwick (7-0)
The loud sound you heard was Fenwick alerting the area that the Falcons are the team to beat in Southwest Ohio volleyball.
Fenwick staked its claim with a huge week, first beating Turpin, then reigning state champion McNicholas before rolling past Badin on Thursday.
One look at the GCL Coed statistics shows just how dominant the Falcons have been.
Senior Morgan Meiring leads the GCL Coed with 86 kills, with teammates Andrea Ptaszkiewicz and Mia Schmitt right behind her with 61 and 59, respectively. Sophomore Stella Epperson leads the league with 20 blocks, while Ptaszkiewicz ranks second with 17.
Fenwick also holds the top two spots in digs, with senior Emma Moser totaling 102 and Meiring recording 78. Senior Abby Keller has a league-best 225 assists.
Fenwick has two GCL Coed matches this week, taking on Chaminade Julienne and Carroll.
GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Ross at Summit Country Day; Harrison at Talawanda
Thursday: Ross at Talawanda
