News

National Trail seeks growth, consistency in 2026 campaign

(Photo Courtesy Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

NEW PARIS — National Trail enters the 2026 volleyball season with an experienced senior group, several returning varsity contributors and a goal of becoming a more consistent contender in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Blazers are entering their second season under head coach Ashley Blevins, who took over the varsity program after spending two seasons as National Trail’s junior varsity coach.

National Trail finished Blevins’ first season at the varsity helm with a 5-18 overall record and a 1-10 mark in the WOAC. With several players from that team back this fall, the Blazers hope a year of experience in Blevins’ system will translate into improvement.

Three starters return, led by seniors Jaelynn Remaklus and Madi Mann.

Remaklus will once again handle the libero position and is expected to provide a steady presence in the back row. Her varsity experience, court awareness and consistency should also make her an important leader for a roster that includes several younger players.

Mann returns at middle blocker and gives National Trail experience at the net. She will be counted on to contribute as an attacker and blocker as the Blazers seek improved production from their front row.

Junior Eva Swartsell is the third returning starter. A multi-year varsity contributor, Swartsell can play outside hitter or defensive specialist, giving Blevins flexibility with her rotations and an experienced player capable of contributing in multiple areas.

Senior Claire Osswald also returns and is expected to provide leadership at setter. Her ability to direct the offense and establish a consistent tempo will be important to National Trail’s development.

Sophomore outside hitter Jerzey Hawkins gained varsity experience as a freshman and will look to build on that experience with an expanded role this season.

The Blazers will also add sophomores Audrey Bane and Kamryn Howard to the varsity lineup after both played junior varsity last season.

Bane, a middle blocker, adds athleticism and depth in the middle and will have opportunities as both an attacker and blocker. Howard will provide another option on the right side as she adjusts to varsity competition.

With three returning starters, two other players with varsity experience and two sophomores making the jump from junior varsity, National Trail believes it has an opportunity to make progress in the WOAC.

For the Blazers, much of that progress will come down to consistency.

National Trail will emphasize aggressive serving, improved serve receive and limiting unforced errors. Finishing points when opportunities are available will also be important as the Blazers work to become a more difficult matchup throughout the conference schedule.

Having a full season under Blevins should help in that effort. Returning players enter the fall with a better understanding of the system and what is expected of them on the court.

The Blazers want to play disciplined, energetic and team-oriented volleyball while improving their overall and WOAC records. Just as importantly, National Trail hopes to establish greater consistency from set to set and continue building a foundation for the program’s future.

The Blazers are 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the WOAC after a loss to Newton (

Veteran-Laden Dixie Ready to Challenge for WOAC Crown

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

NEW LEBANON — With six returning starters, including two of the most accomplished players in program history, Dixie volleyball coach Cassidy Monnig believes the Greyhounds have the experience and talent to contend near the top of the Western Ohio Athletic Conference this season.
 
Monnig is in her seventh season with the Dixie program and second as head coach after spending five seasons as a varsity assistant.
 
The Greyhounds are coming off a 13-10 season in which they finished 7-4 in WOAC play. With much of that lineup back, expectations are higher this fall.
 
“I see us being very competitive this year and finishing at the top of our league,” Monnig said.
 
Leading the returning group are setter Teegan Miller and middle blocker Kendyl Hypes, a pair of four-year varsity starters who already own several Dixie school records.
 
 
Miller holds the program records for assists in a match with 43, assists in a season with 587 and career assists with 1,376 and counting. She earned second-team Division V District 15 and second-team All-WOAC honors in 2025 after receiving special mention from the conference in 2024.
 
Miller will also serve as a team captain.
 
Hypes, another captain, has established herself as one of the area's top offensive players. She owns Dixie's records for kills in a match with 29, kills in a season with 349 and career kills with 785.
 
That career total puts Hypes within reach of the 1,000-kill milestone this season.
 
Hypes was named the Division V District 15 Player of the Year in 2025 and earned first-team All-WOAC honors. She was a second-team All-WOAC selection in 2024.
 
The Greyhounds also return three-year starting libero Jacie Hartmier, who earned Division V District 15 special mention and All-WOAC special mention honors last season.
 
