LIBERTY TWP. — The Mason Comets volleyball team hopes the third time is the charm.
The Comets claimed a four-set win over Springboro to capture a third consecutive Division I district title.
With the win, Mason took one more step toward its ultimate goal of facing defending state champion Seton.
The Saints have dispatched Mason the last two years.
“We are out to get them,” Mason junior Ella Groff said of two-time state champion Seton. “We’re ready for the challenge.”
1. Mason starts hot
Mason stormed to an early 22-4 lead in the first set, setting the stage for the match.
Behind crisp passes and pinpoint kills, Mason appeared to have 10 players on the court.
“We always want to set the tone on defense,” Mason coach Eric Schaltzle said. “We made crazy scramble plays. We got to balls, got them off the ground and scored on them. Our defense drove us into this fearless mentality. It was an awesome start.”
Springboro rallied to cut the lead to 23-12, but Panthers coach Alyssa Downs said the early jitters hurt her team.
“We couldn’t have asked for a worse start,” Downs said. “I think we were stressed, knowing we lost last time to (Mason). You hear about all the attention on this game, with the social media platforms. We just didn’t come out ready.”
2. Three straight districts for Mason
The Comets are proving that winning never gets old.
Schaltzle said his squad has improved as the season has gone on, and he has been blessed with talent.
The district win was a repeat of Mason’s straight-set win over Springboro in 2025.
“It feels amazing,” Schaltzle said. “I am really proud of them. I have great players, great parents. We have been resilient this year.”
3. Groff sets the tone
Libero Ella Groff said the good start was something her team thrives on.
“Our momentum at the beginning was just outstanding,” Groff said. “We came on and get the really big lead. It was a dominating first set and we brought that to the rest of the game.”
4. Reverse sweep avenged
Springboro beat Mason in the regular season in a five-set thriller.
The Panthers dropped the first two sets before rallying to complete the reverse sweep.
Mason won the first two sets 25-19, 25-17, but Springboro rallied to take the next three 25-14, 25-17 and 15-8.
“We played them earlier, a five-setter, and we know they have some weapons,” Schaltzle said. “We didn’t want to take our foot off the pedal, but they made that run at the end of the first set and into the second set. They are well coached, got great athletes and can finish at the net. I wasn’t comfortable tied 1 apiece, but we didn’t want them to get comfortable, so the girls stayed aggressive.”
5. Youth is served
Springboro’s entire lineup will return in 2027.
Juniors Emma Gates, Arainna Thornton, Reagan Dearth, Sofia Lepajoe-Blackburn and Madison Helton lead the way. Freshman Alannah Stevenson is a blocking threat, and sophomore Reese Aracri is a menace at the net.
Aracri and Thornton were both first-team Greater Western Ohio Conference selections, while Lepajoe-Blackburn and Gates were named to the second team.
“We are young and those pressure moments are something we needed to experience,” Downs said. “We just need to be more consistent all the way through. We basically have a copy-and-paste team for next year. We should have the same group lining up next year, so we feel good about the future.”
Mason has four seniors but is led by a group of youngsters in sophomores Brooklyn Meinberg, Alex Cloninger and Claire Michelson, as well as freshman Sophia Barcenas.
Key players also include juniors Groff, Preslie Evans and Leah Hugenberg.
Meinberg and Groff were both first-team Greater Miami Conference honorees, while Evans and Michelson earned second-team honors.
“We had a lot of new varsity players this year,” Schaltzle said. “Our girls got quality reps early and it is paying off now. They have been under pressure and know how to respond under difficulty.”
