By Tom Groeschen
Enquirer staff writer

Roger Bacon will be the best girls' volleyball team in Ohio this season and is ranked No. 10 nationally, according to PrepVolleyball.com.

The Division II Spartans rank ahead of all the Division I powers - including 2003 state champion St. Ursula, according to PrepVolleyball.com national analyst John Tawa.

"Everyone agrees that Roger Bacon is the team to beat in Ohio, regardless of class," Tawa said.

St. Ursula, which finished No. 1 in last year's PrepVolleyball.com ratings, is rated No. 33 after losing national Player of the Year Bryn Kehoe, who is playing at Stanford.

Roger Bacon coach Caryl Schawe, entering her 25th season, owns a Division II state title (2001) and three state runner-up trophies. Her 2003 team reached the regional final, and every player returns.

"There's not a weakness on the floor for us," Schawe said. "These seniors were freshmen when we won the state, and they've seen what it takes to win."

The Spartans' rotation includes setter Katie Veatch, defensive specialist Lauren Sheppard, outside hitters Jessica Hoeh, Alyssa Carlotta and Jamie Frey, and middle hitters Heather Hausfeld and Lauren Newton.

In Division I, St. Ursula's returnees include Maggie Schmelzle, Stephanie Wessels, Mackenzie Angner and Michelle Kenning, all strong frontline players.

"I know we're ranked below some teams, but congratulations to Roger Bacon on being No. 10 in the country," St. Ursula coach Julie Perry said. "We're just going to reload and give it our all."