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DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates the hard work and dedication found throughout Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Boys Volleyball. In a relatively short period of time, GMC volleyball has emerged as a force across Greater Cincinnati. At the conclusion of each regular season, the conference head coaches gather to reflect on the league schedule just completed and select the player(s) and coach(es) who best exemplify the highest qualities of GMC volleyball. This recognition process culminates in honoring the league’s “Player of the Year” and “Coach of the Year.”

This season, the boys volleyball head coaches selected Lakota East junior Austin Dreher as the Greater Miami Conference “Player of the Year.” Dreher led the league in kills by a wide margin, finishing with an impressive 287. This brings his two-year varsity career total to a remarkable 396 kills — with his senior campaign still ahead of him.

Throughout his sophomore and junior seasons, Dreher has been a key contributor every step of the way, appearing in 132 total games. During his two-year varsity tenure, the Lakota East Thunderhawks have not lost a single GMC match, compiling a perfect 16–0 conference record with him on the court. Austin Dreher's leadership and "court presence" certainly make the Thunderhawk volleyball future bright.

Austin Dreher - Lakota East  GMC Boys Volleyball Player of the Year"

(Photo compliments of East Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

Greater Miami Conference head coaches appreciate the extra efforts and dedication of Mason Head Coach Jordan Drake. She guided her Mason Comets to a convincing 7–1 league season, finishing second only to league champion Lakota East. Playing a very challenging schedule, the Comets closed the regular season with an impressive 18–4 overall record. There is no question that under Coach Drake’s leadership and commitment, Mason will continue to make progress and remain a strong and influential presence within the GMC. In recognition of that undeniable progress, the conference head coaches selected Jordan Drake to represent them as the GMC "Coach of the Year".

Jordan Drake - Mason  GMC Boys Volleyball Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

DICK’S Sporting Goods appreciates the achievements found across the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) from fall through spring. In this instance, DSG “tips its corporate hat” to the sport of girls lacrosse. Competing in an extremely competitive GMC and Greater Cincinnati lacrosse environment, Abbey Upton has emerged as a top-flight defender against all challengers.

A four-year starter and three-time All-GMC performer, Upton has earned the recognition and respect of opposing conference head coaches, who have selected the Lakota East senior as the 2026 GMC Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year. This past season, she finished second in the conference in saves (166) and first in interceptions (7). Her four-year career totals are simply staggering: 71 games played, 594 saves, and 22 interceptions...numbers that have definitely set the bar high.

Abbey Upton - Lakota East  Girls Lacrosse "Player of the Year"

(Photo compliments of East Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

The Greater Miami Conference (GMC) girls lacrosse coaches are truly dedicated to growing and developing the sport across the league. When “Coach of the Year” accolades are awarded, they often reflect a wide range of achievements and values. The GMC is home to several outstanding lacrosse programs that consistently perform at a high level, yet the conference also includes programs working just as hard to build a strong foundation despite having limited history or resources.

As the GMC coaches gather to select their “Coach of the Year” honorees, it is clear that they recognize and appreciate both sides of this achievement equation — excellence at the top and the tireless commitment required to grow the sport from its earliest stages. The Greater Miami Conference head coaches have chosen to honor Michaela Connolly (Sycamore), Jock Roeder (Lakota East) and Rachel Winkler (Oak Hills) as GMC "Coaches of the Year".

Michaela Connolly - Sycamore  GMC "Coach of the Year"  2026

(Photo compliments of Sycamore Athletic Department - Coach Connolly on left)

Jock Roeder - Lakota East  GMC "Coach of the Year"  2026

(Photo compliments of East Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

Rachel Winkler - Oak Hills  GMC "Coach of the Year"  2026

(Photo compliments of Oak Hills Athletic Department)

In undefeated fashion, the Sycamore Aviators continued their Greater Miami Conference (GMC) domination by capturing a seventh consecutive league title. Since the inaugural season of girls lacrosse in 2019, the Aviators have claimed every conference championship with the exception of one tie in 2021. In the seven-year history of GMC Girls Lacrosse, Sycamore has finished undefeated in conference play six times. Without question, the Aviators remain one of Cincinnati’s premier programs year in and year out.

Sycamore Aviators   2026 Greater Miami Conference Champions

(Photo compliments of the Sycamore Athletic Department)

DICK’S Sporting Goods proudly honors the achievements of the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Boys Lacrosse programs. At the conclusion of each season, the conference head coaches gather to select the “best of the best,” reflecting on the full conference schedule and evaluating success from many different perspectives.

With the league showcasing numerous outstanding players, determining the “Player of the Year” is always a challenging task. For the 2026 GMC Boys Lacrosse season, Mason’s Jacob Lupinski earned the accolade as the conference’s top all-around performer. On the coaches’ side of the field, undefeated GMC champion Head Coach Jeff Bumiller of Mason and GMC runner-up Head Coach DJ Dunn of Oak Hills shared the honor as Co-Coaches of the Year.

Jacob Lupinski, a senior, finished fourth in the GMC in goals scored with 37 and followed that by placing third in assists. A four-year varsity player, he appeared in 66 contests during his career, totaling 96 goals and 79 assists. A force on the field for the Mason Comets, his leadership will be greatly missed.

Jacob Lupinski - Mason Comets  "Player of the Year"

(Photo courtsey of Mason Sports information Director, Dan Hilen)

Mason’s Head Coach, Jeff Bumiller, brought home yet another Greater Miami Conference title—this time in undefeated fashion with a 10–0 record. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the Mason Comets have either won outright or tied for the league lacrosse championship. Coach Bumiller has been recognized over time for his program-building efforts, as evidenced by the four occasions on which he has been selected as the conference’s “Coach of the Year.” 

Mason Head Coach Jeff Bumiller - Boys Lacrosse "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

The Oak Hills Highlanders Head Boys Lacrosse Coach, DJ Dunn, has worked diligently to develop his program into a true contender. This season’s play was a genuine “success story” for the Highlanders. With a second-place 7–3 Greater Miami Conference record, Oak Hills—under Coach Dunn’s leadership—has made a serious move into lacrosse relevancy. Their three league losses came against Mason by scores of 11–4 and 13–6, and against Lakota West by a tally of 10–5. There is no question the Highlander program has made tremendous strides. In recognition of this progress, the Greater Miami Conference head coaches selected DJ Dunn as a “Co-Coach of the Year.”

Oak Hills Head Coach DJ Dunn - Boys Lacrosse "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of the Oak Hills Athletic Department)

DICK'S Sporting Goods honors the efforts found within Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Boys Volleyball this spring. In a sport that is growing by leaps and bounds the GMC has established itself as a quality league amongst Greater Cincinnati's elite programs. The hard work, determination of the players and coaches have paid off in an elevation of skill levels and expectations in conference as well as non-conference competion. It is in this setting, at the conclusion of the regular season, that the league head coaches gathered to recognize the accomplishments of their own.

Each year, the conference head coaches are faced with an unenviable task of selecting the very "best player" in the league. This season, the GMC head coaches selected Lakota East junior Austin Dreher as the conference "Player of the Year". This two-year starter led the league in kills with 287, making his career total 396 with another stellar year yet to come. In his two-year varsity career Austin Dreher has already appeared in 132 games.