NDA vs 9th Region

[dallaslaredo]

There are easily 3 teams that could upset NDA (Ryle, St. Henry, Cooper). All 3 teams have a lot of talent but haven't shown it all season.

 

What are the reasons they haven't shown it?

[NKYVB]

Ryle lost to NDA 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-12). With this being Ashley Bush's first game back, she was quite rusty against the pandas as most would anticipate. She had more attempts than anyone on the team but wasnt as efficient as she was pre-injury. This could easily be that she has sat out 12 weeks and may not be 100% physically back into the game. That being said, Ryle started off very strong against the pandas (Ashley's first couple swings being uncommon errors) and controlled the entire first set, managing to keep NDA out of system. This continued most of the way into the 2nd set up until the end where NDA pulled ahead for the 2-point set win. Ryle and NDA went back and forth the 3rd set until the pandas went on a huge run and inevitably winning the set. Set 4 was all pandas from the very beginning and Ryle serve receive/defense/hitting broke down completely leading to an easy NDA final set win. Yes, Ryle showed many weaknesses, but they also exposed some NDA weaknesses. No one can predict how Ryle will be come regional time, but I think this match did show us that Ryle can hang with NDA and could give them a run for their money.

 

 

Cooper is a team that has had a roller coaster of a season. Their record sits at 18-10 (obviously not that great), but all 1 of their losses have come from teams ranked Top-25 in the state per KVCA, 6 of them being top 10 teams (#3 NDA, #5 Henry Clay (twice), #7 Dunbar, #9 McCracken County, #10 St. Henry). The other losses come to Ravenwood (2013 Tennessee state runner-up), #17 Scott (5 sets), #25 NCC (5 sets) and Boone County (in-district rival). Cooper has suffered from countless injuries and illnesses that have plagued the team from the beginning of the season. When Cooper played at NDA, you could tell they were nervous. They had been on a slide, losing 5 of their last 7 matches. It's safe to say they weren't playing their best volleyball at the time. In set 1, that was very apparent. NDA came out serving very aggressively and Cooper serve receive was just non-existent. They were aced countless times and struggled to get a pass to the setter. When they did, their hitters were putting the ball down, but defense and serve receive just never clicked and thus, Cooper suffered a crushing defeat in set 1, 25-10. Set 2 was like night and day. Cooper came out on fire, never looking back. Serve receive continued to struggle some but overall, they were able to execute well enough to get the hitters good swings. Cooper pushed all the way to the end and almost let their lead slip, but managed to come away with the 26-24 set 2 win over the pandas. Set 3 was back and forth for the first part of the set until NDA went on several long service runs to crush the jags 25-10 in the 3rd and final set (note: match was best 2/3. Not sure why. Must have been chosen by the teams). Once again, NDA flaws showed a little bit against the jags. NDA offense is really only Hentz, Thelen, Salkowski. Shut one of them down and NDA will struggle. Shut one of the other two down and the pandas are weak.

 

 

St. Henry is a team I haven't fully figured out yet. Every time I have seen them play, it looks like a different team. They swept Cooper toward the beginning of the season, but have recently struggled. Don't count them out of the 9th though, because they hung with Ryle and Henry Clay, but got smacked by NDA. I'm not sure which St. Henry team will show up for regionals, but I know they have talent and if they show up to play, NDA could just get their money's worth.

 

 

I hope this was a good enough synopsis for you. I am in no way any expert on any team, but I have seen all of them play and I'm just calling what I see.

[frankdracman23]

It would be a great Regional tourney that any of 5 or 6 teams could win if ND was not in it. Play it 5 times and you could have 5 different winners. But with ND in it I don't think any of them are consistant enough to beat ND

[dallaslaredo]

Thats a very thorough in-depth synopsis, but it didn't answer the original question from what you posted - what's been holding these 3 teams back all season long from showing the talent they have?

[NKYVB]

Maybe the fact that they are emotional teenage girls and are unpredictable. I think injuries, illnesses have plagued them. I'm not saying they're going to beat NDA in regionals, but all 3 of these teams have talent and I'm sure they want to beat NDA more than anything. These teams have shown talent at certain points, but have failed to put it all together.

