North Oldham takes back 8th Region title

<!-- 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>Region crowns have to be earned every year, but it seems like a number of regions have those one or two teams that are in the hunt on a yearly basis and take full advantage of the psychological advantages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 8th Region is a prime example. Ever since the current format came about in 2012, the North Oldham has been in the region championship game all but two times and won it 10 times. The Mustangs (28-9) earned that 10th crown with a 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-20) win over the Simon Kenton Pioneers (30-6) on Thursday at Eminence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Oldham hits the road to face Dominant Five member Mercy (25-14) on Monday for a 7 p.m. The Jaguars have won all 11 meetings between the two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only two times during this run that North Oldham did not make it to the region title game came last year and in 2021 when the Pioneers eliminated the Mustangs in the region semifinals. North Oldham junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] said the team used last year's semifinal game that saw the Mustangs lead 13-8 in the fifth game only to lose 15-13 as motivation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baxter and her younger sister Berkeley Baxter played their parts in bringing back the region title. They controlled the net well putting balls down a number of ways and contributing well with blocking. During the regular season 3-1 loss (7-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-19) on Sept. 3 at Simon Kenton, North Oldham head coach Brian Jones said the team did not block enough balls. That changed in this battle as the Mustangs swatted down eight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton did get them out of rhythm during that regular season, but that was not the case in this game. Campbell Floyd and Josie Scales had good games digging up balls and the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='706522' first='Vita' last='Sensenbrenner'] and freshman lefty [player_tooltip player_id='484260' first='Lilah' last='Anthony'] put down assists from Berkeley Baxter and [player_tooltip player_id='477099' first='Lucy' last='Proud']. Junior defensive specialist Madison Conrad added some big aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers still set a school record for most wins in a season and made it to the region championship for a third time in four years. [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='159349' first='Keira' last='Hans'] had more nice game offensively. The Pioneers just could not go on those big runs to win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game proved to be the closest. Tied at 24, [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] and Scales landed kills to give the the Mustangs the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton graduates seven seniors from the successful senior class. They are Hans, [player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'], Madeline Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='622369' first='Gracie' last='Meyer'], Sarah Meyer, Aleayah Russ and Ceanna Scalf.</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='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'], North Oldham - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'], Simon Kenton - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='706522' first='Vita' last='Sensenbrenner'], North Oldham - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484260' first='Lilah' last='Anthony'], North Oldham - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='159349' first='Keira' last='Hans'], Simon Kenton - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ceanna Scalf, Simon Kenton - 28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477099' first='Lucy' last='Proud'], North Oldham - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkeley Baxter, North Oldham - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell Floyd, North Oldham - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josie Scales, North Oldham - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitchens - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chasteen - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkeley Baxter - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hans - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison Conrad, North Oldham - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chasteen - 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":714196,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Campbell Floyd","_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":"5'4u0022","_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":"North Oldham","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Union","_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-67258401ada94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Floyd patrolled the floor well and made some unbelievable digs including one that landed on the other side surprising the Pioneers. Floyd simply does not give up on balls and is a good leader with her play on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212386"],"_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":714198,"_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-67258401adb19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baxter (pictured) stood tall at the net and made a huge difference. She doubled up with teammates to make key blocks during the game. Baxter describes herself as a competitive player and she showed it coming through in the big game. Baxter credited her sister and Proud for bringing different attributes to the position and making herself look and the other hitters look good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477099"],"_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":714200,"_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-67258401adb6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Proud (pictured) does a great job connecting with her teammates on a daily basis. Proud sets from different parts of the court to both the pins and the middle with a variety of sets. Proud said the team has been working on the mental part of the game since the preseason and that came in handy in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484260"],"_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-67258401adbad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony plays for a high-level club team and it shows. She puts balls down at different angles using her left hand. She also times blocks well. Anthony said the setters put balls where they're needed and take coaching from the hitters and apply it well.</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":714201,"_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-67258401adbf5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hans had another good game for the Pioneers. Hans knows how to space herself near the net and place balls where needed. She is a quiet competitor. Hans played a big role in leading the Pioneers to three region championship games in four seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->