Jump Zone: Inside Notre Dame's Dominant Five win over St. Henry

The jump zone might as well be an imaginary place above the net where a lot of magic happens that even extends beyond the attack line that is 10 feet from the net.   The Notre Dame Pandas and St. Henry Crusaders have such good ball control they see their big hitters spend there, especially when they play each other or the other three members of Kentucky's Dominant Five (Louisville powers Assumption, Sacred Heart and Mercy) that have won 44 of the 45 state championships starting with the first one in 1979. Those battles often come down to which team executes better there.   In the case of Saturday's 16th annual Playing for a Purpose game at Boone County, the more experienced Notre Dame (9-2) did that to knock off St. Henry, 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-12). The game took place in front of approximately 3000 fans that saw a lot of proceeds go toward Breast Cancer research.   The ball did not hit the floor on a number of first and even second attacks. It often turned into a matter of which team finished after the initial attacks and Notre Dame made the quick adjustments faster.   The 6-3 senior [player_tooltip player_id='159378' first='Corrine' last='Blackburn'] tried to set the tone early for the Crusaders (12-2) as the tallest player on the court turning away two Notre Dame attacks in the middle to put St. Henry up 3-0 in the first game. However, the Pandas settled in and began attacking different spots around the net from outside shots at the pins with [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'], [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'] to the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'].   [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'] did great jobs setting the tone with first passes. Then experienced setters [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269766' first='Lauren' last='Ott'] put balls in numerous places for the powerful Panda hitters to put down. Ott even threw in a setter dump to surprise the Crusaders.   Goetz landed an ace to put Notre Dame up 18-13 prompting a St. Henry timeout. The Crusaders did come back to go up 21-20. The two counterpunched until Goetz landed a block and the Crusaders hit one long to give the Pandas the first game.   Notre Dame came out better in the second game going up 5-2 before St. Henry tied it at six. The Crusaders tried to mix in [player_tooltip player_id='451098' first='Madi' last='Demler'] hitting the ball finding ways to counter the balanced Panda attack. St. Henry freshman Violet Main even landed some kills in the middle.   However, the Pandas built that lead back to seven and did not let it slip away. They won the second one on a net violation then took care of business in the third game. The Pandas built the lead to 10 in the third game then finished the game with a Portwood kill.   St. Henry will only grow from this experience. The Crusaders have a good mix of experienced and young talent. They've meshed in many ways and will continue to do so as the season progresses. [player_tooltip player_id='594619' first='Emily' last='Helmers'] had some nice kills for the Crusaders.   Unofficial Stat Leaders   Kills   [player_tooltip player_id='451098' first='Madi' last='Demler'], St. Henry - 13   [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'], Notre Dame - 10   [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], Notre Dame - 8   [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'], Notre Dame - 8   [player_tooltip player_id='594619' first='Emily' last='Helmers'], St. Henry - 8   [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Notre Dame - 7   [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'], Notre Dame - 7   Assists   [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'], Notre Dame - 21   [player_tooltip player_id='269766' first='Lauren' last='Ott'], Notre Dame - 18   [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert'], St. Henry - 14   Demler, St. Henry - 8   Blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='159378' first='Corrine' last='Blackburn'], St. Henry - 4   Goetz - 3   Dyas - 2   Tilden - 2   Digs   [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'], Notre Dame - 11   [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'], St. Henry - 11   [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'], Notre Dame - 6   Notable Performances    Tilden was as tough as nails on the outside. She has great technique from her steps to the follow-through. She constantly finds ways to angle balls off blocks. Tilden is also trying to be a more solid six-rotation player making solid passes from the back row to start the offense.     Zwick showed a lot of potential to add to the talented Pandas during club season and has done so. She rises high above the net and smacks down balls. She finds ways to angle balls off blockers and has great timing on her blocks.     Dyas does not mind when people say Audrey Denyas at all and it fits what she does on the court well. She is dedicated, athletic and uses it to control the net. Her timing on blocks is also amazing. Not only does it allow her to put hands on balls and pop them in the air for teammates to pass, she forces opponents to hit balls high and wide.     Larkins had the hot setting hand a good bit in the game and her experience once again showed. Her coaches and teammates tell her where to send balls and she tries to execute with precision. She takes full advantage of the consistent two and three-ball first touches in Notre Dame's solid ball control.     Demler is a versatile player and the Crusaders are trying to take advantage of that. She sets to different places on the court and is getting in sync offensively with the young St. Henry setter. Demler can hit balls across the court. She makes things happen when she gets her swings in.     Helmers has good swings from the pins. She is more comfortable in the St. Henry offense this year. Helmers is trying to bring a strong net presence forcing balls high and wide if she can not reach them defensively.

The jump zone might as well be an imaginary place above the net where a lot of magic happens that even extends beyond the attack line that is 10 feet from the net.