Assumption Outlasts NDA, Loaded Field To Claim Asics Challenge

Kentucky teams stood at the top of the Asics Challenge this past weekend with Assumption out of Louisville winning a three set battle in the championship against Notre Dame Academy out of Park Hills. There are teams that are good, really good, and great. So what makes these teams great and what separates Assumption from the rest?   For Notre Dame Academy The Pandas of Notre Dame Academy showed relentless grit and scrappiness all weekend. They won a big three set match over host, Mother McAuley in the semifinals and took Assumption, one of the best teams in the country, to three sets, falling in the championship. <img class=" wp-image-159906 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/10/DSC09741.jpg" alt="" width="428" height="285" /> All teams have great players, but there is also a sense of balance within this team where they have the ball control, setting, attacking, size, tempo, and intangibles to be among the best in their state and can be other top teams in the nation.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> [player_tooltip player_id="106678" first="Sydney" last="Nolan"] is so tough to stop on the slide for <a href="https://x.com/NDA_athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDA_athletics</a> - 2023 plays for <a href="https://x.com/NKYVC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NKYVC</a> We're going to set three! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/asicschallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#asicschallenge</a> <a href="https://t.co/iuP4QufXX7">pic.x.com/iuP4QufXX7</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1444370981871620096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Kamden Schrand is the libero who provides the first contact, she plays with such a spark and sets the tone with her passion, aggressiveness, and range. A Class of 2023 commit to Louisville, she plays club at [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] and shows that she definitely is one of the top liberos in the country. Setter, [player_tooltip player_id="126332" first="Emily" last="Bentley"] is a true quarterback. She keeps it simple. Her ability to set the slide as well as the shoot to her middles is spot on. I rarely saw her attack, but when it was there it was a slam dunk to the ten footline for a point, incredibly efficient. <img class="alignright wp-image-159907" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/10/DSC09751.jpg" alt="" width="372" height="249" />   The attackers for Notre Dame bring a really interesting mix of skills. [player_tooltip player_id="106678" first="Sydney" last="Nolan"], a 6'3 middle blocker is definitely one where teams know the ball is going to her on a slide and it is still incredibly tough to defend. She contacts the ball high (touches 10'5), but works her angles well and knows where the open spots are. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="107418" first="Macy" last="Lentz"] is a physical attacker where she can serve receive to attack. Another outside hitter who is going to be on the rise is Ava Tilden. She is long, athletic, and knows how to compete against top competition. She is only a freshman from the Class of 2025 and has the tools to be an elite prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="157453" first="Peyton" last="Mast"] is an “X-Factor”, at 6'0 tall and left-handed she can do plenty of positive things for her squad. She can swing from either pin, but hits such a heavy ball from the right side and can come around on one foot to the middle. She is also a big time block to shutdown opposing outside hitters.   For Assumption Their greatest strength is little weakness. The adjustments that Assumption makes during a match are such fine details that they get stronger as the match continues with how their coaching staff is constantly teaching these athletes. Small adjustments on positioning, their serve, their block, small details make a huge difference for this squad.   [caption id="attachment_159908" align="alignright" width="387"]<img class="wp-image-159908" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/10/DSC09780.jpg" alt="" width="387" height="259" /> [player_tooltip player_id="104524" first="Ally" last="Brown"][/caption] Pressure starts from the service line. Many teams preach this, but to actually execute this is difficult at a high level. They hit all the seems. They are serving the ball flat and hard that is getting their opponents out of system from the start. Everything is intentional. They are disrupting the setter's path, they are finding the weakness is serve receive formations, and it is relentless pressure from the start.   The Rockets have plenty of depth. They have a full bench of players who can step in and contribute. Prime example was in the second set of the championship match when setter [player_tooltip player_id="106669" first="Whitney" last="Woodrow"] went out after taking a big swing to the forehead. Senior DS, [player_tooltip player_id="104524" first="Ally" last="Brown"], stepped in and led her team to a set three victory and the championship title. These athletes are all around players. Brown put up a hittable ball and came up with huge digs and serves to step up when her team needed her most.   They have the power. On the outside is [player_tooltip player_id="106668" first="Sydney" last="Helmers"], a Texas commit who stands are 6'4 and is a human highlight reel whenever the ball comes her way. Setter, [player_tooltip player_id="106669" first="Whitney" last="Woodrow"] is 6'1 and is so disciplined and well trained. As a setter, her hands are obviously smooth and she hits all the tempos, but it's how she moves out of system, defends her position, and makes her presence at the net known defensively is what really separates her from the rest. She is committed to Fordham. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Warmups are kind of fun. [player_tooltip player_id="106668" first="Sydney" last="Helmers"] of Assumption (KY) and <a href="https://x.com/KIVAVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KIVAVB</a> at the <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/asicschallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#asicschallenge</a> One of the top 2023's in the country she is committed to Texas <a href="https://t.co/I3bqGgrt9d">pic.x.com/I3bqGgrt9d</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1445037551161679872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   What's Next? These teams load their schedules up with the best teams in the country. Assumption will head to Chandler, Arizona for another tournament with top teams in the country while NDA continues to play against top teams in Kentucky and Ohio. The Cincinnati/NKY area is loaded with top volleyball in the Mideast. The two teams will be gearing up for another round against each other come October 14 when NDA makes the trip to Louisville to take on Assumption.