All-Ohio Volleyball: Wadsworth's Rowan Kelly named to Division II first team

WOOSTER — Wadsworth senior setter Rowan Kelly, who dished out 671 assists for the Division II, Region 6 finalists, has been named to the Division II All-Ohio first team by the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association. Kelly ranks 10th in the state with an average of 9.19 assists per set and 13th in total helpers, amassing 137 over postseason matches as the Grizzlies advanced to the regional finals for the second consecutive season. The 6-foot-1 Ohio University recruit is just the third player in Medina County history to earn first-team honors and the second to do so for Wadsworth. She joins Kacie Evans of the Grizzlies (2017-2018) and Ally Badowski of Brunswick (2015). "I am beyond thrilled to be honored with this award," Kelly said. "I would not have been able to achieve this accomplishment without the support and leadership of Coach Ally (Wines) and the strong play of my teammates." Kelly, a second-team All-Ohio selection in 2024, was a triple threat in the front row with 121 kills and 56 blocks. She also had 36 aces and 180 digs for the Grizzlies, who finished 24-2 and were ranked No. 4 in the final state coaches poll. Despite not playing half of her sophomore season due to OHSAA transfer rules, Kelly completed her career in 69th place on the state all-division assist list with 2,318 assists. Her 1,830 with Wadsworth are a school record after totaling 488 as a freshman at St. Vincent-St. Mary. Grizzlies outside hitter Lauren Decker, who ranks second in the state with an average of 5.6 kills per set and sixth with 442 total kills, also was recognized by the OHSVCA as a member of the All-Ohio second team for the second straight season. The Robert Morris recruit ripped a career-high 31 kills against Avon in the Region 6 championship, giving her 1,477 in her four years at Wadsworth. Evans is the lone county player with more, hammering 1,569 from 2015-18 before a stellar collegiate run at Georgia. Decker currently is sixth in the state this year with a .459 kill percentage and made 261 digs with 45 aces. She and Kelly are the only county teammates to be voted onto the All-Ohio first or second team in the same season, now accomplishing it twice. Highland middle hitter Kamryn Heldreth, who established career bests in every major category, was a honorable mention in D-III. She was a dynamo for the regional semifinalists, collecting 266 kills, 78 blocks and 41 aces with a .426 hitting percentage. Ashland University recruit Heldreth is fifth among D-III athletes in hitting percentage and eighth in blocks, giving the county a trio of OHSVCA award recipients for the first time since 2021. "I was so thrilled to be selected," Heldreth said. "It truly shows how hard I have worked the last four years to reach my full potential. I can't wait to carry that to college with me." Kelly, Decker and Heldreth will be presented with their All-Ohio medals at the State All-Star Match on Nov. 16 at Wooster High. Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X. All-Ohio first teamsDivision I — Callie Combs (Cincinnati Seton, OH, sr.), Emma Cugino (Olentangy Orange, L, sr.), Emma Freitch (Cincinnati St. Ursula, L, sr.), Grace Jones (Cincinnati Seton, L, sr.), McKenna Kirlin (Loveland, S, sr.), Katie Pahl (Perrysburg, OH, sr.), Mackenzie Palumbo (Dublin Jerome, OH, sr.), Elizabeth Scholvin (Olentangy Orange, S, sr.).Division II — Sydney Borowy (Magnificat, OH, sr.), Rowan Kelly (Wadsworth, S, sr.), Ava McIntyre (Kings Mills Kings, OH, sr.), Emily Odon (Olmsted Falls, S, sr.), Leah Pike (Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, MB, sr.), Mallory Pike (Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, OH, sr.), Sara Snowbarger (Wooster, OH, sr.), Londyn Stone (Avon, OH, sr.).Division III — Kendall Bosse (Toledo Ross, OH, sr.), Ava Brown (Lexington, OH, sr.), Savannah Clawson (Tippecanoe, OH, sr.), Jillian Forrest (Cincinnati Ursuline, MB, jr.), Caroline Hanner (Dover, OH, sr.), Sylvia Haughn (Bloom-Carroll, OH, sr.), Ali Hayes (Jonathan Alder, OH, sr.), Macie Mintz (Akron Hoban, L, sr.).Division VI — Morgan Baumer (St. Henry, L, sr.), Brittyn Burns (Rockford Parkway, S, sr.), Ada Christman (Patrick Henry, MH, sr.), Ashtyn Eilerman (New Bremen, MH, so.), Paige Gamby (Defiance Tinora, OH, sr.), Mia Knapke (Coldwater, S, sr.), Brenna Leach (Shenandoah, OH, sr.), Mary Rindler (New Bremen, MH, sr.). Multiple-time All-Ohio4 — Kacie Evans (Wadsworth OH, D-I) 2015-182 — Lynn Wolcott (Highland OH, Class AA, D-III) 1989-902 — Marah Farage (Buckeye MH, D-II) 2008-092 — Ally Badowski (Brunswick OH, D-I) 2014-152 — Jodi Johnson (Wadsworth OH, D-I) 2014-152 — Kirsten Badowski (Brunswick OH, D-I) 2017-182 — Rachael Crucis (Brunswick L, D-I) 2017-182 — Alayna Tessena (Highland OH, D-I) 2021-222 — Lauren Decker (Wadsworth OH, D-II) 2024-252 — Rowan Kelly (Wadsworth S, D-II) 2024-25