Elite 8: Bowling Green vs. McCracken County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On November 3rd, 2022 at 12 PM, we had the tough quarterfinal matchup of two strong teams, Bowling Green and McCracken County. They faced off earlier this year, and Bowling Green won in five sets with the ending score of 15-9. I'm sure you'd like to know that this outcome was exactly the same with Bowling Green taking the dub in a five set thriller 15-9 to end it (18-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-13, 15-9). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though, McCracken County did put on a show for the first two sets. Sophomore outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='159358' first='Addison' last='Hart'], led the team with 20 kills and only had 6 errors which meant a .264 hitting percentage. Plus, she added 9 digs, 3 service aces, and 2 blocks. Hart just raised up like a gazelle and was the go to for McCracken in every situation. Also, senior, [player_tooltip player_id='127199' first='Caroline' last='Sivills'], was a stud tonight as their left-handed right side. Sivills hit a .147 with 13 kills, and she truly carried the team with senior leadership and positive energy. Sivills was almost unstoppable every time she swung down the line, and you could see this boisterous and relentless energy from across the gym. Another senior that was majorly impressive for the Lady Mustangs was setter, [player_tooltip player_id='127194' first='Piper' last='Mullinax']. She ended the night with 6 kills and one error on 13 attempts to give her a .385 hitting percentage as a setter! Mullinax was a force with her two hand dumps, full on swings from the front row, and one handed attacks. Another quality about Mullinax that will be missed is her efficiency in bump setting. She may have bump set just as much as she hand set, but she was putting the ball in the sweet spot every time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then, you have the ultra talented Bowling Green Purples squad, and the fact they are making history. This quarterfinals win puts them in the semifinals which is their first time ever getting this far in state, and I must say this was a team effort from every angle. Leading the team in kills and having the absolute game of her life, [player_tooltip player_id='207242' first='Lily-Kate' last='Carver'] dropped a record-high 25 kills and hit a .370. Carver, with no exaggeration, literally hit every shot in the book and did so efficiently while also tallying 10 digs in the back row giving Lily-Kate her first ever double-double. [player_tooltip player_id='207242' first='Lily-Kate' last='Carver'] stepped up to the plate, and every single person in the gym noticed. Plus, other outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='207243' first='Elizabeth' last='Maglinger'] played exceptional where she led the team with a .478 hitting percentage and totalled 11 kills and 2 errors on just 23 attempts. Maglinger may not be that huge go-getter on the left, but she sure knows how to do her job and lead by example with her craftiness and defensive energy. In just three rotations in the back row, Elizabeth racked up 21 digs which is a task in itself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's just so many players to highlight in this win because every single person stepped up to the plate for Bowling Green. Sophomore, Addi Kincheloe, came off the bench to hit middle and did her job defensively. Freshman, Morgan Rockrohr, scored two aces as a serving specialist for the middles. Then, after switching from a 6'2 to a 5'1 in the middle of the match, sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='477191' first='Claire' last='Lawless'], showed out with the team-high 3 service aces. Your star middle hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'], as just a freshman, scored 15 kills herself with 6 stuff blocks. I swear when she goes to block a ball, she makes the whole gym go silent.... And how can you not mention the senior quarterback of the team, [player_tooltip player_id='170940' first='Kaia' last='Barnett'], where she received a career-high of 45 assists? Kaia's court presence, leadership, and the way she carries herself will be greatly missed for this Lady Purples team. I can't tell you how much I will even miss watching this girl play. Throw in one of the best liberos in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='68141' first='Mackenzie' last='Austin'], and her steadiness in serve receive, and you have a pretty great squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling Green made history today. Congrats to the Lady Purples and good luck as they face Paul-Laurence Dunbar in their first ever semi-finals match at 12 PM on Friday, November 4th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->