The NDCL Girls Varsity Volleyball program officially announces the 2025 regular season schedule that features 19 matches and one tournament. The Lions host Avon Lake in their season and home opener in McGarry Gymnasium on Saturday, August 16th at 12:00 PM.
The Varsity Lions are under the direction of Tom Ray as he begins his 18th season as head coach. Ray has led the Lions to 17 straight district championships, eight district titles, four regional titles, and three state championships since taking over as head coach in 2007.
Last season, the Varsity Lions finished with a 16-7 regular season record and 10-2 in North Coast Conference play. The team executed eight 3-0 shutout wins in 2024, defeated defending state champion Lake Catholic 3-2 on the road, and topped both Kenston and CVCA in the district and regional tournaments. NDCL Volleyball won their sixth straight district title in 2024 and advanced to the regional championship game for the second consecutive season, finishing as the runners-up to Toledo St. Ursula Academy.
NDCL Varsity Volleyball returns three of their four all-conference honorees to the court this season in seniors Grace Daniels (setter), Abby Tolin (defensive specialist), and sophomore Frankie Brkic (outside hitter). Daniels, the three-year starter at setter for the Lions, earned first team in 2024 and led the team in assists (345), assists per set (5.3), and aces (31). Brkic earned a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman and was awarded first team all-conference for her successful, immediate impact on the team. She finished the season with a team-high 189 kills and 3.1 kills per set. Tolin will serve as the Lions' leader in the back row once again this season. She paced the Lions on defense with 375 digs and 20.8 digs per match last season.
The Lions begin their highly anticipated conference schedule on August 26th at Beaumont School. The team will battle the reigning conference champion and rival Lake Catholic on September 11th at NDCL and October 9th at Lake Catholic. Varsity Volleyball's regular season schedule also includes non-conference matchups with some of the area's top teams in Mentor, Magnificat, and Kenston. The Lions will also compete in the Massillon Jackson Tournament at Jackson High School for the third straight season on Saturday, September 20th.
With experience both on the court and within the coaching staff mixed with a standard for excellence, NDCL Varsity Volleyball eyes yet another successful season.
Click HERE to view the full 2025 season schedule.
Go Lions!
