Villa Madonna handles Dixie Heights in district semifinal preview

<!-- 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 bigger of the two meetings may be eight days apart, but this game served as important from the standpoint of confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host Villa Madonna Vikings (21-16) came into the game favored to win the battle for the second seed in the 34th District Tournament, but had to prove it, especially after the Vikings had beaten the Dixie Heights Colonels (10-16) just once in the last 13 meetings. That win came last year during the regular season by a 3-2 score (22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 11-25, 15-13) only to see Dixie Heights win the rematch in the district semifinals just six days later in a 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-23) route. Villa Madonna last beat Dixie Heights in the district semifinals on Oct. 21, 2015.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villa Madonna enters the postseason with that confidence after a convincing 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-19) win. The Vikings recorded long runs in the first two games to pull away and did it again later in the third game. [player_tooltip player_id='612251' first='Mary' last='Chadwick'] ended the match with an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings got into a better rhythm. The top eight players came in and had at least one dig. Catherine Gifford and Rebecca Raziano had great games on senior night along with the third senior in [player_tooltip player_id='210638' first='Maya' last='Kondik']. Anna Raziano, [player_tooltip player_id='248435' first='Victoria' last='Sebald'], Madelyn Carmen and even [player_tooltip player_id='612251' first='Mary' last='Chadwick'] had key saves to let Gifford and Rebecca Raziano set up the hitters. Kondik and eighth grader Ellie Breitling controlled the net setting the tone for the balanced Vikings offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixie Heights hurt the chances with more runs of unforced errors. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='590128' first='Hannah' last='Wilson'] did what she could to save games and [player_tooltip player_id='486903' first='Addy' last='Birk'] had a nice game offensively. Others such as [player_tooltip player_id='603784' first='Madison' last='Offner'] and even Delaney Murphy had some good moments, but not enough to prolong the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villa Madonna's regular season is over, but Dixie Heights had two games left to fix some things. The Colonels host Simon Kenton on Tuesday then go to Holy Cross on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addy Bird, Dixie Heights - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210638' first='Maya' last='Kondik'], Villa Madonna - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellie Breitling, Villa Madonna - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey McQuinlen, Dixie Heights - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603784' first='Madison' last='Offner'], Dixie Heights - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catherine Gifford, Villa Madonna - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='771865' first='Maddie' last='Kelly'], Dixie Heights - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebecca Raziano, Villa Madonna - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riley Byrne, Dixie Heights - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gifford - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='590128' first='Hannah' last='Wilson'], Dixie Heights - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebecca Raziano - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna Raziano, Villa Madonna - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248435' first='Victoria' last='Sebald'], Villa Madonna - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madelyn Carman, Villa Madonna - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebecca Raziano - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sebald - 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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":705762,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rebecca Raziano","_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":"Villa Madonna","_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-670dddc90751b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Raziano had the best all-around game for the Vikings contributing in most every category. She transitions from defense to offense quickly. She had some nice short serves to put the first game away. She hustles on defense and helps put balls away offensively on assists and kills. Raziano said she took pride in helping make sure things stayed organized in practice and before games. That included staying in the same routine.</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":705763,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Catherine Gifford","_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":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Villa Madonna","_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-670dddc90769b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gifford does a great job setting her feet to make solid sets and makes things happen on out of system hits. Gifford also did a great job anticipating where balls were going and make good first contact. Gifford said setting her feet helps with momentum and helps her make sure she does not double hit balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210638"],"_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":705764,"_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-670dddc907744"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kondik (pictured) is a true team leader for the Vikings consistently controlling the net. She reads things at the net then takes solid swings. Kondik smacks down overpassed balls. Kondik said staying on her toes has helped her throughout her time at Villa Madonna. Kondik said she tries to see the action in front of her and react quick. Her blocking presence forced some Dixie Heights errors.</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":705768,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ellie Breitling","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_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":"Villa Madonna","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club']","_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-670ddf0596e06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Breitling is one of the most promising eighth graders in northern Kentucky. Kentucky allows eighth graders to play varsity in every sport except football and soccer and Breitling is taking advantage of the opportunity. She provides a great net presence. She can rise up high above the net and put balls down. Breitling said playing varsity has helped her learn to play at a faster pace.</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":705773,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anna Raziano","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Villa Madonna","_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-670de02f8cd3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Raziano is learning some great habits from the upperclassmen, especially her older sister. Raziano does a great job reading hitters and reacting to where the ball is going. She made a big diving save in the win. Raziano said reading the hands of hitters has helped her out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590128"],"_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-670de0be908b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson does everything she can to keep plays alive for the Colonels. Dixie Heights head coach Julie Kelly praised Wilson for busting her tail in the loss. She squares her arms up with balls to make good passes and tries to keep teammates calm after mistakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->