vblover

Absolutely great high school match tonight at Dixie between NDA and St Henry. Two teams fighting, players grinding, momentum changing runs, and so on. NDA takes sets 1 & 2 behind solid backrow play from Region 9 Tournament MVP Jackie Noll and big offensive contributions from Natalie Hardig and Lainey Stephenson. Then, St Henry plays inspired volleyball and wins game 3 & 4 to force a decisive game 5. Maria Tobergte sprained an ankle and missed 8-10 points in game 2 and was absolutely awesome in sets 3 & 4 to lead the comeback. Paige Noble was also hitting thunderous balls off and around the block. NDA jumped out early in the 5th and wins 15-8. Looked like St Henry might have run out of gas. Awesome display of volleyball and represented Region 9 and NKY well. Thanks to all the young ladies and coaches. Great show!

NDA sweep. Back and forth G1, 26-24. Then, NDA controlled and Cooper serve receive fell apart. 25-18, 25-16.

Unfortunately for Bush, Ryle just hasn't been able to support her being the POY. She is an amazing talent and a fierce competitor. Totally agree that competition matters, especially when looking at raw stats. Apples to oranges based on competition. And, I favor 6 rotation players for major awards unless you are a monster attacker and blocker.

There should be more than 1 NDA kid on the team. They are undefeated in NKY. Jackie Noll for sure and I'd add Lainey Stephenson.

First, it's just an opinion. I have no vote. 202 kills (.329 hitting percentage) which leads her team by nearly 50 kills. 3.4 kills per set. 49 aces which leads her team by double. She's also a 6 rotation player that's doing a nice job in serve receive and defense. NDA doesn't have a kid with overwhelming numbers to make the argument for "the best player on the best team" argument.

I'd say Kaity Smith from Cooper would get my vote.

Cooper in a sweep. 25-19, 25-11, 25-23

I'll take Cooper in a close one. At home and has a slight advantage defensively.

NDA is "down" on a regional and national level but is still the team to beat in Region 9. Will be tested again this weekend in Chicago.

JR DS Olivia Montelisciani and SOPH OH Abby Noll both provided production off the bench in the comeback.

Very competitive match. In my opinion, it started to turn at the end of game 2. Cooper had a comfortable lead (maybe 21-15) and NDA went to the bench and found a spark or two. They lost 25-23 but played much cleaner in game 3 and 4 with their bench stepping up. Game 5 was back and forth with NDA pulling away at the end. Both teams had their chances and it will be interesting to see how both teams grow in the next 2 months. Great way to start the season!

NDA wins in 5

Going 5. NDA wins game 4

NDA take game 3

Cooper up 2 games to 0.

Kelly Franxman (2018 Scott HS) has committed to Xavier

Similar situation... Athletes inadvertently serve out of rotation in high school matches & open level matches. Sometimes it is recognized and sometimes it isn't and play goes on. It is not something that happens every match, but happens with decent regularity. Most times it is not the coach of the team serving that recognizes the issue. Coaches also ask for lineup checks from time to time because athletes lose track of the current situation in a back and forth match. It does not seem impossible that this happens inadvertently from time to time without bad intentions. If coach instructed player to intentionally serve for multiple spots, I have a completely different opinion.

I have definitely seen a Libero inadvertently serve for both middles in a game, especially if they are running a new rotation or sub pattern. A Libero serving for 3 different spots in the rotation? I've never seen that one. Everyone should have caught this before it mattered. Opposing coach, Ref teams coach, (should be at table with girls if it's U12 match), and the R1. Was this in game 1 of a match or a decisive game 3? I've seen a lot of shenanigans in youth sports (sad, but true) but find it hard to believe a coach went up to a U12 player and said "hey, I want you to serve for 3 different kids this game"

If I had to guess based on my knowledge. Noll at Lib, Draud at one of the OH spots, MBs are Hardig and Gormally. S/RS are Stephenson and Morgan with Stephenson getting many swings on the LS also. The other OH/OPP position will probably be between Sears/Rees/Abby Noll and Schmal. DS role(s) will probably be between Sears/Montelisciani/Hardig/Kuhlman. I base most of this off of where the athletes were slotted last high school season and roles on varsity and JV. Obviously, current development could change roles.

Sandman- One impact athlete you failed to mention who will compete for a varsity MB starting spot is Shannon Gormally. She is playing 15-1 at Elevation

NDA will be just fine. It's what I was getting at in the Seniors thread. They have more talent than anyone else in Region 9 top to bottom. It may not be as dominant but there is a tremendous gap that other programs need to overcome.

Thanks KHSAA for the thrilling state final match! 25-5, 25-14, 25-10

I don't want to lose focus on the purpose of this post because the seniors deserve the positive press.

Assumption wins in 4. NDA needed one or two role players to have a 12-15 kill performance. That didn't happen. Instead, they got 6 from everyone else. Hardig contributed 8 blocks. Salkowski 0 blocks? Assumption hit .324 and they are the better, more balanced team. Very successful season and careers from the seniors. In the moment, it's difficult and feels incomplete. Soon, they will feel great about their accomplishments and have positive memories that will last a lifetime.

Slow down....that's a gigantic gap to fill to be top team I n Region 9. Two matches this season with NDA weren't all that competitive. Volleyball will always be a pass first sport and unless they have two great options that weren't on the roster this year, their primary on the court weaknesses remain the same.