Ballard at Christian Academy-Louisville Recap

One thing would win out in this 28th District battle. That was either the size of the Ballard Bruins or the quickness of the Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions.   It ended up being the size of the Bruins (6-1) that won out in this one, 3-1 (15‑25, 25‑17, 25‑20, 25‑20). When Ballard made a crisp first pass, setter [player_tooltip player_id='477200' first='Natalie' last='Sanders'] often did a quick in the middle to the two tall juniors in 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'] and 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'], who quickly slammed it down to the sides of blockers quick because CAL (12-2) had no one tall enough to reach up and disrupt them. Ballard had lost five in a row in the series dating back to the 28th District championship win in 2020.   CAL standout freshman [player_tooltip player_id='601632' first='Kayleigh' last='Rogers'] dominated the first game on her way to a career-high in kills. She constantly found ways around blockers to different parts of the court. Rogers was especially dangerous from the strong left side.   The Bruins controlled the net better the next three games. Grivna and Liening rose up and challenged the hitters better. They also served more aggressive and kept the Centurions out of system some.   Ballard head coach Doug Coan said he told the players they will go as far as their defense takes them. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='750447' first='Megan' last='Helander'] (pictured) led the effort there. On one play, she dove back to dig up a ball that the Bruins ultimately put down and reacted one time for a dig that landed on the other side. [player_tooltip player_id='752334' first='Ruby' last='Tennen'], [player_tooltip player_id='479283' first='Ahtziry' last='Medina'] and even [player_tooltip player_id='579792' first='Jocelyn' last='Marowelli'] had some timely digs for the Bruins.   The Bruins displayed more balance than the Centurions. After Grivna and Liening, the 6-1 senior [player_tooltip player_id='395957' first='Piper' last='Blain'] and Marowelli had some big kills. Sanders mixed in some setter dumps with a good game setting. Even [player_tooltip player_id='629192' first='Marleigh' last='Tripp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='538292' first='Nia' last='Smith'] did their parts in the Ballard win.   CAL jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second game before Ballard used a 6-0 run to go up for good at 12-8. Grivna led the run with two aces.   Liening also got in rhythm that game. She smacked down two overpassed balls to help the Bruins increase the lead to 20-13. Ballard ultimately won the game on two Grivna kills and a CAL passing error.   The Bruins started the third game faster going up 5-1 following a Helander ace. However, Rogers got some swings in including an ace and the Centurions tied the game at eight.   Ballard increased the lead to four including 20-16 after Grivna landed a block on Rogers. The Bruins did not pull away until the end. Up 22-20, Liening landed a block before Marowelli finished the game with two kills.   The Bruins took the lead at 2-1 to start the fourth game and did not let that one slip away. Sanders landed the setter dump to give Ballard a 13-8 lead forcing a CAL timeout. Grivna landed a quick to make it 18-11 Bruins before the Centurions made their run. CAL trimmed the lead to 19-17 before Liening landed a quick to stop the run. Tennen then landed an ace and Sanders had a block to make it 22-17 Bruins. Blain then finished the game with a kill.   CAL tried to display balance, but could not get in rhythm as well as the first game. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='753354' first='Ella' last='Baker'] distributed the ball to the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='159345' first='Caroline' last='Bates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477209' first='Kathryn' last='Chase'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479282' first='Katrina' last='Oswald'] made some nice saves on hard-hit balls. The Centurions still have a lot to look forward to including the Class 2A state tournament Sept. 19 and 20.   Unofficial Stat Leaders   Kills   [player_tooltip player_id='601632' first='Kayleigh' last='Rogers'], CAL - 32   [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'], Ballard - 13   [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'], Ballard - 9   [player_tooltip player_id='159345' first='Caroline' last='Bates'], CAL - 9   [player_tooltip player_id='395957' first='Piper' last='Blain'], Ballard - 8   [player_tooltip player_id='477200' first='Natalie' last='Sanders'], Ballard - 5   [player_tooltip player_id='579792' first='Jocelyn' last='Marowelli'], Ballard - 5   Assists   [player_tooltip player_id='753354' first='Ella' last='Baker'], CAL - 42   Sanders - 27   Digs   [player_tooltip player_id='479282' first='Katrina' last='Oswald'], CAL - 23   [player_tooltip player_id='750447' first='Megan' last='Helander'], Ballard - 19   Baker - 13   Rogers - 8   Marowelli - 8   [player_tooltip player_id='752334' first='Ruby' last='Tennen'], Ballard - 6   [player_tooltip player_id='629192' first='Marleigh' last='Tripp'], Ballard - 4   [player_tooltip player_id='479283' first='Ahtziry' last='Medina'], Ballard - 3   Blocks   Liening - 10   Grivna - 9   Sanders - 4   [player_tooltip player_id='538292' first='Nia' last='Smith'] - 4   [player_tooltip player_id='477209' first='Kathryn' last='Chase'], CAL - 3   Aces   Rogers - 3   Grivna - 2   Helander - 2   Marowelli - 2   Oswald - 2   Notable Performances    Ballard might not have had the win without Helander's hustle plays. She dug up Rogers on several big occasions later in the game caroming it to the front row for nice attacks. She dove toward the back line to save one ball and had a reactive dig that landed on the other side of the net for a kill. Helander recorded a crucial kick save in the third game.     Grivna controlled the net as the Centurions had no answer for her quick hits in the middle. Her swing blocks have especially improved. She timed up balls for big stops throughout the game. Grivna is trying to be a complete all-around player. She served two aces to start a Ballard rally in the second game.     Liening smacked down a number of balls using her size. She helped control the net in games two through four. Liening and Sanders are in such sync with quicks they are a thing of beauty to watch. Liening hits them so hard that solid defenders would even have a hard time digging them up if they are in the right position. She also had several key blocks in the win.     Sanders went above and beyond the normal setter duties to help the Bruins win this game. Sanders not only had great sets, she distributed the ball well. She mixed in setter dumps and made some crucial digs during the game.     Marowelli helped take pressure off Liening and Grivna with an outside presence. She also dove to make some saves. She helped finish off the third game with two big kills.     Rogers has an outstanding career ahead of her. Rogers has the genes, athleticism and desire to make things happen for the Centurions. Ballard knew what was coming and could not stop her at times. She can hit all over the court and is especially dangerous from the strong left side. Rogers is not afraid to mix in tips and ricochet balls off defenders out of bounds. Rogers had some big digs, some timely blocks and aces.     Baker is in sync with her hitters and the results have shown it. Baker hustles to passes and puts balls where they're needed so hitters can put them down. Baker is also strong covering the net. Baker helped the Centurions win some rallies going to the ground for crucial digs.

One thing would win out in this 28th District battle. That was either the size of the Ballard Bruins or the quickness of the Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions.