VOLLEYBALL: Miedema, Welfle named first-team All-Ohio

The area had a strong showing once again as the All-Ohio teams were released Monday by the Ohio Volleyball Coaches Association.

Two hitters who have helped lead their teams to this weekend’s state tournament were both first-team selections as Huron’s Jesse Miedema made the top list in Division III and St. Paul’s Amber Welfle did the same in Division IV.

In Division II, seniors Jamie Hoppe (Clyde) and Emily Stewart (Edison) were named to the third team. Both players this season surpassed the 1,000-kill and 1,000-dig marks in their careers.

In Division IV, Welfle was joined as an All-Ohioan by three teammates as seniors Hannah Livengood and Kaylee Bundschuh along with sophomore Corynne Smith were named to the 14-player honorable mention list.

“It’s well deserved,” Huron coach Don Wood said of Miedema. “She was honorable mention a year ago, had a very strong offseason, and her senior season has been very efficient in hitting.

“There was a definite improvement for someone who has her whole heart into this team and this tournament run. Plus, she is going to have a nice career beyond this when she goes to Radford next year.”

Welfle is a four-year starter for St. Paul.

“I’m thrilled for her,” St. Paul coach Nancy Miller said. “An honor like that is a tribute to the years of hard work and a dedication she has put into the sport. It’s also a tribute to her teammates.

“To have a supporting cast the way she does that pushes each other, it’s a big factor.”

The Lady Flyers play at 4 p.m. Thursday in a Div. IV state semifinal against Tuscarawas Catholic in Dayton. Huron plays at  2 p.m. Friday against Middletown Bishop Fenwick in a Div. III semifinal.