(2) Olmsted Falls vs. (10) Westlake
What: Division I, Parma Heights District semifinal
When: Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.
Where: Valley Forge High School, 9999 Independence Blvd.
Records: Olmsted Falls 22-1, Westlake 17-5
Olmsted Falls’ path: Defeated North Olmsted 3-0
Westlake’s path: Defeated North Royalton 3-1
On deck: Winner advances to the district final to play the winner of (7) Wooster and (8) Highland on Oct. 27.
Outlook: Olmsted Falls looks to be favorite in the district to make it to regionals. The Bulldogs have been the smaller team in almost every match, but have become the No. 5 ranked team in Division I in the OHSVCA poll. Bulldogs setter Kylee Urban looks to make a run at a first-team All-Ohioan selection with 6.3 kills per set and 4.8 assists per set, an accomplishment a handful of players have accomplished in the country. They are a tough serving team that knows how to get teams out of system, and their serve receiving gets themselves into system. Westlake started its season strong but struggled in the second half of its schedule against Division I competition and Bay to drop out of the title race in the Great Lakes Conference West Division. The Demons have the height advantage with middle hitter Anika Norris (4.1 kills per set). Outside hitter Olivia Morgordy can play in the front and the back row with libero Alyssa Carman and Jenna Hyland. After leaving the Southwestern Conference in 2020, Westlake has revisited old rivalries in the postseason. The Demons fell to SWC champs Amherst in the 2021 district final and will meet another SWC champion on Oct. 25.
Perez’s pick: Olmsted Falls
