Simon Kenton holds off Scott in latest 3-2 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>When both teams come out firing on all cylinders making every adjustment possible to win, it leads to an incredible game, especially in county rivalry games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the third straight meeting, the host Simon Kenton Pioneers and Scott Eagles stood toe-to-toe with one another and it took the maximum five sets to decide it. The Pioneers (23-5) won again by 23-25, 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13, but this fifth game turned out to be the closest of those three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton has won the last eight meetings between the two. The last Scott win over Simon Kenton came 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-25) on Sept. 21, 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams had their fair share of spectacular digs and kills. Simon Kenton just made a few more plays to win the game, especially at the net. The Pioneers did enjoy a height advantage with the two six-footers [player_tooltip player_id='159349' first='Keira' last='Hans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'] in addition to the 5-10 Madeline Johnson, but Scott moved the ball around trying to negate that. Johnson and Hans had some big blocks and sophomore Taylor Jones even joined the action with two kills in the fourth game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started with libero [player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'] on first contacts along with Hans and [player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer']. Simon Kenton head coach Amy Marx said the team used a different starting lineup all five games. The Pioneers like to run a 6-2 set, but ultimately settled into a 5-1 with CeCe Scalf setting. Sarah Meyer also did some setting to start the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott (17-11) has received consistent play from hitters [player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'], [player_tooltip player_id='477092' first='Brooklyn' last='Helm'] and [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby']. Even [player_tooltip player_id='586647' first='Jaeda' last='Menfee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'] had some big kills and blocks in this game. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='477094' first='Elise' last='Manhardt'] set the tone defensively and setter [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] did another good job running the Scott 5-1 offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott scored three straight to go up 10-6 in the first game. It ultimately became 16-9 before Simon Kenton made things interesting. Up 23-20, Simon Kenton tied it at 23 on two Kitchens kills and a Scalf ace. However, the Eagles responded with a Justice block and Simon Kenton hit the ball in the net to end the first game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers responded in the second game. They led 19-10 at one point as Kitchens and [player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer'] landed two aces each. Kitchens landed a tip kill to finish off that game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third game before Simon Kenton rallied and grabbed a 14-5 lead as Kitchens tried to take over. However, the Eagles scored six straight to trim the margin to 14-11. Down 17-12, Scott ran off 11 in a row to go up 23-17 taking advantage of big hits and a number of Simon Kenton errors. [player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer'] landed an ace to trim the margin to 23-19 before Minor finished the game with two kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton scored the first three points of the fourth game and got into a better offensive rhythm. The Pioneers built a 20-13 lead before Scott rallied to trim the margin to 21-19. However, the Pioneers forced a fifth game with four straight points. Kitchens finished it with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton built a 5-2 lead in the fifth game after a Kitchens block forcing a Scott timeout. The Eagles rallied to tie the game at eight on a Justice tap kill. The Pioneers went back up 11-8 before Scott called timeout then scored four straight to o up 12-11. The Pioneers tied the game at 12 on a Scott hitting error before the Eagles retook the lead on a [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'] kill off blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton then ended the game scoring three straight. Kitchens tied the game at 13 on a kill before Johnson landed an ace and Hans hit the ball off blocks and out of bounds to end the game.</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='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'], Simon Kenton - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='159349' first='Keira' last='Hans'], Simon Kenton - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'], Scott - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477092' first='Brooklyn' last='Helm'], Scott - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madeline Johnson, Simon Kenton - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CeCe Scalf, Simon Kenton - 32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarah Meyer, Simon Kenton - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'], Simon Kenton - 26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477094' first='Elise' last='Manhardt'], Scott - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer'], Simon Kenton - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hans - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hans - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chasteen - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scalf - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitchens - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer'] - 3</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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":698078,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Taylor Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"Simon Kenton","_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-66fe12c558e1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones is giving the Pioneers some quality play at the net. She can take short sets and hit them to the targets in the middle. Jones also disrupted play at the net defensively with her reach. Jones said the team likes to run a quick tempo and her teammates have supported her as she's transitioned to the varsity level. Simon Kenton head coach Amy Marx said she has a .250 hitting percentage so she's talked to the setters about involving her more in the offense. Jones will make a bigger impact as her blocking form improves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["159349"],"_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":698084,"_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-66fe5dc084ef1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hans (pictured) was all over the court per usual making plays. Hans leads by example through her play. She makes solid adjustments on balls to make crisp passes or put balls down. Hans continuously makes things happen on out of system passes and spike attempts. Hans executed some critical blocks in the win as well. Hans recently recorded the 1000th kill of her career.</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":698085,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"CeCe Scalf","_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":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Simon Kenton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Club Apex","_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-66fe5dc084fc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scalf adjusts well to whatever is thrown at her. She tracks balls down well and makes good sets and has been a sound hitter for the Pioneers this season. Scalf also does a good job calling for and digging up balls. She extended her arms and made big digs in the win. Scalf set up the majority of the balls in the win.</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":698086,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Madeline Johnson","_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":"5'10u0022","_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":"Simon Kenton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Club Apex","_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-66fe5dc085076"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson's confidence on the front line grows every time she takes the court. She gives the Pioneers another offensive weapon. She smacks balls down hard in the middle. Johnson uses her height to help Simon Kenton block slow down if not block hard hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212393"],"_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":698087,"_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-66fe5dc0850e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minor continues to give the Eagles exceptional play all over the court. When Scott needs a big kill, Minor often comes through. She was especially tough from her strong left side in this game constantly finding ways around blocks. Minor is also an efficient server and passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477094"],"_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":698090,"_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-66fe5e6770109"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Manhardt's experience shows every time she takes the court. Manhardt anticipates balls and makes consistent two and three-ball passes to set up the powerful Scott offense. Manhardt does throw opponents off with her left-handed jump serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->