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Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools

Better Today Than Yesterday, Better Tomorrow Than Today

November 5, 2026

Volleyball Team Answers Call in Regional Semifinal Victory

a group of volleyball players in black jerseys with yellow numbers pose for a photo

The Bellbrook volleyball team took the court on a mission Wednesday night.

Avenge a loss that left a bad taste in their mouths a few weeks ago.

“We had a job to do,” Bellbrook coach Amanda Von Handorf said. “After that loss (to Ross at home on Oct. 8), the message was: ‘that wasn’t us.’ Going into last night, the message was: ‘You earned this. You deserve to be here and go and take it back.’”

And they made a statement in doing so, as Bellbrook swept league-rival Ross, 25-13, 25-16, 25-15 in a Division III Region 10 semifinal at Lakota East High School. The Bellbrook win handed Ross only its third loss of the season – two to the Golden Eagles.

And they did it with defense. A volleyball player reaches up to hit the ball during an indoor match.

Bellbrook (24-2) swarmed the net all night, denying Ross (23-3) the opportunity to get going offensively.

“Our blocking was phenomenal,” Von Handorf said. “We talked about getting touches to slow the ball down and we put a lot of work into that.”

Addie Salem led the way with four solo blocks; Caroline Meyer and Macy Miller each had three.

 

And then there was the defense behind the net, led by Katie Hunt’s 11 digs. Luci Mescher and Roselyn Watercutter each had eight digs and Libby Bunsold had seven.

The offense also did its job and Kenley Von Handorf recorded 22 kills, and Meyer and Salem each had eight. Hunt led the way with 35 assists and Mescher had four aces.

The straight-set win doesn’t give the Golden Eagles time to rest. It gives them their biggest test of the season: No. 1 state-ranked McNicholas (23-3), a straight-set win over Cincinnati Hill Christian Academy. CHCA is the only other team to defeat Bellbrook this season.

“It’s a big job ahead,” the coach said. “They have eight or nine seniors so they are a close group.”

A close group with an impressive history that led them to the Division IV state title last year.

“We have to play as well as we did last night,” Von Handorf said. “We have to leave it all on the floor and go out and play fearless. Good teams are led by good coaches, great teams are led by great players and we have a lot of great players who lead this team.”

The game tips at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lakota East.

Four female volleyball players in black uniforms celebrate a victory on the court.