Tag Archive for: Featured

BENSON TO BE A TERRAPIN

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LOUISVILLE OH- If you watched Louisville softball over the last two seasons you would quickly discover that there’s something special on their roster. Matti Benson made her name known as one of the best softball players in the area, and in Louisville’s program history. After an impressive 2022 spring, and a productive summer in travel ball, Benson has found a future home at the next level.  Benson will be heading to the Big Ten to be a Maryland Terrapin.  Benson was highly recruited this off-season being seen on college visits at tons of power five programs.  In the end it was Maryland that made the biggest impact, and that’s where she will continue her athletic and academic career.  Benson was ranked 27th in the class of 2024 by Extra Innings Softball.

 

RAY COMMITS TO PLAY AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE

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AUSTINTOWN OH- Ayla Ray was one of the most electric softball players in the area in 2021. After following that up with an impressive summer travel season, Ayla has found a home to end her recruitment. Ray has officially made the decision to continue her academic and athletic career at Youngstown State University.

In 26 games played in the 2022 softball season for Fitch, Ray hit .591.  She had 52 hits in 88 at bats and also gathered 18 RBI.  She was almost an automatic run when on the base paths scoring 48 times on the season.  Ray also was an elite defender surrendering only 2 errors at shortstop and ending with a fielding percentage of .944.  Ray is going into her junior year at Fitch with a lot of momentum, and softball fans everywhere can’t wait to see what she does next.

RESERVE HAS NO RUST AFTER FIRST ROUND BYE

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BERLIN CENTER OH- Western Reserve is the top seed in their district bracket. They elected to take a bye straight in to the sectional final. There was no rust from the time off as the Blue Devils swiftly swept Windham to punch a ticket to the district semifinal.  (25-10 25-13 25-7)

Alyvia Hughes had13 kills 14 digs and 7 service aces. Lisa Eichert had 11 kills 10 digs and 7 service aces. Raelyn Meyer had 17 assists and Angelina Cappabianca had 2 Blocks 8 kills  and 1 service ace.

The Devils record improves to 19-4 and they play Southern Local at 6:00 on Tuesday Oct 25 at Columbiana High school with a trip to the district championship on the line.

LAKEVIEW DOESN’T FALTER TO CONFERENCE FOE

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COLUMBIANA OH- They say it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season. That is exactly what Lakeview would have to do if they wanted a trip to the district semifinals. The Bulldogs didn’t waiver an inch as they swept Poland for the third time this season to advance. (25-13 25-15 25-9)

Emma Schmader and Tara Lytle both took the team lead in kills with 10 a piece.  Maggie Pavlansky had a productive night setting with 25 assists.  Maddie Bayus led the defense in the back row gathering 14 digs.  Brooke Schneider served well gathering 14 service points.

Lakeview advances to the district semifinals where they’ll match up with a fellow state ranked team in Crestview. First serve is set for 6:00 at Grand Valley High School on Wednesday.

RAIDERS SEASON STAYS ALIVE

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MENTOR OH- South Range has been the upset team of the district so far this season. The 11th seeded Raiders beat a higher seeded opponent for the second straight night beating the 8 seed LaBrae in straight sets. (25-15 25-10 25-23)

The Raiders were led on offense by Maria Primavera who completed a double double with 10 kills, and 22 digs.  Maddie Mook had a great night with 6 kills, and 8 digs.  Jamie Feren also notched a double double for the Raiders with 15 assists, and 11 digs. Gianna Pasquale played well in the back row finishing  with 15 digs.

South Range advances to the district semifinals on Wednesday where they’ll have to come with their biggest upset yet. They’ll be matched up with top seeded Lake Catholic.  That match is slated for 6:00 at Medina High School.

MORE RECORDS FALL AS REBELS GO ON TO DISTRICTS

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COLUMBIANA OH- Crestview Volleyball has seen a lot of records fall this season as they have stormed to a 20-2 record. In their sectional final against Waterloo on Thursday night they saw another record broken as Abbey Emch eclipsed the most kills any Rebel has had in a season. Emch now sits at 367 kills. The previous record was held by MacKenzie Daub at 362.  The Rebels swept their way to victory. (25-4 25-3 25-3)

Emch led the offense with 12 kills on the night and also finished with 6 blocks, and 5 digs.  Grace Auer found another double double with 11 kills, and 13 assists.  Lainy Auer also had 13 assists on the night while adding 5 kills.  Alyssa Smotherman’s serve was electric. She had 20 service points and 5 aces.

Crestview advances to the Grand Valley district semifinal where they’ll meet Lakeview. That game is slated for Wednesday at 6:00 at Grand Valley High School in Orwell.

TIGERS LOCKED IN TO DISTRICTS

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NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Springfield held strong in the rain and cold with very muddy field conditions Wednesday night as they knocked Pymatuning Valley out of the Division 3 Soccer Tournament.

The Tigers Maddie Page put the team up with her first goal with 15 minutes left in the first half. Springfield came out in the second half and locked down the goal, not allowing the Lakers offense to get anything going. Maddie put her second goal in, with the assist coming from Brionna Holt, with close to 25 minutes left in the game. Keeper Caitlin Cappelli made 8 saves for Springfield.

The Tigers will host Cardinal Mooney in the District Semifinal Monday night at 6:00.

*Contributed By Justin Kosek at springfieldlocalathletics.com

RAMS BROOM BROOKFIELD

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- The MVAC Scarlett tier champion Mineral Ridge Rams started their road to a district championship on Wednesday as they hosted Brookfield. They swept the Warriors to end the regular season, and swept them to open the tournament as well.  (25-21 25-19 25-12)

The Rams were led by Faith Schneider with 19 digs 13 kills and 2 blocks, Olivia Booth chipped in with 10 kills, Gianna Paris had a nice opening to tournament play with 10 digs and 3 Aces and Sammie Aulet kept setting the offense up for success with 24 assists.

With the victory the Lady Rams improve to a season record of 21-2 and advance in the tournament to play Wickliffe on Saturday October 22nd at Kirtland High School.

THE JOURNEY OF ORTIZ

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CANFIELD, OH- Senior tailback Caleb Ortiz sat down at Cocca’s Pizza to discuss his high school journey. Ortiz grew up in the northeastern Ohio area, until moving down south to the sunshine state of Florida when he was in sixth grade. Ortiz then moved back to Canfield for high school and has rejoined the Canfield football team for his senior season. He talks about falling back in love with the game, some teammates he has leaned on since arriving back, and his overall experience in Canfield. Check out this player profile brought to you by:

 

CAMPBELL SWEEPS PAST THE EAGLES

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GARRETTSVILLE OH- Campbell was not phased by the start of tournament time. They got right to work on Wednesday night as they played United on a neutral court in Garfield.  The Red Devils were able to get in and get out with a sweep of the Eagles to move on to the next round. (25-14 25-18 25-16)

Kendall Brunn led the offense once again as she rolled her way to 18 kills.  Cyra Cross played exceptionally well earning a double double with 11 kills and 12 digs.  Carla Ramirez Ortiz had a double double too with 32 assists, and 11 digs. Gabby Villanueva Santos, and Angeliz Diaz we’re both in double digit digs with 11, and 10 respectively.

Campbell advances to play Burton Berkshire on Saturday at 6:00 in Berkshire. The winner of that game punches a ticket to the district semifinals. It would be Campbell’s first trip to districts in program history.