Bourbon County outlasts Montgomery County in thriller

<!-- 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 teams laid everything they had out there knowing control of the 40th District Tournament top seed was on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was only fitting the game went a full five sets to determine a winner with the Bourbon County Colonels coming out with the 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 14-25, 15-7) win over the host Montgomery County Indians. Bourbon County (14-8 overall) took over sole possession of the top seed in district play at 3-1 after completing the season sweep of the Indians (17-7). The Colonels have two district seed games left against in-town rival Paris (12-9).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County dropped to 1-2 in league play. George Rogers Clark (12-7) is 3-2 in league play with one game against the Indians remaining on Thursday and Paris is 0-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams made their share of big plays and mistakes. It came down to which team could execute better and Bourbon County did it, especially in that fifth game after staying on defense primarily in the fourth game as head coach Lauren Eads pointed out after the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started in the back with [player_tooltip player_id='586544' first='Rylee' last='Barnes'], [player_tooltip player_id='588579' first='Maci' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='756233' first='Marleigh' last='Estes'] making incredible passes. Some hits landed a time or two, but the Colonels did well making the adjustments to keep balls alive. Brown then put a lot of passes on target with [player_tooltip player_id='734344' first='Jenna' last='Fallis'], Sarah Wells and Estes making a number of big kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eads said the team has been working on a new lineup with senior [player_tooltip player_id='587442' first='Ava' last='Kemper'] out for a few more weeks with an injury. Juniors Macey McKinzie and Regan Ring came off the bench and helped carry the offensive load. The 6-0 Ring made some big blocks in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians also ran a 5-1 and their leaders [player_tooltip player_id='477089' first='Sara' last='Zink'], [player_tooltip player_id='594516' first='Alexis' last='White'] and sophomore setter Sophie Fouch made a number of plays along with [player_tooltip player_id='755626' first='Erin' last='Fawns']. Montgomery County will continue to grow from experiences like this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game saw Bourbon County come out strong building a 16-12 lead. The Colonels led 23-22 before Fawns tied the game on a kill and two Colonel hitting errors gave the Indians the first game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County started the second game strong up 3-1 before the Indians went on a nice run to go up 11-5. The Colonels did not quit though and came back using a 6-0 run to turn a 15-12 deficit into an 18-15 lead. The second game ended on a Montgomery County net violation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third game went back and fourth. Bourbon County took a 4-1 lead before Montgomery County rallied. Tied at 23, Montgomery County hit one long and Wells finished it with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Needing to force a fifth game to win, the Indians came out with fire and took control. The Indians built a 20-6 before the Colonels made things somewhat interesting. The Indians forced that fifth game on a Colonel long hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels responded in that fifth game with great net play scoring four straight to go up 4-1 on kills by Estes, Wells, Fallis and McKinzie. The Indians came within three point three times after that, but came no closer. Estes finished the game with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unofficial Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='734344' first='Jenna' last='Fallis'], Bourbon County - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477089' first='Sara' last='Zink'], Montgomery County - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='594516' first='Alexis' last='White'], Montgomery County - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarah Wells, Bourbon County - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macey McKinzie, Bourbon County - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='756233' first='Marleigh' last='Estes'], Bourbon County - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755626' first='Erin' last='Fawns'], Montgomery County - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regan Ring, Bourbon County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603805' first='Baylee' last='Warner'], Montgomery County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='588579' first='Maci' last='Brown'], Bourbon County - 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophie Fouch, Montgomery County - 36</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='586544' first='Rylee' last='Barnes'], Bourbon County - 33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zink - 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estes - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fawns - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fallis - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fouch - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estes - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tia Terpening, Montgomery County - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wells - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ring - 2</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":["586544"],"_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":697121,"_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-66fbd998eb22c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes is as sound of a libero as anyone in the 10th Region. She's always around the ball trying to keep it alive. Barnes said growing up being competitive on the court has helped her develop that hustle mentality. The Centre College commit wants her play to inspire others to go after balls. Barnes is also a great teammate constantly encouraging her teammates on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["756233"],"_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-66fbe24926368"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Estes continually made big plays for the Colonels. Estes made a number of big digs and had some critical kills, especially from the back row to help lift the Colonels to the win. Estes is also a cheerleader and runs track and field for the Colonels - winning the Class 2A 300 hurdle individual state championship last spring. Estes said playing those other sports has helped her endurance in games like this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["588579"],"_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":697125,"_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-66fbe249263cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown possesses good footwork and form on her sets, constantly moving to great position to drive the ball to the target. Brown makes great adjustments on balls and takes full advantage of the number of consistent hitters in Bourbon County's 5-1 offense. Brown also hustled to a number of balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734344"],"_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-66fbe24926445"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fallis had a big game when the Colonels needed her the most. She did a good job figuring out Montgomery County's hitting tendencies and taking them away then came through with clutch kill after clutch kill offensively. Fallis does a good job reading defenses then placing balls where they need to go, including tip kills.</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":697127,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sarah Wells","_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":"5'11u0022","_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":"Bourbon County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Alpha Performance","_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-66fbe249264b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wells tries to take advantage of her size in the middle to control the net. She goes up strong on blocks and gets hands on many balls. Wells works well with other blockers to form double blocks. Wells also gives the Colonels another option at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477089"],"_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":697128,"_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-66fbe24926502"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zink is a great all-around athlete for the Indians. She hustles all the time trying to make winning play after winning play for the Indians. She had a number of sliding digs and incredible kills in the game. Zink does not hesitate to tip over double blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594516"],"_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":697129,"_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-66fbe24926547"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White is the leading hitter for the Indians for a reason. White goes up strong and puts a lot of power into her swings. White is especially tough on go routes from the strong left side of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->