News

Story and photos by Jim Freeman

ARCANUM — Arcanum may return only one established starter from last season’s undefeated WOAC championship team, but the Lady Trojans have no intention of lowering their expectations.

Head coach Jacie Holman’s team finished 20-6 last season, went 11-0 in conference play and captured the WOAC championship. Arcanum entered this season with a different-looking lineup, but also with the desire to build upon that success.

“Our team’s strength this year is our desire to want to win and be the best team we can be every time we step onto the court,” Holman said. “We had such a successful season last year, and these girls want even more this year.”

Senior libero Cameron Garbig provides the foundation for the retooled lineup. A three-year starter, Garbig received Special Mention All-WOAC honors in 2024 and was named to the second team in 2025.

Holman considers Garbig vital to Arcanum’s offense and defense because of her communication, court awareness and ability to place her serve in difficult locations.

The Trojans also return seniors Ella Flatter, Emily Fox and Jordyn Garbig.

Flatter has played on the right side for three years and provides a steady presence capable of making important plays. Fox and Jordyn Garbig give Arcanum two experienced defensive specialists who read opposing hitters well and are willing to pursue difficult balls.

Sophomore setter Halle Bennett returns to direct the offense. Her familiarity with Arcanum’s hitters and effectiveness from the service line should make her an important part of the team’s success.

Junior middle hitter Gabrielle “Gabby” Nottingham gives the Trojans a threat at the net. Nottingham can locate open areas in an opposing defense, while also contributing as a blocker and back-row defender when needed.

Several players are stepping into larger varsity roles.

Junior setter Mollei Gilbert brings a strong understanding of her hitters and the ability to place her serve throughout the court. Junior Kennedy Freeman provides a different challenge as a left-handed right-side hitter, while junior outside hitter Addie Macy combines a strong swing with good court awareness.

Junior Gabrielle Wooten is moving from the middle to the right side, where her height and ability to read hitters should make her a significant blocking presence.

Sophomores Harlow Etherington and Harper Smith will also contribute at the net. Etherington brings a solid swing and an ability to adjust to the defense, while Smith made significant progress during the offseason and defends the net well from the middle. Sophomore Katrina Baker adds depth as a defensive specialist.

Despite returning numerous varsity contributors, Holman said consistency will be Arcanum’s greatest developmental challenge. Some rotations may contain only one or two players who saw substantial action last season.

“When we get in a groove, it is hard to stop us,” Holman said. “But we just need to learn to play consistently versus playing our best and then playing mediocre.”

The Trojans demonstrated their resilience while capturing their fourth consecutive Greenville Federal Volleyball Invitational championship. After losing a close opening set to Tri-Village in the championship match, Arcanum responded by winning the next two sets to secure the title.

Holman wants the Trojans to play intelligently and aggressively, eliminate their own mistakes and force opponents to earn points. Rather than looking too far ahead, Arcanum divides each set into smaller races—first to five points, then first to 10—allowing the players to concentrate on the immediate moment.

The Trojans understand that winning last season’s championship placed a target on the program. Their response is to embrace it.

Holman believes the WOAC race could be competitive from night to night. Arcanum’s goals include another conference championship and a deep postseason run, but the Trojans know neither can be achieved in one evening.

Their focus remains one match, one set and one point at a time.

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Story and photos by Jim Freeman

Mississinawa Valley reached impressive heights during Taylor Roark’s first season as head coach, finishing 21-5 and capturing a district championship.

The challenge now is sustaining that success with one of the WOAC’s youngest rosters.

The Blackhawks return three accomplished senior starters, but the remaining seven players on their 10-player varsity roster are freshmen and sophomores. Mississinawa Valley does not have a junior listed.

Roark believes the combination of veteran leadership and young talent can keep the Blackhawks in contention for the WOAC championship while giving them an opportunity to defend their district title.

Senior middle hitter Gretchen Rodeheffer leads the returning group. A four-year starter and Honorable Mention All-WOAC selection, Rodeheffer provides Mississinawa Valley with experience and stability at the net.

Senior Ava Hummel returns at setter after two seasons as a starter, while senior Ella Godfrey is back for her second season as the starting libero.

Roark expects all three seniors to provide leadership, along with sophomore setter Ella Livingston.

“Each player will contribute to the team’s success,” Roark said.

Livingston and sophomore right-side hitter Addy Preston are two of the team’s key returning players. Sophomore defensive specialist Aubrey Lang also gives the Blackhawks another young player capable of contributing in the back row.

Four freshmen complete the varsity roster.

Mylie Austerman will contribute as a middle hitter, while Kate Hartzell joins the attack as an outside hitter. Defensive specialists Harper McGlothlin and Madi Neiport will work to provide additional back-row depth.

The roster’s youth will inevitably lead to teachable moments. Roark said the Blackhawks must learn to overcome the mistakes that come with inexperience. She believes the team’s cohesion and work ethic will help it through those stretches.

“Our greatest strengths include our ability to work as a team toward a goal,” Roark said. “We have cohesion, hustle and heart.”

Mississinawa Valley intends to play at a fast pace offensively and support that attack with a scrappy defense. The presence of two capable setters should give Roark flexibility as the younger hitters adjust to varsity competition.

The Blackhawks finished second in the WOAC last season before advancing to win a district championship. Roark believes graduation losses throughout the conference have created an open race this year.

She expects defending champion Arcanum, Tri-Village and Newton to be among the leading contenders, but also believes every match begins with an equal opportunity.

“The score always starts 0-0,” Roark said.

Mississinawa Valley received an early test at the Greenville Federal Volleyball Invitational. The Blackhawks defeated Ansonia in three sets before falling to eventual champion Arcanum and Greenville, finishing fourth overall.

Those matches provided valuable court time for a team attempting to combine three proven seniors with seven underclassmen.

Roark enters her second season at Mississinawa Valley with a 21-5 record at the school. She is beginning her fourth season overall as a varsity head coach and entered the year with a 44-29 career record.

The Blackhawks’ goals remain high. They want to improve each day, compete for the WOAC championship and put themselves in position to win another district title.

Whether they reach those goals will depend upon how quickly the young players adjust and how effectively the experienced seniors lead them. Mississinawa Valley may be youthful, but after last season’s breakthrough, the program is no longer taking anyone by surprise.

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(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 (

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

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).