[Lawnboy13]

Thats a very thorough in-depth synopsis, but it didn't answer the original question from what you posted - what's been holding these 3 teams back all season long from showing the talent they have?

 

I'm just taking a "wild stab", DRAMA????......it's present in all girls sports, whether you think so or not.

[Clyde]

Are their teams in the 9th that do NOT want to beat NDA?

[wxyz]

Are their teams in the 9th that do NOT want to beat NDA?

 

Don't all teams want to beat all teams?

NDA is 9th Region royalty, hence the obsession.

[FastForward]

NDA has been the only consistent team thus far & I really don't see that changing anytime soon!! Any team can be beaten on any given day so there's always luck!! I can say with 95% certainty that Cooper & Ryle will make it out of the 33rd District (holding that 5% chance Boone or Conner get extremely lucky!!) Yes, Cooper has been up & down, but from what I've seen they have actually learned from the "down" games & that is what makes them stronger!! They have beaten Ryle almost every meeting & that is partly due to talent & mostly due to the drive. Cooper WANTS to be the Best & are not/have not been afraid to play the best to get there. I admit I am a HUGE Cooper fan & don't have a kid in the sport, but I like how Coach Isaac always gets the best from her players...kinda like Fookes from Boone does during basketball season!!!

Of course with that said, I still think NDA will be making another trip to State & is a great team to have representing NKY!!!

[BigBlue05]

I think at the end of the day Ryle is the only team who can make a run at ND...jmo. St. Henry and Cooper are strong but I just like Ryles matchup the best....like I said jmo.

[frankdracman23]

I think at the end of the day Ryle is the only team who can make a run at ND...jmo. St. Henry and Cooper are strong but I just like Ryles matchup the best....like I said jmo.

 

Those teams all have to overcome being beaten by ND in the regular season while NCC will not have that burden having not played ND. Draw could be big, Obviously the two top seeds that draw away from ND have an easier route to the final instead of having to go thru ND.

 

Might not matter in the end as Ryle, NCC, Cooper, St. Henry's best wins all seem to be against each other.

[FastForward]

I think at the end of the day Ryle is the only team who can make a run at ND...jmo. St. Henry and Cooper are strong but I just like Ryles matchup the best....like I said jmo.

 

You're right to some extent. I think on paper, Ryle has the most players to match NDA's talent position by position, but it only counts what shows up on the court. Miracles can & do happen & IMO the 2 teams that could come out as the "Cinderella" team knocking NDA off the pedestal are Cooper & Ryle (of course that is if all the stars align, all the big time talent plays & they have the game of their lives!!) The 9th Region crown is NDA's to lose!!

[NKYVB]

You're right to some extent. I think on paper, Ryle has the most players to match NDA's talent position by position, but it only counts what shows up on the court. Miracles can & do happen & IMO the 2 teams that could come out as the "Cinderella" team knocking NDA off the pedestal are Cooper & Ryle (of course that is if all the stars align, all the big time talent plays & they have the game of their lives!!) The 9th Region crown is NDA's to lose!!

 

This is probably Ryle's last chance to win the region for a few years. Nda is keeping everyone but Thelen and Von Handorf. Cooper is losing 4 seniors but has arguably the best class to ever come through the program.

[BigBlue05]

You're right to some extent. I think on paper, Ryle has the most players to match NDA's talent position by position, but it only counts what shows up on the court. Miracles can & do happen & IMO the 2 teams that could come out as the "Cinderella" team knocking NDA off the pedestal are Cooper & Ryle (of course that is if all the stars align, all the big time talent plays & they have the game of their lives!!) The 9th Region crown is NDA's to lose!!

 

I agree....that's why they play a series....talent will prevail!

[NKYVB]

This is probably Ryle's last chance to win the region for a few years. Nda is keeping everyone but Thelen and Von Handorf. Cooper is losing 4 seniors but has arguably the best class to ever come through the program.

 

Well, I guess that's why we need to proofread before we post. I didn't finish the last part. Cooper has arguably the best class to ever come through the program coming in next year (class of 2019) with some big talent that could play big roles for the jags. From what I hear, Ryle will have a fairly good class coming in too.