Senior hitter Molly Wendel highlighted a big hitting night for the Redskins, with six kills in the second set. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
St. Henry fulfilled the expectations of its coach for at least a night, overwhelming Cincinnati Christian in straight sets in the regional semi-finals Wednesday at Northmont High School.
Clayton, OH – On more than one occasion throughout the 2025 season St. Henry volleyball coach Tricia Rosenbeck has put it on the line by saying: “This team is good enough to win it all.”
Wednesday night, against Fairfield Cincinnati Christian, the Redskins fulfilled Rosenbeck’s statement in straight sets in the Division VI regional semi-final round, blowing past the Cougars 25-9, 25-12, and 25-11.
The Mr. Shoppe proudly sponsors the best in area high school sports on Press Pros Magazine.com.
There may have been matches when Rosenbeck’s team has played better this year, but never with so much on the line. One could say…their timing was impeccable.
Serving was crisp and accurate.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA and Ohio State sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
Passing was predictable and in system.
Obvious energy on defense.
But above everything else…the Redskins simply pounded the Cougars (14-12) into submission with the force of their hitting – accurate, powerful, and shared. Everybody had a piece of the action.
“Going in we had watched film on them and we knew they were an aggressive serving team,” Rosenbeck said of their scouting of Cincinnati Christian. “We knew we had to win first contact, control our serve, and getting them out of system. And I thought we did that tonight. We controlled the match from there.”
From the outset. St. Henry served first and scored the first seven points on their way to a 14-1 run in set one. Cincinnati Christian looked nervous, played stiffly, and were helpless against St. Henry’s own aggressive serve. Almost before you could organize your popcorn, soft drink and find your seat the set was over and St. Henry had one in the bank…25-9.
Everything clicked for St. Henry…senior Olivia Gast displays a little ‘first contact’ efficiency.
Cincinnati Christian played better in the second set, and played early to a 3-3 tie. But first contact, as Rosenbeck loves to talk about, was St. Henry’s advantage throughout the night, and from the early 3-3 point of the second set the Redskins’ Molly Wendel became featured in that familiar system of pass and hit…pass and hit. Wendel scored six kills in the second set and once again St. Henry blew through to a 25-12 win, scoring 12 of the set’s final 15 points.
“First contact is about getting an opponent out of system, or rhythm,” said Rosenbeck. “If we get get a good serve and they can’t hit the ball at us, or vice versa, then we get a free ball and we’re going to be hitting at them.”
Your local Kaup Pharmacy proudly supports amateur sports coverage on Press Pros Magazine.com.
Exactly, and Molly Wendel, Karlee Baumer, Mylee Kramer, and Karlee Buschur simply set up shop, taking turns to hit one searing shot after another into Cincinnati Christian’s grouped-up defense that left the perimeter of the court wide open. St. Henry’s hitting was accurate enough to take advantage, and that was the difference in the match. They simply hit shots where there was no one to hit it back…perhaps their most efficient match under pressure in the entire season.
Molly Wendel shows some court coverage on defense during the Redskins’s regional semi-final win over Cincinnati Christian.
There was never a question of comeback in the third set, as St. Henry again blew out to a commanding lead, spraying shots on offense and frustrating Cincinnati Christian when they did get some shot attempts with a hustling defense. In less than an hour in actual playing time, St Henry wrapped up the match with a 25-11 win in the final set.
As impressive as their play, the personality of St. Henry was more impressive because they displayed no tension or nervousness in an all-or-go-home environment. Not since 2011 have the Redskins won a state title in volleyball, after winning seven of them in a 26-year period from 1985 through 2011. No one is hungrier than Rosenbeck to redeem some bridesmaid frustration. Since taking over the program in 2016, she has lost in the state semi-finals and finished state runner-up in 2021.
“When we manage our game, and first contact, and we’re all running and our hitters are all available, we’re pretty hard to stop,” said Rosenbeck Wednesday, whose roster shows a good mix of youthful athleticism and veteran presence.
Westrich Furniture proudly sponsors the MAC on Press Pros Magazine.com.
“Addy Homan has been playing really well for us,” she added, showing some love for sophomore setter Addy Homan. “She’s been spreading the ball around, getting everyone involved, and she does a ton for us. Sometimes she doesn’t get recognized as much as she should. And she can give you some offense…she gets some touches up there in the front row.”
Sophomore setter, Addy Homan: “She does a lot for us without getting a lot of recognition.” – Tricia Rosenbeck
But the one most conspicuous in the front row Wednesday was Wendel, who had the touch and just kept getting her opportunities…and again, she couldn’t have picked a better time.
“Molly is one of those rare athletes that can do it all,” said Rosenbeck. “She’s playing six rotations for the first time this year and she’s been unbelievable for us, all the way around…serving, swinging, and playing defense. She had a heckuva’ night.”
It sets them up for the opportunity they’ve worked for since August. One more win in Saturday’s regional final and the Redskins return to next week’s state finals at the Nutter Center. But to get there they have to win once more, and win against a familiar opponent. In Wednesday’s second regional semi-final Fort Recovery knocked out a stubborn Arcanum team, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, and 26-24. As cliche’ as it may sound, Rosenbeck’s and St. Henry’s destiny is in their hands.
“We know their tendencies,” she added. “But the main thing is for us to play cleanly on our side. If we play our game – serve well, pass well, and play in system – I think we can play with anyone in the state.”
There. She said it again. But one game away from proving it under the brightest lights – redemption after the close calls and the near misses – suddenly it doesn’t sound so cliche’. Yes, destiny is in their hands.
And they really do look that good!
They’ll get a look at a familiar opponent in the regional final…St. Henry will meet Fort Recovery, who bested Arcanum in Wednesday’s second semi-final.
Technical Roofing proudly sponsors the Midwest Athletic Conference on Press Pros Magazine.com.