What's going on in Region 9 this week? Anyone have some updates? Who's looking good right now?

In district 33, Cooper looked like they were firing on all cylinders, while Ryle struggled against Boone County. Cooper was passing well out of serve receive, even though Conner stayed away from the libero on the serve. Setting at times for Cooper wasn't great but the hitting was awesome. Cooper did a great job setting the ball to the pins and allowing the OH's to hit on the outside of the block and back into the middle of the floor. Katie Smith was blasting balls out of the middle back position for kills. All around great performance by Cooper.

 

Ryle seemed to struggle all night. The scores might not reflect it, but Boone's serve receive is what got them in trouble not Ryle's front line hitters. Ryle did switch to a 5-1 with Bush setting. You can tell a difference in the ability of attack without her hitting the ball. The only real threat was Ryle's big middle. She was going either right over top or around Boone's smaller middles. If Ryle doesn't use a more effective, reliable and diversified attack then Cooper will eat them alive at the net and on defense. My gut tells me Cooper is 3, but I will say Cooper in 4 sets. But you never know, that's why they play the games.

We know all 8 teams, just what order. My guess on Friday it will be:

 

1. NCC 2. Highlands

1. NDA 2. Beechwood

1. St. Henry 2. Villa

1. Ryle 2. Cooper

 

Draw is Sat. Everyone will be looking to draw opposite NDA.

Villa, Highlands, or Cooper will get NDA first round.

Cooper looked pretty good last night. I would not say they are an automatic to get NDA first round.

Just a quick observation after last night. St. Henry looks like they're finally jelling into the St. Henry we know and love, so I look for them to face NDA in the regional finals. The younger kids are acclimating very well to the varsity game, and with all the parity in the area I think they will manage to get past a few teams that might be physically more talented in certain areas. Just my two cents.

Great match tonight and the better team won. This is the toughest district to win so kudos to both teams, they go far in region.

Cooper defeated Ryle in 5 sets. Ryle lead 2-1 in sets and had a 24-19 lead in set 4 and ended up losing 24-26. 5 match points saved by Cooper. It just seemed like Ryle ran out of gas. Their depth showed at the end, especially with 2 injured senior starters out.

i had hoped to see either Boone or Conner pull an upset as both teams have had great seasons. Boone played well but let Ryle over take them in the end. Conner lost their right side, Taylor Koors to a knee injury just hours before the match. Not having her their to block Katie and Rebbeca was a huge loss for Conner and left yet the defense really scrambling. Best of luck to Cooper and Ryle at Regionals. As I'm always a champion of the underdog, perhaps one of them will do the unthinkable and knock off perennial power NDA.

Cooper defeated Ryle in 5 sets. Ryle lead 2-1 in sets and had a 24-19 lead in set 4 and ended up losing 24-26. 5 match points saved by Cooper. It just seemed like Ryle ran out of gas. Their depth showed at the end, especially with 2 injured senior starters out.

Who is out for Ryle and what is the extent of injury?

Chase Barber is out but I don't know the extent of her injury. I'm not sure about the other player.

Who is out for Ryle and what is the extent of injury?

 

Chase Barber and Tatum Davis. I'm not sure about the extent of their injuries.

No surprises in the first round as the 4 district champs advance. Notre Dame v St. Henry and Cooper v NCC in the semis.

 

Earlier this month Notre Dame beat St. Henry 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-15) and Cooper downed NCC 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-18, 25-18)