The Loveland Tigers, led by sophomore McWaters, are gearing up for the OHSAA postseason. Their recent performances have positioned them as strong contenders.
Key points
Loveland Tigers are preparing for the OHSAA postseason
Sophomore McWaters is a key player for the team
Recent performances have positioned them as contenders
Postseason tournaments are organized by OHSAA
Mentioned in this story
McWaters
Loveland TigersOHSAA postseason
Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.
Knox Mills of Hamilton shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week, Jan. 23, 2026.
The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Feb. 13, 2026.
The Norwood boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Dec. 26, 2025.
Maddie Turner of Norwood shared the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for Jan. 9, 2026.
Q&A
Who is McWaters and what role does he play for the Loveland Tigers?
McWaters is a sophomore player for the Loveland Tigers, contributing significantly to the team's success as they approach the OHSAA postseason.
What is the OHSAA postseason and when does it take place?
The OHSAA postseason is a series of tournaments organized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, typically occurring in the spring for various sports.
How have the Loveland Tigers performed leading up to the postseason?
The Loveland Tigers have shown strong performances in their recent games, establishing themselves as serious contenders for the postseason.
What are the expectations for the Loveland Tigers in the upcoming postseason?
Expectations are high for the Loveland Tigers as they aim to leverage their recent successes and strong team dynamics in the OHSAA postseason.
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The Norwood boys wrestling team shared the certificate the boys won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine winter team of the week for Jan. 9, 2026. With them, at left, is Maddie Turner, who won the girls wrestler of the week the same week.
Grayson Ozias of Ross shares the certificate she earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine swimmer/diver of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Kian Bronner of Loveland shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Logan Cole of Felicity-Franklin shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school boys basketball player of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Bryton Vaughn of Talawanda shares the certificate he won as the Feb. 6 Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys bowler of the week.
Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
Hannah Weigle of Little Miami shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.
Colton Dickerson of Springboro shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Dec. 19.
The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.
Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.
Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.
Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.
Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.
Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.
Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.
Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.
Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.
Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.
Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.
Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.
Emily Steinke of Lakota East shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer Spirit Award individual winner for the week of Sept. 12, 2025.
The South Dearborn High School cheerleaders share the certificate they won as The Enquirer Spirit Award team winner for Sept. 19.
Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Mia Young of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine tennis player of the week for Sept. 19.
Elena Kelley of Seton shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer of the week for Sept. 19.
Makenna Martin of Fairfield shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer's Spirit Award winner for Sept. 26, 2025.
Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.
The Newport Central Catholic cheerleaders won the Cincinnati Enquirer Spirit Award for Aug. 29, 2025.
Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.
Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.
Easton Ballinger of Eastwood shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine wrestler of the week for March 6, 2026.
Knox Mills of Hamilton shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week, Jan. 23, 2026.
The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Feb. 13, 2026.
The Norwood boys basketball team shared the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Dec. 26, 2025.
The Norwood boys wrestling team shared the certificate the boys won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine winter team of the week for Jan. 9, 2026. With them, at left, is Maddie Turner, who won the girls wrestler of the week the same week.
Grayson Ozias of Ross shares the certificate she earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine swimmer/diver of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Kian Bronner of Loveland shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Logan Cole of Felicity-Franklin shares the certificate he earned by winning The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school boys basketball player of the week for Feb. 6, 2026
Stacia Simmons of Clark Montessori shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
The Clark Montessori girls basketball team share the certificate they won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball team of the week for Jan. 23, 2026.
The Blanchester bowling team, with coach Paul Jackson in the middle, shares the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys winter team of the week for Dec. 12, 2025. The team is, from left, Brian White, Samuel Woolridge, Caleb Mobley, coach Paul Jackson, Elijah McVey, Lucas Cirivello and Randy Eckman.
Randy Eckman of Blanchester, with his coach Paul Jackson, shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school bowler of the week for Dec. 12, 2025.
Beechwood's Dylan Topmiller, joined by his coach Ross Hart, shares the certificate he earned by being voted the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky basketball player of the week for Dec 26, 2025.
