Walton-Verona at NewCath Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Attend the Top 250 Expo 12/1 in Wilder, KY! Use coupon code "GrahamExpo2024" at checkout for $10 off registration fee!</strong> Here's the&nbsp;link to the event page:&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1299/register/kentucky-top-250-expo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://events.prepdig.com/e/1299/register/kentucky-top-250-expo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Walton-Verona Bearcats and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds entered the non-region battle Wednesday hoping to build momentum for down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NewCath (11-15 overall) earned it with a 3-1 (28-30, 25-13, 25-14, 25-19) win over the Bearcats (11-11). The Thoroughbreds made better first contacts on balls on the whole and it showed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NewCath has been a strong serving team all season with 157 aces on the season not counting three games in the recent Thoroughbred Smash in Lexington. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Piperlyn' last='Kramer'] has emerged to lead the Thoroughbreds there and put up an astounding double-digit aces in the win with Addison Dufeck adding several.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kramer not only helped out serving, but also on defense keeping up with sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] in digs. Elise Fowler, [player_tooltip player_id='540518' first='Paytin' last='Reckers'] and Vivi Fassler all had at least five digs in the game. Fassler did a good job distributing the ball when the Thoroughbreds were in rhythm. The consistent Madison Wolf again led NewCath in kills with Reese McCloskey controlling the net and Katelyn Brannen earning some big kills. Not to be overlooked, sophomore Maura Franzen and freshman Maddie Sandfoss showed a bit of promise in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton-Verona improved with serve reception as the game progressed, but it's tough to dig out of holes they dug in this game as head coach Katelyn Sallee said. When the Bearcats made successful first contacts, they took some good swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abigayle Stamper, [player_tooltip player_id='269850' first='Bella' last='O'Brien'], Macie Godwin and Winter Vandiver led the Bearcats in digs. Vandiver had a good all-around game at the net with [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'] giving the Bearcats a chance in the fourth game with some timely kills. Laken Fugate led the Bearcats setting the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NewCath built a 7-1 lead in the first game with Kramer serving three aces. Down 22-21, Walton-Verona scored seven straight to trim the margin to 22-21. It went back and forth before Godwin landed a kill to give the Bearcats the first game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kramer served seven aces to start the second game as the Thoroughbreds scored that game's first 12 points and never looked back. Walton-Verona trimmed the lead to eight a couple times before a Wolf tip kill gave the Thoroughbreds the second game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third game started off tight before Dufeck served three aces to put NewCath up 11-5. Five straight hitting errors gave the Thoroughbreds a 17-7 lead. Franzen ended it with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NewCath finished the match in the fourth game. The Thoroughbreds led 13-8 after a hitting error before Walton-Verona came back within one twice. The Bearcats tied the game at 19 before Brannen had a kill and Wolf had another one to put the Thoroughbreds up 21-19. Following a timeout, NewCath scored four straight to end the match. Kramer landed another ace and Wolf had another kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison Wolf, NewCath - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'], Walton-Verona - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reese McCloskey, NewCath - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lily Vandiver, Walton-Verona - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vivi Fassler, NewCath - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laken Fugate, Walton-Verona - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'], NewCath - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Piperlyn' last='Kramer'], NewCath - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abigayle Stamper, Walton-Verona - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macie Godwin, Walton-Verona - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vandiver - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='269850' first='Bella' last='O'Brien'] - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kramer - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addison Dufeck, NewCath - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Brien - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCloskey - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vandiver - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedi Craven - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Peformances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693877"],"_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-66f4eb5030ecf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kramer (pictured) has provided a huge lift to the Thoroughbreds in serving and defense. She's very aggressive with both, which she credits to focus and playing with the Reckers sisters. Kramer said they're always playing hard so it's easy to play with them in the back row. Kramer served well to targets with nice low line drives.</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":693861,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Reese McCloskey","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_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-66f4e2df321ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCloskey has been NewCath's most consistent blocker all season and displayed it again in the win. She hops high off the ground and times balls well. She also has a nice soft spike that dives to the ground quickly.</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":693867,"_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-66f4eb5030fa8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wolf has turned into a reliable hitter for the Thoroughbreds on the outside. She lands big kills when needed. Wolf hits to different parts on the go routes from her strong side. She rises high to go over and around blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484445"],"_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":"","_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-66f4eb5030ffd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reckers continues to lead the way in the back row defensively. She has a nose for where balls are going and puts herself in position to square her arms up with balls and pass them to the setters. Reckers may not reach every ball, but she gives great effort to get the ones near her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[269850],"_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":693869,"_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-66f4eb5031048"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien gives the Bearcats a strong presence on many different parts of the court. She gave Walton-Verona a chance with her hustle that led to timely kills, aces and digs. O'Brien brings good leadership to the Bearcats.</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":"Lily Vandiver","_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":"Walton-Verona","_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-66f4eb50310bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vandiver is a nice six-rotation player for the Bearcats. She has solid swings from the outside and gives great effort going after balls defensively. Vandiver also had some nice blocks in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->