September Slam, Day 2 Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Simon Kenton Pioneers and Logan County Cougars had a great match the first night so it only became fitting they met for the September Slam championship at Scott on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton (8-0) actually trailed 14-12 with game point on the line in the third game. However, the Pioneers have players experienced in those situations and it showed in the comeback 16-14 win. It started with a [player_tooltip player_id='159349' first='Keira' last='Hans'] kill then a Gracie Meyer ace to tie the game at 14. After Hans slammed down a Logan County overpass, Meyer hit one that just bounced off the net and onto the other side to end the game in thrilling fashion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers started the first game strong scoring the first four points including two [player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'] aces. The Cougars did come back to tie the game before the Pioneers responded with a 3-0 run. Hans had a kill before Logan County hit the ball out of bounds to end that game with a 25-22 Simon Kenton win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars (4-5) came out strong in the second game building a 9-1 lead. The likes of Kirsten Harris and [player_tooltip player_id='603824' first='Emily' last='McIntosh'] gave the Cougars better balance in the game. Simon Kenton did trim the margin to 13-11 before the Cougars pulled away for the 25-17 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers tried to keep the Cougars out of rhythm mixing serve locations. However, they knew that would be tough so they focused on the blocking specifically with Hans and [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'] against Logan County standout [player_tooltip player_id='269730' first='Aubrey' last='Sears']. They slowed down balls enough for Chasteen and the defensive specialists to dig up then put down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton started the day taking down Somerset Christian, 2-0. The next game had an added meaning against Oldham County, who beat the Pioneers in the 8th Region Tournament title game for the second time in three years last year. The Pioneers won 2-0 in the battle of undefeated teams. Logan County beat Dixie Heights then Scott by 2-0 scores to make it to the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oldham County (9-1) and Madison Central finished 4-1 in the tournament. Oldham County rebounded to beat Scott in the third place game and Madison Central concluded the tournament with wins over Dixie Heights and Newport Central Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somerset Christian finished Saturday with wins over Campbell County and Holy Cross. The young Cougars are continuously improving each day and it showed in this tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross, Campbell County and Scott all finished with two wins each. Scott played an extra game against Boone County so each team played at least five games. Boone County, NewCath and Dixie Heights all won one game each in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212349"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":618743,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b0eab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kitchens is a beast at the net. She slides both directions quickly constantly trying to challenge hits and has a powerful swing. Kitchens had a number of touches on Logan County standout [player_tooltip player_id='269730' first='Aubrey' last='Sears'] in the September Slam. Kitchens does a great job going up and around blockers making it tough to block her. Her net presence forces opponents to hit balls high and wide a good bit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210627"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b0efc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chasteen's senior leadership to this team is extremely valuable. Chasteen is constantly cheering on her teammates and leading by example with her hustle plays. Chasteen squares up balls with her arms so even hard hits like she saw against Sears are nothing new to her. She also does a great job serving to different parts of the court keeping opponents on their toes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gracie Meyer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Simon Kenton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Club Apex","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b0f84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meyer's serving and defense went a long way helping the Pioneers win this tournament. She also dug up tough balls on Sears and had two key aces when the Pioneers scored four in a row to win the championship game against Logan County. The final serve caromed off the net to the floor to end the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477232"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b0fc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Porter does an outstanding job distributing the ball. She puts balls at high points for standout [player_tooltip player_id='269730' first='Aubrey' last='Sears'] to smack them down. Her footwork is also outstanding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":554709,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Laken Scannell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oldham County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b1046"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scannell tries to do everything possible to keep plays alive. She lays out for balls, serves strong and puts nice passes on target when the Colonels are out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535190"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b1086"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='521629' first='Morrett' last=''] does a good job controlling the net for the Indians. She can go up and angle balls away from defenders and even make in-air adjustments to tip over blockers when needed. [player_tooltip player_id='521629' first='Morrett' last=''] can also slow down if not block balls at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535263"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b10c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Childers may be young, but she plays like an experienced veteran. She makes crisp passes on first contacts. Childers has an outstanding work ethic that carries to her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":618766,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Madison Wolf","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newport Central Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d3dda1b1139"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wolf is a big reason why the Thoroughbreds are off to a better start this season. Her outside presence is taking the focus off other players. Wolf hits balls to different parts of the court. She can hit balls off blockers when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->