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Two teams from Buckeye Central could battle for the title

VaselineJuly 20, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Two teams from Buckeye Central could battle for the title

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment in a summer series.

We’re halfway through the Crawford 12 and for the second week in a row we’re looking at two teams from the same school.

Both have some excellent returning athletes — a few overlap — and have what it takes to compete for league titles and postseason glory. But to do that, they’ll have to trudge through a tough Northern 10 schedule.

If you missed the first three episodes featuring the honorable mentions and teams 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, you can find them via the links below.

Crawford 12 – No. 8, 9 Two talented teams full of enthusiasm for spring

Crawford 12 – no. 10, 11, 12: Three teams enter the fall with high expectations

Crawford 12: Teams that earn an honorable mention have what it takes to compete

Without further ado, let’s take a look at numbers 6 and 7 in the Crawford 12.

7. Buckeye Central Volleyball

The Buckettes are coming off a phenomenal season that saw them make a run to the regional championship before ultimately finishing as the regional runner-up. It was significant because the program had not won a district title since reaching state in 2017.

Last fall, they were led by Telegraph-Forum Player of the Year and second-team All-Ohioan Mia McDougal and her 319 kills, 28 aces, 108 blocks, 359 digs, 44 assists, 200 receptions. But she’s graduated, along with libero Ella Steele who took a big step forward by taking over the position and hitter Kimmy Biglin who really came on late in the season. Steele was second on the team in receptions with 346 and Biglin was third on offense with 162 kills.

But the closet certainly isn’t empty, as Mia’s younger sisters — rising senior Mara and soon-to-be junior Maren — are back after playing a LOT of volleyball over the course of their lives. Mara could play just about any position and returns as the team’s leader in kills (271), aces (99), digs (438) and receptions (490), while Maren is one of the team’s top setters, dishing out 760 assists last fall to go along with 51 aces, 73 kills, 28 blocks and 193 digs.

Junior Aleyse Siefert showed tremendous growth and proved to be a difference maker late in the season and during the postseason run. She finished her sophomore year with 51 kills, 27 aces, 30 blocks, 119 digs and 127 assists. Her classmate Adrienne Jury developed into a threat at the net, finishing with 132 kills, 35 blocks and 47 digs — she, Siefert and the two returning McDougals were four of five Buckettes to play in all 92 sets.

Fellow junior Olivia Bishop was used sparingly last season, appearing in 27 sets and recording three aces, 52 digs and 89 receptions. Savannah Pace, a junior, was the only other player to see varsity time. Those two, along with rising sophomores Graceyn Hook, Emma Keller and Myli Estridge and freshman Megan Siefert, are likely to see action this fall and will need to quickly adjust to varsity play.

Fortunately, they have an experienced senior in Mara, along with junior leaders in Maren, Jury and Siefert to lead the younger girls. The Northern 10 is always a tough conference and this year should be no different as Mohawk returns the reigning Player of the Year, Carey and Wynford return a ton of talent and Seneca East has a ton of returnees as well. As for defending their district title, the Buckettes know what it takes to win big games when it counts.

6. Buckeye Central Softball

Yes, the program has won just 47 games over the past decade, 28 of which came in three seasons: 2015, 2016 and 2024.

Yes, the Buckettes are better known for their volleyball (see above) and basketball.

But this isn’t a typical spring coming up for Buckeye Central softball. Centerfielder Faye Betts is the only graduate from the squad, and while she’s been a fixture in the lineup since her freshman year, they have talent that will fit right in.

More: Bucyrus alumna Caleigh Rister named Division II Freshman of the Year in softball at Cal U

It all starts with Collene, perhaps the best pitcher/hitter we’ve seen since Bucyrus’ Caleigh Rister, who played almost half of her junior season due to suspension. Still, she managed to bat .474 with 18 hits, six homers, 16 runs and 17 RBIs to go along with a 2.73 ERA with 110 strikeouts and 15 walks in 74⅓ innings. For the stats nerds… 33% of her hits in the 13 games played were over the fence, she averaged 1.48 strikeouts per inning and struck out seven batters for every walk.

Add Jury at shortstop, who was second on the team offensively and filled in for Collene. She finished with a .357 average, 20 hits, two triples, 19 runs, five RBIs and drew 19 walks while striking out 37 with a 6.05 ERA in 37 innings pitched. Plus rising sophomore Phoebe Rafferty (.254 avg., 15 hits) at first base, Pace (.216 avg., eight hits) at second, Siefert (.218 avg., 12 hits) at third and senior Zoey Hoskins (.281 avg., 16 hits, 11 runs) at catcher. The Buckettes have every infielder back, which is a big advantage over many teams.

Friday night lights: Crawford County high school football schedule for the 2024 season

Bishop (.200 average, nine hits) is back in left field, with junior Leah Fields in right field. Junior Cierra Schneider (.212 average, 11 hits) is a contender to take over center field, but she’ll likely face competition since seven extra players played in at least three games last spring.

Coach Todd Messmer has revitalized the program, taking the Buckettes from two wins in 2022 to five the following year and eight recently, winning the postseason two years in a row since 2015 and 2016.

Anyone who knows softball knows the value of a star pitcher. With Collene in the circle, a veteran infield, plus big hitters up top and reliable bats down low — Buckeye Central could have a historic spring in 2025.

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Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden

VaselineJuly 20, 2024

0 4 minutes read