OHSAA girls volleyball state semifinals: Ursuline plays for a title, Badin falls short

Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read

FAIRBORN, Ohio − Southwest Ohio girls volleyball was represented Friday at Wright State University's Nutter Center with Division I Ursuline of the Girls Greater Catholic League and Division II Badin of the Greater Catholic League-Coed Division.

Late in the afternoon, Ursuline cemented its chances for an eighth state title by taking down Bishop Watterson of Columbus. Back at state for the first time in four years, the now 24-3 Lions clawed the Eagles in a sweep, 25-16, 25-15, 25-23. The final set was knotted up 12 times.

"We're really excited!" Ursuline coach Ali Butcher said. "Our team did a really good job of executing to their plan. That really worked out for us."

WATCH:What approach does No. 1 Ursuline Academy volleyball take?

Earlier, in their first-ever state appearance, Division II Badin went five sets against defending back-to-back champion Gilmour Academy. In their fourth five-set match of the season, the Rams fell short 12-25, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 10-15. It was their first loss since Aug. 25 against McNicholas.

Division I

Ursuline's matchup with Bishop Watterson was a rematch of their first game of the season Aug. 20, a four-set victory.

In front of an Ursuline white-out in the stands, the Lions controlled set one, 25-16. The second set continued with a barrage of missiles fired from Kentucky-bound Brooke Bultema, Lindy Radaszewski, Katie Gielas and Ella Grimes, many set up by Lindsey Green.

Ursuline Academy's Brooke Bultema (13) goes up for a kill attempt over Bishop Watterson's Ava Hoying (5) during their state semifinal Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Ursuline Academy's Brooke Bultema (13) goes up for a kill attempt over Bishop Watterson's Ava Hoying (5) during their state semifinal Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

The final set had three lead changes but the Lions wouldn't sleep on this night, pulling it out 25-23 to earn a return trip Saturday.

Bultema's bolts carry a vicious amount of velocity. With each thump, the ear-splitting Ursuline student section reached louder screams as victory neared. She finished with 17 kills and Radaszewski added 11. Green had 42 assists.

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"You can never expect a sweep," Bultema said. "We played Bishop Watterson at the beginning of the season but we knew it wasn't going to be an easy match. I'm just so proud of this team. We fought so hard all season."

Ursuline Academy's Lindy Radaszewski (20) goes up for a kill attempt during their state semifinal against Bishop Watterson Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Ursuline Academy's Lindy Radaszewski (20) goes up for a kill attempt during their state semifinal against Bishop Watterson Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

The Lions now play Perrysburg/Rocky River Magnificat Saturday evening at 5 p.m. in their quest for another Division I title. They swept a regular season encounter at Magnificat on Oct. 1.

The Lions haven't lost since Sept. 29 in a five-set battle with Girls Greater Catholic League rival Mount Notre Dame.

Division II

Badin had the 2 p.m. matinee performance Friday against Gates Mills Gilmour Academy. The Lancers showed why they are back-to-back champions as Rams coach Courtney Weinheimer called them the best team she had seen this season.

"We left everything out there on the floor," Weinheimer said. "Our girls played their hearts out and did not give up. I really thought we had them. It just didn't go our way."

Badin's Olivia Schmidt (14) and her teammates react during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Badin's Olivia Schmidt (14) and her teammates react during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Olivia Schmidt led the Rams with 13 kills and Grace Glover had 42 assists. In their final prep games, Sarah Newberry and Alyvia Hegemann had 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Hegemann added 17 digs.

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The Rams sputtered from the start and couldn't recover in the first set, losing 25-12. It took them a while to adjust to the vast Nutter Center.

"We were nervous, scared and timid," Newberry said. "It was challenging."

Badin's Sarah Newberry reacts during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Badin's Sarah Newberry reacts during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

The second set was pretty much the opposite with Badin leading throughout. The Rams held off a late Lancers run to prevail 25-21, the first state-set victory in the history of the school.

Set three went to Gilmour which rallied to score the final three points to win 25-23. With their backs against the wall in set four 24-22, the Rams fought back to stay alive, 26-24. However, the momentum couldn't be sustained as Gilmour won the fifth and final set 15-10.

Badin's Grace Glover advances the ball during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Badin's Grace Glover advances the ball during the state semifinal against Gilmore Academy Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

"We have not seen anyone on our schedule that compares to them; the quickness of the game, that absolute height and that big block," Weinheimer said.

Gilmour plays Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. for the Division II title. The Lions defeated Union Local in straight sets early Friday afternoon. Badin finishes the season an impressive 27-2.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ursuline advances to Saturday's Ohio girls volleyball state DI final