SHELBY — Only one school among Division IV’s state volleyball Final Four is without a state ranking attached to its name.
That same program is one of two semifinalists without a first-team All-Ohioan on its roster — although Shelby does have a second-team All-Ohioan in junior Madison Henkel.
So, how have the Whippets pieced together their most historic volleyball season in more than three decades? The answer involves several things, but strong team chemistry plays a large role.
The Whippets’ ability to place multiple contributors on the court is something Shelby coach Katelyn Olewiler said separates her team from the competition.
“The sum of our whole is greater than the sum of our parts,” she said during a media press conference Monday at Shelby High School.
“I think a lot of those teams we face it’s the opposite scenario … We have strong individuals but we’re even stronger as a whole.”
Olewiler ‘not surprised’ Shelby has made its way to state
Senior libero Kendra Walp experienced two moments this season which convinced her the Whippets could make a run for a state title.
The first came when Shelby defeated Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference foe Highland during its second regular-season meeting with the Scots. Highland earned a 2-0 advantage — but the Whippets rallied to win the next three sets and force a tie atop the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.
Walp said she had the same feeling when her team defeated another talented MOAC opponent in Marion Pleasant earlier this season.
“We just all came together and we figured out then that if we keep playing like that we have a strong chance to go really far,” the senior said.
The Whippets set their sights on short-term goals to begin the season, beginning with a league title. Olewiler said Shelby’s goals have naturally progressed from there — checking off district and regional titles.
“With how determined this team is, I’m not surprised that we’re here at this point (state semifinal match),” she said.
READ MORE ABOUT SHELBY’S TOURNAMENT JOURNEY
Whippets have developed close relationships
Shelby finds its peak performance when it balances competitiveness and having fun.
“That is definitely when we play our best volleyball,” Olewiler said.
Cheers and creative celebrations — of which Shelby has no shortage — are also an important ingredient in the team’s success.
Sophomore defensive specialist Shelby Vaughn said fans attending Thursday’s match can expect to see new material.
“We just like to make it fun on the bench so the people on the court have fun, too,” Vaughn said. “We like to keep the energy up.”
Walp explained Shelby’s bench celebrations as a perfect example of the team’s togetherness.
“We spend so many days together even outside of practice,” she said. “We love spending time with each other.”
The road ahead
The Whippets will face No. 4 Marlington at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the second of two Division IV state semifinal matches at Vandalia Butler High School — just outside of Dayton.
Marlington defeated Parma Heights Holy Name 3-1 on Nov. 2 to return to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.
Should Shelby make it to Saturday’s Division IV state final match, it would face the winner of No. 7 Vincent Warren and No. 3 Cincinnati Roger Bacon at 1 p.m. inside the Nutter Center at Wright State University.
Regional tournament highlights
Volleyball state tournament
DIVISION I
No. 4 Cleveland St. Joseph Academy vs. Delaware Olentangy Berlin, Friday, 5 p.m. at Clayton Northmont High School
No. 1 Cincinnati Seton vs. Pickerington North, Friday, 5 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
Championship Match: Saturday, 3 p.m. at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION II
No. 3 Avon vs. No. 1 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, Thursday, 6 p.m., at Kettering Fairmont High School
No. 2 Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy vs. No. 4 Wadsworth, Thursday, 8 p.m., at Kettering Fairmont High School
Championship Match: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION III
No. 2 Gates Mills Gilmour Academy vs. No. 10 Toledo St. Ursula Academy, Thursday, 5 p.m., at Clayton Northmont High School
No. 3 Cincinnati Ursuline Academy vs. No. 4 Columbus Bishop Watterson, Thursday, 7 p.m., at Clayton Northmont High School
Championship Match: Friday, 3 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION IV
No. 7 Vincent Warren vs. No. 3 Cincinnati Roger Bacon, Thursday, 5:30 p.m., at Vandalia Butler High School
Shelby vs. No. 4 Alliance Marlington, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at Vandalia Butler High School
Championship Match: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION V
Middletown Bishop Fenwick vs. No. 7 Ottawa-Glandorf, Thursday, 4 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
No. 1 Mentor Lake Catholic vs. No. 5 Frankfort Adena, Thursday, 6 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
Championship Match: Friday, 1 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION VI
No. 10 Independence vs. No. 1 Coldwater, Friday, 5 p.m., at Vandalia Butler High School
Marion Pleasant vs. No. 5 Defiance Tinora, Friday, 7:30 p.m., at Vandalia Butler High School
Championship Match: Saturday, 5 p.m., at Wright State University, Nutter Center
DIVISION VII
No. 2 Tiffin Calvert vs. Norwalk St. Paul, Thursday, noon, Wright State University, Nutter Center
No. 1 Fort Loramie vs. Strasburg-Franklin, Thursday, 2 p.m., Wright State University, Nutter Center
Championship Match: Friday, 11 a.m., Wright State University, Nutter Center