Dover senior-led volleyball team eyes deep postseason run after dominant regular season

For Beth Mathews, tournament time is always going to be special. It is for everybody, really, but for the veteran volleyball coach, whose teams have made three state final fours during her tenure, late-October presents a payoff.

For Mathews, and for her deep and talented senior class, that’s certainly the case this year. Heading into the week with a 21-2 overall record, an Ohio Cardinal Conference championship in their first year in the league, and a No. 9 ranking in the Division III state coaches poll, the Tornadoes are looking to join the best of the best in the Nutter Center in Dayton in a couple weeks.

“It’s tough to get there and it’s overwhelming to a degree when you are there,” Mathews said. “When you set foot in the Nutter Center, that’s a huge arena, something you never play in. It’s a challenge to get there and once you get there everybody’s good. Really, once you get to the Sweet 16, you’re playing lots of good kids. One of our last years we were in the regionals, we lost to Marengo Highland. One of their players is playing professional volleyball now. There’s just studs everywhere.”

Including in Dover, which has been dominant all season. Of the Tornadoes’ 21 match victories, 16 were in straight sets. They dropped just nine sets overall. 

The Tornadoes headed into the week having played 70 sets through 23 matches. They had seven seniors appear in at least 60 of those. 

Caroline Hanner is their top attacker, topping 300 kills on the season. She also leads the team with a .942 serve percentage. Her 162 digs are third-best on the team. 

Chera Schmidt tops the squad with 272 digs and 310 service receptions. Hailey Kuecher has 170 kills and leads the team with 47 blocks.

Quincey Werntz runs the offense. The setter has 701 assists, compared to just nine errors on the season. She is second on the team with 29 blocks and 167 digs. 

Jenna Molk has 27 blocks on the year, third-most on the team. Kelsey Kazelman leads the team with 53 aces. 

“It’s been really special,” Mathews said. “From the time they started playing they were just a fun group. When they were little, they were a hoot to coach, when they were in elementary school. As they got older some of the players chose not to continue but these seven have really stuck through it.”

Mathews has gotten contributions from her younger players, too, notably juniors Alli Hupp, who matched Kuecher’s 170 kills, and Meghan Ravine, a libero and defensive specialist who plays key points on the back end.

“It’s great for them to be a part of what’s going on,” Mathews said. “We dress a lot of sophomores also. Our No. 2s are getting a ton of experience every day.”

Dover, top-seeded in the East Division II Sectional, was set to play Tuesday at home against No. 2 Tri-Valley. The winner will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Zanesville in the East/South District final against either Miami Trace or Sheridan, seeded first and sixth, respectively, in the South Sectional. 

This Dover group is looking to make its mark and potentially join Mathews 1996, 1997 and 2013 squads as those who have reached the state tournament. The current seniors were in second grade the last time it happened.

“Tournaments just bring a whole new element to everything you do,” Mathews said. “Everything is on the line every step of the way. These seven have played together since elementary school. They’ve had goals together. They’re really dialed in to be successful.

“Watching them grow, especially this year, their maturity and just their joy for each other, it’s special to watch. They play for each other. They’re excited for each other.”