Local volleyball teams forged in powerful leagues

Tough competition, state tourney experience the rule in GCL, GGCL, MAC.

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 9:26 PM Thursday, August 25, 2011

Alter High School volleyball coach Tina Jasinowski is not one to back down from a challenge, but this was different.

The Knights were poised to join the competitive Girls Greater Cincinnati League in 1999, and she wasn’t sure it was a good move.

“I was really apprehensive, I didn’t want to do it,” she said. “I was in my fourth season and we were just starting to make some strides. When you’re trying to build a program and get some confidence, you don’t want to get thrown into a league where everyone is going to kick your butt.”

The Knights took some hits, including an 0-11 league record that first year, but have since become a Division II state power, making five state tournament appearances and winning three state titles since 2002.

“I was not sold early on, but in the long run, it definitely paid off,” Jasinowski said.

What difference does a league make? Ask Alter, Fenwick or any of the 29 GGCL state volleyball championship teams. GGCL teams have snagged D-I and D-II titles in the same year eight times between 1995 and 2006.

And when it comes to small schools that play big, it’s tough to find a league in Ohio that rivals the Midwest Athletic Conference.

MAC teams have taken 12 state volleyball championships in the past 26 years, and there has been at least one MAC team in the state tournament for the past 17 years.

This year, teams in both conferences look to build on those winning traditions.

GGCL

Defending D-III state champion Fenwick captured its first state title last year, but graduated nine players. The Falcons return two hitters who garnered all-district accolades in senior middle Kristin Thompson and senior right-side hitter Casey Volz. The pair combined for close to 300 kills and 100 blocks last season.

“With the league schedule as tough as it is, you get tested every night,” Fenwick coach Yoon Ha said. “It teaches you mental toughness.”

Alter returns eight players from last season’s D-II state-qualifying squad, including Penn State recruit Megan Courtney, who led the Knights in aces (40) and kills (327). Also back is Sara Crotty, who led the team in blocks (73) and was second in digs (212) and aces (33), and Mary Rodehaver, who led Alter with 463 assists.

“We should be a little better than last year,” Jasinowski said. “I felt like last year we were very talented, but young and inexperienced.”

MAC

The MAC teams share the wealth, as seven different schools have combined for 21 state appearances in the past 17 years.

In that time, eight teams have been crowned champions, including three consecutive titles by Marion Local from 2007-09.

“Our conference, day in and day out, is a battle from top to bottom,” Marion Local coach Amy Steininger said. “I think it’s the best small-school conference in the state.”

The Flyers, who fell to eventual state champion Lehman Catholic in the 2010 regional final, return All-Ohio middle blocker Margaret Wuebker.

St. Henry and Minster also return All-Ohio players.The Redskins have first-team senior Katie Hoyng and the Wildcats have honorable mention recipient Dana Stucke.

Just how tough is it up north?

Last year’s top three D-IV teams in the state — Marion Local, Lehman Catholic and Fort Loramie — all battled it out in the same regional.

D-III state qualifier Parkway will jump into that mix this season, as the Panthers moved down to D-IV.

Players to watch

Megan Courtney, sr., Alter: The 6-foot-2 Penn State recruit led the state-qualifying Knights last season in kills (327) and aces (40).

Katie Hoyng, sr., St. Henry: The 5-9 All-Ohio first team outside hitter led the Redskins in kills and was second in digs.

Grace Kauth, jr., Chaminade Julienne: The third-team All-Ohio middle hitter led the Eagles in kills (426) and blocks (27).

Janna Krafka, sr., Centerville: The honorable mention All-Ohio defensive specialist crushed the Elks’ school record for digs with 561.

Andrea Thobe, jr., Lehman Catholic: The 5-10 setter posted 899 assists and earned second-team All-Ohio honors.

Margaret Wuebker, sr., Marion Local: The 6-1 middle blocker was third-team All-Ohio, led the Flyers in kill efficiency (.368) and was second in blocks (59).

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