Former North Union volleyball player Journey Blevins goes for a block in the top photo. Blevins, who plays collegiately at the University of Findlay, was recently named the freshman of the year in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. In the bottom photo, Jonathan Alder senior Lizzie Lombardi plays the ball off the net during a 2021 match. Lombardi has earned Central Buckeye Conference and Division II Central District accolades for the season. (Journal-Tribune photos)
Former North Union volleyball standout Journey Blevins had high goals for her first season on the collegiate level.
She had previously stated she hoped to earn freshman of the year honors in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Blevins originally thought she wouldn’t know whether she won until possibly next month.
The timeline for the honor went on a fast track.
Blevins recently learned she indeed earned the award for the 2021 season.
The former Lady Cat was recognized as the conference’s top frosh after leading the circuit with 4.69 kills per set.
Her kills per set is also the third-best in the nation.
Blevins tallied 398 kills during the season.
She finished second in the conference and sixth in the nation with five points per set.
Blevins is continuing the pace she set while playing volleyball on the high school level.
She was named first-team All-Ohio for Division III as a senior and was the Central District player of the year.
Blevins also earned first-team all-district honors twice and was voted the Central Buckeye Conference’s player of the year after two seasons.
Jonathan Alder High School senior Lizzie Lombardi has earned several awards for the 2021 prep campaign.
She earned first-team accolades in the Central District for Division II.
Lombardi was also the CBC’s player of the year and earned first-team honors.
Lombardi led the CBC in ace serves with 67 this past season.
She finished third in the CBC in kills with 268.
Lombardi tallied 389 assists on sets and 166 digs from a defensive standpoint.
Jonathan Alder finished the season with an overall record of 16-8.
The Lady Pioneers earned an 8-2 mark in the CBC’s Kenton Trail Division.
That was good for second place, behind London’s 9-1 record.