Outside hitter Ella Krietzer is back for her third season as a varsity starter, giving Dixie another experienced presence in the lineup.
 
Avah Leach returns as a defensive specialist for her second season as a varsity starter, while Madalynn DeLong is also back for her second year in the starting lineup and can contribute at right-side or outside hitter.
 
The amount of varsity experience throughout the lineup should allow Dixie to build on last year's winning season rather than having to replace a large portion of its rotation.
 
Monnig believes that familiarity and experience could prove especially important as the Greyhounds navigate the WOAC schedule.
 
“With our returning starters, I feel we will have a strong, knowledge-filled team,” Monnig said. “I see us having a winning season and finishing high in our conference.”
 
With Miller directing the offense, Hypes providing a proven attacking threat and an experienced group surrounding them, the Greyhounds enter the season with an opportunity to improve on last year's 13 victories and challenge for a spot among the WOAC's top teams.
 
The Greyhounds are currently 5-3 overall and 1-0 in the WOAC after defeating Bradford 25-11, 25-10, 25-23 earlier this week.

Experience, Leadership Fuel Newton's Volleyball Hopes

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

PLEASANT HILL — With seven experienced players returning to the varsity lineup, Newton volleyball coach Danita Rapp believes the Indians have the experience and versatility to make a strong push in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference this fall.

Rapp enters her seventh season as Newton’s varsity head coach with an 89-52 career record. The Indians finished 7-4 in WOAC play last season, tying Dixie for fifth place in the conference standings.

This season, Newton brings back a veteran group that includes three seniors and four juniors with significant varsity experience.

Senior Mya Denlinger returns for her third season as the Indians’ starting libero and will serve as a team captain. Denlinger earned second-team All-WOAC and second-team District 9 honors in 2025.

Senior Emily Laughman is another team captain and returns for her third season as Newton’s varsity starting setter, while senior Holly Morse is back for her second season as a starting middle hitter.

The junior class provides Newton with additional experience throughout the lineup.

Emma Rapp, a team captain, returns as a two-year varsity starter and six-rotation outside hitter and defensive specialist. Ella Bayer also returns as a two-year varsity starter and six-rotation outside hitter and defensive specialist.

Junior Izzy Prickett enters her third season as a starting middle hitter, while junior Meghan Addison returns for her second season as a varsity right-side hitter.

With so many players capable of filling multiple roles, Rapp expects the Indians’ experience and versatility to be among their biggest strengths.

“With a large number of returning varsity players and their versatility on the court, I expect Newton volleyball to be a highly competitive team this fall with a strong run at finishing in the top portion of the conference,” Rapp said. “They have utilized this preseason to prepare a strong team dynamic and improve their game. They are focused and eager to compete for a strong season ahead.”

Newton will also work two younger players into its varsity rotation.

Sophomore Viven Bowser joins the varsity lineup as a defensive specialist and right-side hitter, while freshman Rylee Alexander will contribute as a setter and right-side hitter.

Rapp said both newcomers should add depth and additional options to an already experienced lineup.

“We are excited about both of our newcomers and the depth and range of skill they will bring to our lineup this fall,” she said.

After finishing in the middle of the WOAC standings last season, Newton enters the fall with aspirations of climbing the conference standings. Rapp believes the combination of experience, leadership and a productive preseason has positioned the Indians to compete with the league’s top teams.

She also expects a group she describes as driven and high-achieving to continue developing as the season progresses.

“As their coach, I anticipate that this group will achieve the goals they have established for themselves,” Rapp said. “They are driven and high achievers both on and off the court, and I expect nothing less than that they will give this season their 100% effort and will work to improve with every match.

“I am excited to see them compete.”

The Indians are currently 2-3 overall. They opened the season with three straight losses to Troy Christian (25-17, 25-23, 26-24), Covington (25-13, 25-15, 25-13) and Tri-Village (25-23, 25-21) before winning two straight over Bradford (25-9, 25-19) and Ansonia (25-19, 20-25, 25-15).

Big Plays, Ground Game Lift Trojans Past Panthers

 

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

ARCANUM — Arcanum used a productive ground attack and several timely big plays to take control Friday night, pulling away from Tri-County North for a 43-12 Western Ohio Athletic Conference victory.
 
