Notre Dame edges Assumption in tight Dominant Five battle

<!-- 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 link to the event page: <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 ball traveled to the left side of the net for another potential kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, Notre Dame sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'] formed the solid double block and Kondik caught it with her hands and sent the ball to the floor giving the Notre Dame Pandas the tight 3-2 (15-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14) Dominant Five win over the visiting Assumption Rockets. Those two plus St. Henry, Mercy and Sacred Heart have combined to win 44 of the 45 state championships in Kentucky High School Athletic Association history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This marked the second win in 10 days for Notre Dame against Assumption. The Pandas beat the Rockets in the gold quarterfinals of the Asics Classic in Chicago on Oct. 5 on the way to the tournament championship. Assumption beat Notre Dame in the state championship last year after Notre Dame had won two of the previous three state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams had a number of players step forward and try to make enough plays to lift their team to the win. Notre Dame (25-4) saw senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'] lead the defensive effort with a number of players making solid digs including [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler']. [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] continues to use her experience to set up hitters well. [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'] hurt the Rockets from the outside with [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'], [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Portwood and Kondik putting balls away in different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started on defense for the Rockets (25-8) with defensive specialists Kirsten Simon and [player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Emily' last='Keiran'] along with promising freshman [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey']. That let setter [player_tooltip player_id='172952' first='Emilee' last='Fuller'] set balls to different hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='172951' first='Bailey' last='Blair'], [player_tooltip player_id='172950' first='Emma' last='Barnett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'] all had double-digit kill games and at least two blocks each. [player_tooltip player_id='477120' first='Janie' last='Eichberger'] had some nice kills in the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='212398' first='Ella' last='Askin'] added to that balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption came out on fire in the first game scoring the first three point and building a 6-1 lead. That lead increased to 18-9 and did not shrink below seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame responded by grabbing a 5-1 lead in the second game. The Rockets came within one a number of times before the Pandas won it. Up 23-22, Assumption served one in the net then committed a four-hit error to give it to the Pandas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final three game stayed tight. Notre Dame grabbed a 20-17 in the third game only to see Assumption rally to tie it at 22 on a Hooe block. After a long serve, Askin and Blair landed consecutive kills to put the Rockets up 24-23 before a Blair block gave the Rockets the third game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pandas were able to force a fifth game withstanding a battle in the fourth game. They built a 15-11 lead on a Dyas kill. However, the Rockets tied the game at 20 then took a 21-20 lead on an Eichberger kill. Kondik gave the Pandas the llead back at 23-22 before a long serve tied the game back up at 23 before Portwood and Tilden responded with consecutive kills to give the Pandas the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth game saw Assumption jump out to a 3-1 before Notre Dame scored four straight to go up 5-3. The Rockets tied the game at 11 then 14 before the Pandas scored the game's final two points to pull it out starting with an Assumption lift to set up Kondik's game-ending block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have one game left before the postseason. Notre Dame hosts Conner at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Assumption hosts Manual on Thursday at 7 p.m.</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>[player_tooltip player_id='172951' first='Bailey' last='Blair'], Assumption - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'], Notre Dame - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477120' first='Janie' last='Eichberger'], Assumption - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'], Assumption - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172950' first='Emma' last='Barnett'], Assumption - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Notre Dame - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'], Notre Dame - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], Notre Dame - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172952' first='Emilee' last='Fuller'], Assumption - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fuller - 47</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'], Notre Dame - 37</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'], Notre Dame - 44</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172945' first='Kristen' last='Simon'], Assumption - 31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Emily' last='Keiran'], Assumption - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grace - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnett - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hooe - 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":["210634"],"_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-670f397a56cf7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grace gave another great effort for the Pandas trying to anticpate balls and flying 100 miles per hour trying to keep plays alive. She exemplifies what it means to play the libero position and does a great job encouraging her teammates on the court. Grace also has a solid line drive that produced some key aces in the game. Grace said the Pandas came together as a team after the loss to the Ursuline Lions on Thursday and decided to play their brand of volleyball better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["507601"],"_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":706253,"_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-670f397a56d65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Portwood (pictured) is known to take smart swings and find ways to push balls through blocks for big kills. She kept swinging after her the Rockets blocked some of her spike attempts because she does not give up on plays. Portwood will try to rise higher or use another shot on the next attempt if the ball comes back to her. Portwood said staying aggressive is the key to success there. Portwood also showed how much she could play defense in this game making crisp pass after crisp pass from all six positions on the court. She did a great job anticipating balls in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210633"],"_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-670f3bdf1f046"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilden continuous to go about her business finding different ways to hit through blocks and put balls down. She played all six positions in the win making a good number of digs in the win. The righthanded Tilden surprised Assumption with a left-handed shove at one point in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477121"],"_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-670f3bdf1f098"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hostetler again made a number of quality two to three-point passes in the win. She tries to watch the hands of the hitters and go after balls, then squares up her arms to make the solid passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172951"],"_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":706262,"_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-670f406662be5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blair does what she's asked and more for the Rockets. She tries to control the net making things tough on opposing hitters. She has good timing on her blocks and a solid swing. Blair also has a nice jump serve and that threw Notre Dame out of rhythm in that first game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172945"],"_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":706263,"_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-670f406662c47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simon brings the energy every game for the Rockets. She tracks balls down a number of different ways even diving to the ground when necessary. Simon gives good net coverage and constantly gives instructions on the court. Simon even makes quality out of system sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484326"],"_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":706264,"_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-670f406662c94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hooe has a bright future for the Rockets. She has a great swing in the middle and watches the hands of opposing hitters trying to time them for quality blocks. Hooe will only continue to improve for the Rockets as she receives more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->