Notre Dame withstands Ryle in crucial 9th Region 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>When the coaches for the 10-time state champion Notre Dame Pandas say the rest of the region keeps them on their toes because a number of them also play club ball outside of high school season, it is not coach speak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one team that's done that in northern Kentucky outside of St. Henry has been the Ryle Raiders. When the two met in Union on Wednesday, Notre Dame (25-2 overall) came in knowing fully the Raiders (20-5) also had a win over Assumption earlier in the season in what was the first game for the Pandas since Saturday when they won the Asics Challenge in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game stayed tight for the most part as [player_tooltip player_id='210710' first='Lucy' last='Trapp'] had some nice kills before the Pandas pulled away for the 25-20 win. However, the Pandas cruised to 25-17, 25-14 in the next two games to take the fifth straight win in the series dating back to the lone Raiders win over the Pandas in school history on Oct. 12, 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] was on target all game leading the balanced 5-1 offense. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] had a good all-around game contributing in every category except assists. [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'] pounded ball after ball from the strong left side with [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'] making things happen in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] received some varsity action late in the third game. [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'] made a number of amazing digs per usual and [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'] had her moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larkins normally splits time at the setter with senior [player_tooltip player_id='269766' first='Lauren' last='Ott'], but Ott is currently out nursing a left sprained ankle. Ott said she's hoping to return soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle tried to counter with the likes of Trapp and Layna Wilkinson. The Raiders could not keep up with Notre Dame attack after the first game. It did not help that Trapp had to leave after the first game with an injury. Promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535265' first='Rachel' last='King'] is already out for the season with an injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame continues the week with a huge battle against the Ursuline Lions (15-6) in Park Hills on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Ryle does not play again until Tuesday against St. Henry.</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='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'], Notre Dame - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], Notre Dame - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253871' first='Karsyn' last='Griffin'], Ryle - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'], Notre Dame - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Notre Dame - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Layna Wilkinson, Ryle - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heater - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'], Notre Dame - 38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'], Ryle - 22</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 - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'], Ryle - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larkins - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 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":["484250"],"_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":702572,"_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-670746a4b980a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kondik (pictured) is really finding her groove in the Pandas potent offense. She tries to contribute in every statistical category and did so in all but assists in the win. She is a fundamentally sound passer and hitter. She has a sound follow-through at the net and can find the middle of the floor with soft touches from the pins. Kondik also tries to better balls on serves and it paid off in this game. Kondik said it is important to find ways to improve because plays like that carry over to other games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379687"],"_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":702574,"_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-670746a4b9895"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Larkins was as dialed in and focused as ever in this game, knowing she'd make the majority of the second hits in this game with fellow setter [player_tooltip player_id='269766' first='Lauren' last='Ott'] injured, but rose up to the challenge. She does a great job listening to her teammates and setting balls where she is they direct her. Larkins is in her third season on varsity and that experience shows as she does not get rattled. Larkins has added some setter dumps giving opponents an extra things to prepare for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":702577,"_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-670746a4b98e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grace masters first passes day in and day out and her teammates follow the good example. She continues to give maximum effort going after balls and makes things happen setting balls when the Pandas are out of system.</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":702578,"_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-670746a4b993a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Pandas like having three hitting options and Portwood adds to that depth. She smacked down a number of balls from the strong left pin. Portwood can take things off hits delivering soft touches to the middle and other places.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212347"],"_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-670746a4b997d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heater does everything she can trying to propel the Raiders to victory every time she takes the court. She especially tried to pick things up in this game. Heater tries to distribute balls to different teammates to keep teams guessing. She even uses her height to alter spikes if not block them at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->