The Trojans built a 22-6 halftime advantage in the Aug. 28 matchup before adding three touchdowns in the second half.
 
Arcanum coach Matt Macy said the game unfolded much as he expected against a physical North squad.
 
“Kind of played out how I thought,” Macy said. “I knew they would be physical and tough, and they were, and so were we. We just made a ton of mistakes. We couldn’t get out of our own way again, but we’ll fix them.”
 
Despite those mistakes, Macy was pleased with his team’s ability to protect the football and create explosive plays.
 
“I thought we took care of the ball pretty well and made some really big plays in helping us get ahead,” he said.
 
North coach Nicholas Bandstra credited Arcanum while acknowledging the Panthers did not play to the standard they have set for themselves.
 
“I’m not going to lie, I don’t think we performed up to our expectation,” Bandstra said. “And Arcanum is a good football team. I will never take that away from Coach Macy and what he does over there and what they’ve built here. But we got to play better. We got to perform better, and that starts with me and our coaching staff, and we got to get these kids to where they need to be.”
 
Neither offense found the end zone on its opening possession.
 
North’s first drive ended on downs at its own 35-yard line, giving Arcanum an early opportunity. The Panthers’ defense responded, however, stopping the Trojans on downs at the North 13.
 
After North punted on its next possession, Arcanum broke through. Quarterback Weston Schmidt connected with Bishop Cartwright for a 7-yard touchdown pass, and MJ Macy added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead with one minute remaining in the first quarter.
 
The Trojans quickly got the ball back when North fumbled. Arcanum capitalized as Macy scored on a 14-yard run with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Trojans ahead 14-0.
 
North responded late in the half.
 
 
Taking possession with 5:24 remaining, the Panthers put together their first scoring drive of the night. Luke Baughman finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting Arcanum’s advantage to 14-6 with 1:33 remaining.
 
Instead of taking an eight-point lead into halftime, Arcanum delivered one of the game’s biggest plays.
 
Schmidt connected on a 57-yard touchdown pass to Ross Wagner with 39 seconds remaining, then found Talan Stone for the two-point conversion to give the Trojans a 22-6 halftime lead.
 
Macy said the response was important after North had generated momentum with its touchdown.
 
“They had just scored and I thought our guys were dragging a little bit and Coach (Tyler) Cates dialed it up, man,” Macy said. “Something we were seeing the whole half and he asked me if we wanted to go get it, and I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s get some momentum going at halftime.’ It was a great play.”
 
For North, surrendering the late score provided another lesson in handling adversity.
 
“It was upsetting. I’m not going to lie,” Bandstra said. “That’s why I talk about adversity. We got to be able to respond to those things like that. Because again, big plays are going to happen, but we got to be able to flip the script and reset. It’s a learning moment from week two.”
 
North’s defense opened the second half by stopping Arcanum on downs at the Panthers’ 15, but the Trojans soon regained control.
 
 
Macy broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run with 6:46 remaining in the third quarter, extending Arcanum’s lead to 28-6.
 
Schmidt added a 1-yard touchdown run and ran in the two-point conversion with 2:06 remaining in the quarter, pushing the margin to 36-6.
 
The Panthers continued to battle and put together their longest scoring drive of the game in the fourth quarter.
 
North drove 78 yards, with Baughman connecting with Peyton Fannin for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 7:28 remaining to make it 36-12.
 
Arcanum answered once more. Schmidt scored on a 7-yard run with 3:36 remaining, and Joey Marshall added the extra point to complete the scoring at 43-12.
 
Arcanum did much of its damage on the ground, rushing for 293 yards on 37 attempts, an average of 7.9 yards per carry.
 
Macy led the Trojans with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Schmidt added 59 yards and two scores on nine attempts, while Hudson Knaus gained 42 yards on two carries.

Schmidt also completed 13 of 20 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Arcanum finished with 459 yards of total offense.
 
 
North totaled 214 yards, with 113 coming on the ground and 101 through the air. The Panthers completed 7 of 9 passes but converted just 2 of 9 third downs and 1 of 3 fourth-down opportunities.

