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'A beautiful, extraordinary woman': Social media pays tribute to drowning victim Ally Sidloski, Strongsville native and Cincinnati student

The body of the 21-year-old was recovered on Sunday morning at East Fork Lake in Batavia Township.

CINCINNATI — Tributes have been pouring in for 21-year-old Ally Sidloski, the University of Cincinnati sophomore from Strongsville who died in a drowning incident on East Fork Lake over the weekend.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said Sidloski was last seen hanging onto the swim platform of a boat before disappearing into the water, according to WLWT in Cincinnati. She had not been wearing a life jacket.

Her body was pulled out of the water around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. 

Sidloski, a Strongsville High School alumna, was a soccer player on the University of Cincinnati's women's team.

"Not only have we felt the darkness of tragedy but the Light of Love, Empathy & Compassion. I'm moved by the Grace & Strength of the Sidloski Family & the Resiliency of our @GoBEARCATS Family. Ally Sid was a beautiful extraordinary woman, the emotions of so many proved that today," University of Cincinnati soccer coach Neil Stafford wrote on Twitter.

Ally was a four-year player on the Strongsville High School soccer team and a three-time All-Greater Cleveland Conference Selection. She was the third member of her immediate family to play soccer at the collegiate level.

Sidloski was a standout in the classroom at UC, being named a TopCat scholar in multiple semesters for achieving a 4.0 GPA.  

This tribute came in for Ally on Instagram from longtime friend Shanna Rolewski.

"My best friend. I’ll never be able to find the words to describe what you mean to me and everyone you’ve encountered in your 21 years. To know you was to love you. The privilege of life with you by my side is the biggest blessing I’ve ever known and I am eternally grateful for the friendship of a lifetime. You are a full embodiment of everything I strive to be and I can only hope to make you proud every day going forward. I know that each passing day brings me one day closer to seeing you again; you’re free Allyson. My hero and my angel evermore."

UC teammate Annie Metzger added this tribute in an Instagram post.

"My sweetest friend - of all the days i got to spend with you on this earth, this was by far my favorite. i’m going to miss your contagious joy, unending laughter, and beautiful smile. i’m going to miss your perseverance, resiliency, and hard work. you empowered every single person you came across and you lit up every room you walked into. i’m thankful for the countless memories we got to make together but even more thankful that i’ll get to see you again one day smiling with Jesus. love you Ally Sid❤️ #weplayfor3"

Fellow UC teammate Vanessa DiNardo added the following: 

"i am not sure how to even type this right now. i never ever would have imagine by best friend, sister, soulmate, partner in crime, sidekick, roommate and teammate would leave me this early in life. allyson you were truly one of a kind and have been a blessing in my life. you also have impacted more ppl than you ever would know. i will never be able to wrap my head around this and wonder why you left us so soon. it can’t be real and never will feel real. you will be truly truly missed. i wish i could have seen you and hugged you one last time and tell you how much you meant to me. you are the most beautiful angel and I’m so happy that i have you looking over me for the rest of my life. i will continue to work hard and make you proud. you were my biggest cheerleader over the years. i love you more than you know Allyson. i can’t wait for the day to finally see you again and the duo is back together forever. 🤍🙏🏻 #WePlayFor3"

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