SportsInKY

Congratulations go out to: Alli Borders PAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-PAC and Hannah Talkers HCAC Freshman of the Year Well done Girls!

You mentioned Micah was "also" left handed and I wondered if you were trying to indicate that Borders was too. Perhaps that's not what you meant, but that's what it looked like. I did not thing Sandman's post was comparing the two at all, but simply stating she's not the only one who does it. Personally, when I ever get the opportunity to see Boone play, I love to watch her slam a kill with her non-dominant hand. Almost every team speaks of "shutting the Boone setter down" so that speaks volumes for her. Now, I'm on to the next subject.....

She played for BCVC for a few years, then Xtreme (although she was invited to play at NKYVC last year) and this year she will be with NKJV. Talent doesn't come in the form of the club team you play for or the school team you play for; it comes from the individual. Good coaches are everywhere, even at less "premier" clubs, and to not recognize individual talent simply because they are not on the premier club teams or best school teams is not only commonplace in NKY, but it is a travesty. Borders has many colleges recruiting her from all athletic divisions. According to her parents, she is still making college visits and has yet to make a decision. She is an excellent student and will probably be able to get her college paid for, whether through athletic or academic scholarships. My kid has played with her in the past and I am still friends with the family. Hard work and dedication bring rewards. Let it be a lesson to all the players out there who are told if they aren't on the winning teams or best clubs, they don't have a chance! I've heard that said with my own ears, several times. It simply isn't true.

wxyz..... do you realize that Borders is not even left handed? She ran a 6-2 with Julia Klute her last Club season and did a lot of hitting both left and right handed. If you're going to base your observations of the few school matches you may have seen her play, then you are not getting the whole picture at all. Her blocking stats are awesome too. As captain, her strong net presence and leadership definitely helps Boone win games.

The girl you thought looked like she was in 6th grade is a sophomore. To answer the original question, it depends on the athlete as it depends on the parent. I've witnessed some very overzealous parents who are not always so impartial. It really depends on the individual as to what kind of job they will do. I don't think you can generalize it by asking should it be an athlete or parent.

Let's not forget Boone Co. Later beat Conner at the Scott September Slam.

Thank you for the info!

Thank you for the info

Who came in second and third?

The exact same thing can be said about Borders from Boone County. She has been the starting setter and an impact player for four solid years. Hits well with both hands too.

Cooper is a newer school compared to the others. Probably more records will be broken and some better athletes may enter and the numbers may also reflect it's newness and lack of long history. Also, ALL teams are plagued with illnesses and injuries, even the lesser teams. Is it just me or are we seeing a lot more players with rolled ankles this year? I hope all the girls stay healthy. I am going to the 6pm game tonight and am looking forward to seeing who I feel are the two best teams in the region, play.

Nothing I stated says anything in disagreement to what you just said. In fact, I not only "understand" but I agree. I just indicated that being on a certain club team or school team is not the ONLY way a player can get noticed (that it wasn't "necessary" not that it wasn't an good thing) and I just passed a story along heard from a current volley player's parent. There are SO many other ways a skilled player can market herself or himself. The right camps, showcases, big tournaments, and proper preparation with a lot of personal drive and action can not only be helpful but GREAT experience for any athlete.

Then I sit corrected. The point, no matter what the rules, is, so many parents placate their children and "buy" opportunities, or just flat out deceive to try to give them some perceived advantage over others... it happens. I was speaking to a volleyball father the other day and he indicated that, after doing the math, he will most likely have spent more than the cost of his daughter's college education through all the years' monies he has paid toward volleyball, IF she gets an athletic scholarship to the school in which she is most interested. What some parents are willing to pay or do to get their kids an advantage, although noble and understandable, doesn't surprise me anymore, but it used to. It is an expensive type of networking, but, there are still some of us out here who believe that the athletes do not "need" the great high school teams, nor the best club teams, to be noticed, recruited and signed to great colleges. It takes hard work, skill, effort, staying on top of everything, making connections and perseverance to get that scholarship. Networking doesn't have to be expensive by way of the most expensive club teams or by hiring recruiting firms to do the bidding for the athlete. It's like most things in life.... we can always find someone who is willing to be paid for doing the things we don't have time to, or don't want to do, ourselves. What I'm concluding is, big clubs or schools can open your exposure, but if you do the footwork yourself, you can accomplish the same thing, if your skills are good enough.

It was a good game, but yes, a little bit wild. Both teams fought hard though. Exciting.

I know 2 athletes who go to different PUBLIC schools whose parents are living together with the athlete, and they aren't "paying" for anything, just deceiving. In one instance, it's simply because the student didn't want to be separated from best friends. Simple as that. As for why people aren't complaining, I can only speak for myself. I simply don't care about what others do along these lines in high school athletics, even if it is dishonest. I can only assume that many others do not report because they feel similarly. Private schools have the luxury of recruiting in high school; public schools have more rules about attending schools in which you are districted. It doesn't stop the fact that it is still done, at times, dishonestly.

Disagree about back row. She is a hard hitter, but, I personally know players on teams who told me they consistently serve and hit to her when she is in back row (weak link) because the vast majority of the time, that team gets the point. There is so much room to grow and being a hard hitter is only one dimension of the game of volleyball. Also, attitude on and off the court should be an important factor, and for some reason, in high school, it doesn't seem to matter to many of the coaches, for play time. I know college coaches would much rather have players who don't show their attitudes all over the court.

Sadly, there are some players out there who play excellently in every position, but, if they don't play for a "winning" powerhouse team, they are barely acknowledged by NKY coaches or anyone in forums such as this. Likewise, many teams have their "token" photographers that copy everything a team does to the news stations. It causes more exposure, but, it doesn't change or impact stats. It's more about the programs/teams than it is about the players. A great player, however, can be noticed by college coaches and that's what really counts. It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks.

One way they do it is by cheating. Many high school athletes play for schools out of their districted area on the sly. I can think of many sports teams who would, overall, be better or worse if the players played at the schools near where they live. I guess some parents/players just don't like to follow the rules.

Disagree totally. Hentz is a much better offensive player. Hentz also has a much greater ability to hit non-perfect sets.

During the second meeting of Boone/Conner at the September Slam, Boone took care of Conner. It was strange this year that Boone's (and I think Conner's) first matches were with each other... district competition. I think that first match loss is more of an indication of a slow start for Boone. Even through both meet-ups, the teams seemed very well matched.

There are so many factors as to why teams win or don't win, but, in all this discussion, I only see about "weaknesses" being the cause for losing the match to Boone. I was there; I saw the match, and too little is said about Boone being the team that "never gives up." Hard hitters are great, but placement focus and hustle can win games. They have talented hitters lead by senior Katie Grant and their junior setter Alli Borders is an amazing athlete and leader that plays all the way around and hits both left and right handed. Libero senior Kara Means takes control of the back row and together, they all seem to be getting the job done, playing with smarts. Let's give some credit where credit is due. Boone didn't just "eek" by Cooper, it was a sweep, no matter how close the set scores. It's hard to say yet how this district will turn out!