Baughman completed 4 of 5 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Corbin Oswalt was 3 of 4 for 49 yards.
 
Jake Wiegand led North’s rushing attack with 62 yards on 12 carries, including a 29-yard run. Eli Creech added 28 yards on eight attempts.

Fannin caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Grayson Woodworth finished with three receptions for 41 yards. Corbin Flory added one catch for 17 yards.
 
Defensively, Wiegand and Oswalt led North with 11 tackles apiece. Luke Wright recorded seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, while Fannin and Flory each had six tackles.
 
Knaus paced Arcanum with 13 tackles. Avery Bowser and Caleb Baker each had seven, with Bowser recording a sack and two tackles for loss. Macy also finished with seven tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss.
 
While pleased with the victory, Macy said the Trojans have plenty to clean up. Arcanum was penalized 11 times for 76 yards.
 
“I think the message was just we got to play cleaner,” Macy said. “They’re a good team. They’re young, and against more experienced teams, it’s going to be hard to win those kind of games when you just keep getting penalties.”
 
One thing Macy said he continues to be able to count on is his team’s effort.
 
“It’s always their effort,” he said. “I think our guys give great effort, win, lose or draw. We can always lean on that. It’s kind of the basis of our program, just effort and toughness, and that got us through tonight.”
 
Bandstra, meanwhile, said the loss has not changed his belief in the Panthers as they move into another difficult portion of their WOAC schedule.
 
“I think we’re still a good football team that can compete in this league,” Bandstra said. “I don’t have any doubt about that. We didn’t perform up to our standard. It’s a three-week stretch counting this week with the big boys and we got to perform better.”
 
North will face Tri-Village next before taking on Ansonia the following week.
 
“The next three weeks are going to be telling,” Bandstra said.

Arrows Face Rebuild After Championship Season

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

CAMDEN — A year after winning a Western Ohio Athletic Conference championship, the Preble Shawnee boys soccer team enters the 2026 season with a new-look roster and a familiar face taking over the program.

Veteran coach Jeff Stiver takes the reins after spending the past five seasons as an assistant with the boys program. Stiver is entering his 32nd year of coaching overall, including 27 seasons as a girls head coach, but this will be his first season as a boys head coach.

He inherits an Arrows program coming off an 11-6-2 season and a 7-0-1 mark in WOAC play.

Repeating that success will require a largely new group to develop quickly.

Preble Shawnee graduated eight seniors and nine starters from last year's championship team. That group included WOAC Player of the Year Ethen Fields and another first-team all-conference selection, along with two second-team selections and an honorable mention honoree.

Only two starters return, and just seven of the 21 players on this year's roster were part of the program last season.

"This is a total rebuild," Stiver said.

The Arrows have only one senior on the roster, and he returns to soccer after not playing the past two seasons.

Five juniors give Shawnee some additional experience. Colt Lyon, Braylen Haerr and Will Eickelberger return from last year's team, while another junior returns to the sport after not playing last season. A fifth junior transferred into the program after spending the previous two years playing football.

The sophomore class features seven players, with John Pegg, Jacob Trent, Jace Burton and Carson Burger among the four who saw action last season.

Eight freshmen complete the roster, giving Stiver a young group that could develop together over the next several seasons.

With so little varsity experience returning, Stiver isn't looking to make things overly complicated. Instead, the Arrows are emphasizing fundamentals and steady improvement as they build chemistry.

"We are trying to simplify things, going back to the basics and hopefully continue to get better each and every day," Stiver said.

Shawnee also wants to be a well-conditioned team capable of controlling possession and dictating the pace of play.

"Hopefully, we'll be in good shape, play a possession-type soccer and get some wins along the way," Stiver said.

The Arrows may look considerably different from the team that went unbeaten in WOAC play a year ago, but the defending champions will have an opportunity to establish a new identity in 2026.

For Stiver and his young roster, success will begin with development. With only seven returning players and eight freshmen, the Arrows will look to make progress throughout the season while attempting to remain competitive in the WOAC race.

The Arrows are off to an 0-4 start, including 0-2 in WOAC play.