OHSAA DI girls volleyball: Ursuline awaits opponent in regional final after sweeping MND

WEST CHESTER, Ohio −The Girls Greater Catholic League Invitational, also known as the Southwest Ohio Division I regional semifinals, takes place this week at Lakota West High School. Ranked No. 1 in the state by the Ohio Volleyball Coaches Association, Ursuline prevailed over Mount Notre Dame Wednesday and now awaits the winner of Thursday night's St. Ursula/Seton match.

The winners then square off in Saturday's regional final at 2 p.m. in the same gym.

More:4 Girls Greater Catholic League schools in OHSAA volleyball top 10. Ursuline is No. 1

Ursuline gets the post-Halloween broom out in MND victory

GGCL champion Ursuline faced Mount Notre Dame for the third time this season in Wednesday's rubber match. The two powerhouses split during the regular campaign with the Lions winning in straight sets at MND but falling in five in the return match at Ursuline.

On this night, outside of a run by MND in the second game, it was a somewhat dominant performance by Ursuline who took the straight-set sweep 25-17, 25-22, 25-14. While the girls played the old song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in their locker room, there was no sleeping on the hardwood as MND tried several timeouts to stop the momentum, only to see the Lions claw right back.

"You can't ever anticipate a three-sweep, especially late in the tournament," Ursuline coach Ali Butcher said. "MND is always a good match for us. It's a lot of kids that know each other so it's a matter of managing emotions while executing the game plan."

Nothing but respect:'She's such a competitor.' MND outside hitter leaves impression on GGCL competition

Ursuline is now 22-3 and avenges the earlier loss to the Cougars. League mate Mercy McAuley was their only other Ohio defeat with one coming against Kentucky's Louisville Assumption. Wednesday was their ninth straight win and since Sept. 6 they are 15-1. The league slate only helps this time of year.

"We try to make sure we balance our schedule with high-level teams that could challenge us any night we are playing," Butcher said.

For the record, behind Ursuline is No. 2 Rockey River Magnificat, whom the Lions also downed in three sets this season. From the GGCL, St. Ursula is No. 3 with Seton No. 5. Mercy McAuley is No. 3 in Division II.

For Ursuline, University of Kentucky-bound, 6-foot-3-inch GGCL kill and block leader Brooke Bultema recorded her 1,000th career kill in the contest. Her downward drives can reach dangerous velocities. She credits her teammates for setting her up and credits the league for providing top-notch competition.

"There's so many talented players in this league," Bultema said. "You cannot take anyone lightly. Everyone's going to give you their best game. No game is a guarantee. That's what makes it so much fun. Everyone knows each other and respects each other and gives it their all for every game. It's so much fun!"

Who will play the Lions Saturday?

The other regional semifinal happens Thursday when St. Ursula plays Seton. The Bulldogs have swept the Saints in the GGCL regular-season run.

St. Ursula has had the longest drought in state appearances having not been since winning it all in 2003. Seton has not been since their title in 2005. Ursuline has not been since winning the crown in 2018. MND made the semis last year and won their last championship in 2020 during the pandemic season that wrapped up at Vandalia Butler High School.

Saturday's regional final winner moves to the Division I state semifinals at Wright State against the winners of Olentangy Liberty/Dublin Coffman vs. Bishop Watterson/Dublin Jerome at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Nutter Center. The winner advances to the state championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.

What's the history of GGCL volleyball?

It's nothing short of remarkable.

More:'There are no days off.' Who leads the GGCL, Ohio's most dominant volleyball league?

MND has made 17 state appearances, winning 10 state championships. Ursuline logs in at 14 appearances with seven titles while St. Ursula has been 11 times with eight championships. Seton, which won the competitive GGCL two years ago, has made 12 visits to the state tournament with six titles. Mercy McAuley (as Mother of Mercy before the merger with McAuley) has nine state trips and four championships. The Wolves are a Division II team now shooting for another run at state, their first as Mercy McAuley.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: OHSAA Southwest regional volleyball essentially is GGCL Invitational