Tyler Owens of Goshen shares the certificate he won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine basketball player of the week for Dec. 19, 2025.
Alyssa Bechtol of Notre Dame Academy shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine bowler of the week for Nov. 21, 2025.
Ty Martin of Clinton-Massie shares the certificate he earned as The Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine's football player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
Kaylin Wegford of Dixie Heights shares the certificate she won as The Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Oct. 31, 2025.
From left, Moeller's Preston Wesley, Brock Grubert, and Hayden Sorg share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runners of the week for Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively.
Brooke Woosley of Oak Hills shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5.
Noah Fuller of Holy Cross shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross-country runner of the week for Oct. 10.
Sam VandeWater of Campbell County High School shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine boys cross-country runner of the week for Sept. 19.
Sophie Qiao of Indian Hill shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine small-school volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025. With her are varsity head coach Angel Miller-Ell and assistant coach Mike Barrie.
Sam Neuhaus of St. Henry District High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 26.
Colin Wooldridge of La Salle shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 26, 2025.
Joined by his teammates, Aengus Growcock of Middletown Madison shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Shepherd Dozier of Conner High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine football player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Alexis Kampsen of Conner shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 19, 2025.
Laura Raines of Kings shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Bacon Geer of Clermont Northeastern shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Ohio small-school football player of the week for Sept. 12, 2025.
Aaron Eckler of Ryle High School shares the certificate he won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Annie Zuerner of Calvary Christian girls soccer, shown with her teammates, shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the week for Aug. 29, 2025.
Victoria Sebald of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine volleyball of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Nina Tibbs of Villa Madonna shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine cross country runner of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
Preslee Walter of East Central shares the certificate she won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine soccer player of the week for Sept. 5, 2025.
John Meis and Rocco Fischer share the certificates they won as the Enquirer / Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine golfer (Sept. 5) and soccer player (Aug. 29) of the week, respectively.
In the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys volleyball postseason a year ago, the Loveland Tigers battled through a Region 8 bracket that was stacked on one side to avoid No. 1 McNicholas.
McWaters has over 260 kills this year with a regular-season game to go, leading the Tigers to a 19-2 mark, the ECC championship and the top seed in the regional tournament.
"I tell people it's a blessing to coach him," Loveland coach Brett VanCauwenbergh said. "It's really fun. I feel like there's some times where it feels like he's part of the coaching staff. Super high volleyball IQ on top of being a 6-foot-7 monster as a sophomore."
Somebody has to feed McWaters his attacks and the Tigers have a pair of setters who get it done. Seniors Andrew Dostal (who had 311 assists as a junior) and Miles Ewald both have around 300 assists each this year in Loveland's 6-2 rotation offense.
"It's fun to have two seniors both just running that job and making mature decisions," VanCauwenbergh said. "Andrew and Miles are both great players."
Gavin McWaters, shown making a kill in last year's DII regional championship against McNicholas, has over 260 kills so far in 2026.
Gavin McWaters, shown making a kill in last year's DII regional championship against McNicholas, has over 260 kills so far in 2026.
Junior Landon Balmos-Ruddock paces the team with 179 digs and senior James Dickman has over 100 kills.
The Tigers have dropped just two matches to Division I teams Elder and Lakota East. They have lost just eight sets, dropping one to McNicholas and one to Walnut Hills, with the sets in the losses. Of their 19 wins, the Tigers have swept 17 of those matches.
The Tigers begin the postseason May 12 against either Meadowdale or Trotwood-Madison and more than likely won't see a single-digit seed until their third postseason game in the regional semifinals. If the seeds stay true, McNicholas would be that opponent.
No matter who the Tigers see in their regional tournament games or even after, they'll be prepared to take every team's best just like they have all year.
"Anyone that can get to late enough in the season, they're going to be a good team," VanCauwenbergh said. "They're going to be a scrappy team. They're going to be a fighting team whether it's us getting to the regional semifinals, regional finals, state semifinals, it doesn't matter.
"Once you get past a certain point, there are going to be great teams, well-coached."
