Semifinals: Bowling Green vs. Paul-Laurence Dunbar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first KHSAA semifinal game took place on November 4th, 2022 at 12 PM between two public schools, Bowling Green and Paul-Laurence Dunbar. You normally don't see a public school matchup in the semis, and you rarely ever see a public school in the finals, so this was a matchup to remember. The intensity and passion in the gym was electric, and a game that each player should always be proud of. In the end, Paul-Laurence Dunbar ended staying on top and winning the match in four sets (18-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-22). Bowling Green ended up stealing the first set, but then couldn't quite live up to the offensive power Dunbar was throwing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Lady Purples still had a lot to be proud of. [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'], freshman middle hitter, stepped up for Bowling Green and became the clear difference in the match. Bailey had a hot 20 kills with 6 errors on 44 attempts to hit .318 which for a freshman in the state tournament is pretty impressive. Whenever Bailey was in the game, she was the definite go-to and got the job done. Amirra ended her freshman year with 390 kills and 107 blocks. Wow.... [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'] will be a name to remember these next couple of years. Another star of this match was senior setter, [player_tooltip player_id='170940' first='Kaia' last='Barnett'], who finished with 35 assists and hit a .312 with 5 kills, 0 errors, and 16 attempts. Barnett was absolutely exceptional in the front and back row where she led her team from every position. She's a sensational player to watch because of her court knowledge and love of the game. [player_tooltip player_id='170940' first='Kaia' last='Barnett'] will be missed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last stud to mention is senior libero, [player_tooltip player_id='68141' first='Mackenzie' last='Austin'], who racked up 17 digs and 2 aces. Austin has been the libero for the Lady Purples since her 8th grade year, so this match marked the last one of the Austin reign forever as her sister, Hailey-Beth Austin was the libero three years before her. Anyone who knows the Austin's can see their talent in serve receive and defense as well as their pure love for the game. From 2014 to now in 2022, the Austin's have ruled the back court, but every good thing must come to an end. Congratulations to the Austin's for years of success and Mackenzie on her district and region accolades this year. Plus, congrats to the other two seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='207242' first='Lily-Kate' last='Carver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='207243' first='Elizabeth' last='Maglinger'], on their achievements this year and being impactful six rotation left sides. The four seniors: [player_tooltip player_id='170940' first='Kaia' last='Barnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='68141' first='Mackenzie' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='207242' first='Lily-Kate' last='Carver'], and [player_tooltip player_id='207243' first='Elizabeth' last='Maglinger'] made history for the Bowling Green Lady Purples and will never be forgotten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up, the winners of this epic semfinal match, Paul-Laurence Dunbar dominated this game with offensive and defensive power. After losing the first set, they came out guns blazing the rest of the match. Their two stud junior outside hitters, [player_tooltip player_id='107413' first='Delaney' last='Gash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='106672' first='Ava' last='Jackson'], played unbelievably well the last three sets. Gash had 20 kills, 9 errors, and 50 attempts to hit a .220. [player_tooltip player_id='106672' first='Ava' last='Jackson'] had 18 kills, 9 errors, and 37 attempts to hit a .243. It's hard to defend this Dunbar team because their two powerhouses are on the outside and stay in the game the whole time. Therefore, Jackson and Gash are a force in the back row and the front row, always making them an option for the squad. Plus, senior middle hitter, Nyla Gains, paved the way of determination with her positive energy and motivating the team by showing her leadership skills. Gains had 6 kills on 8 attempts which allowed her to hit a .750. She may have not been the go-to, but Gains did her job and led the team by example. Then, add in star sophomore setter, [player_tooltip player_id='198544' first='Isabela' last='Haggard'], and you have a pretty tough team to stop. Haggard is gritty and flat out competitive, wanting to win at all costs. Haggard, as a setter, had 7 kills on 14 attempts which meant she hit a .500 and added 11 digs and 5 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a match this was for both teams. Congrats to Bowling Green for making history and going the farthest they ever have in state. Then, congrats to Dunbar who became the third public school to show up in the KHSAA finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->