READING, Ohio — The state champion Mount Notre Dame volleyball team is ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps this week.
The Cougars defeated previous national No. 1-ranked Parma Padua Franciscan 14-25, 25-14, 25-12, 25-18 in the Division I state final at Vandalia Butler on Nov. 15.
MND coach Chris Lovett said he will remember a lot from this unique season for the Cougars (23-2), who were ranked No. 3 nationally entering the state final.
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Back in September, the Cougars had to endure a significant amount of adversity within a 24-hour period.
Mount Notre Dame senior Anna Currin's brother, former Moeller basketball standout Michael Currin, died in Dayton.
Lovett said another MND senior had a severe asthma attack in which she needed emergency services and spent a couple days at Children's Hospital.
"When the time came, volleyball was placed on the back burner and the team became a true family supporting one another through a truly devasting time," Lovett said Friday morning.
"The girls understood that there were more important things than volleyball and demonstrated that by showing up each day to remind us all that none of us were alone. It truly demonstrated the uniqueness that is MND volleyball and the volleyball community in Cincinnati and Ohio."
MND came together as one team determined to be successful on the court.
"The team chose the word 'persevere' as their theme heading into the state tournament, and I believe it is what makes this team so special," Lovett said.
"COVID-19 changed things from the very beginning and the girls had to make sacrifices to give them a chance at finishing the season and that wasn't guaranteed."
This past weekend was the 10th state volleyball title for MND (2020, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2006, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995).
The Girls Greater Catholic League has two other teams in the MaxPreps top 25 this week.
Ursuline (19-5) is ranked No. 8 nationally while Seton (19-2) is ranked No. 23.
Notre Dame Academy (26-3), which won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state title earlier this month, is ranked No. 17 nationally.
