The Calvert Senecas enter the 2025 volleyball season with unfinished business. A year removed from finishing as the Division VII state runner-up, the Senecas return nearly their entire roster and open the year ranked No. 1 in the state. For head coach Lori Rombach and her veteran group, the goal is clear: get back to the Nutter Center and this time bring home the championship.
Calvert has been here before. The program knows what it takes to win, having captured state titles in 2018 and 2020. Last year’s run ended with a loss to Fort Loramie in the state final, but that experience has only fueled a senior-led roster determined to finish the job.
The early results back up the hype. Over the weekend, Calvert opened its season at the Coldwater Cavalier Spikeoff, a tournament loaded with talent from across Ohio. The Senecas looked the part of a top-ranked team, rolling through the field and defeating New Knoxville in straight sets in the championship. It was a statement win to start the season and a reminder to the rest of Division VII that Calvert isn’t easing into 2025—they’re ready to dominate from day one.
Much of that confidence comes from the leadership of seniors Emily Miller, Claire Schoenberger, and Scarlett Faber. Each played a critical role in last year’s postseason run and now steps into an even bigger spotlight as captains of a team with state championship expectations. With their experience, composure, and all-around ability, the Senecas have one of the most battle-tested cores in the state.
For Rombach, the challenge will be keeping her team sharp through the grind of the regular season. As the No. 1-ranked squad, every opponent will treat Calvert as a measuring stick game. That pressure will test the Senecas’ consistency, but it’s also the kind of adversity they’ll need to embrace if they want to take the final step in November.
We caught up with head coach Lori Rombach to talk about what this year’s returning group brings to the court, how they’ve handled the pressure of being ranked No. 1, and what it will take to turn last year’s heartbreak into this year’s triumph.
The Senecas’ strength lies in their senior leaders. Emily Miller, Claire Schoenberger, and Scarlett Faber have been through the battles, and they know the weight of expectations. Each brings a different personality and skillset to the floor, but together they set the tone for Calvert’s pursuit of a championship. Connor Roush had a chance to sit down with the three of them recently, here's what they had to say about the upcoming season:
The standard at Calvert has always been high. This year, with talent, experience, and motivation all aligned, the Senecas know exactly what they’re chasing. The question isn’t whether they can contend—it’s whether anyone in Division VII can stop them.
