Bethlehem wins battle for lead in 19th District against Bardstown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams came into the 19th District rivalry game Wednesday off district wins about 24 hour prior to it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host Bethlehem Banshees (4-4 overall, 2-0 district), however, took out Nelson County in three games while Bardstown (2-1, 1-0) had to go five games to defeat Thomas Nelson. That may have made a difference in the game as Bethlehem reeled off a 3-1 (25-15, 25-16, 21-25, 25-12) victory to take sole possession of the lead in 19th District seed play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethlehem head coach Mike Shay agreed it is important for teams to stay on an even keel, especially in district seed games. Shay said things go to a higher level in those games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We go in the locker room before we even come out and we have a great talk. They just come out with their emotions in check," Shay said. "They're physically and mentally strong. The combine that together and work together as a team. That's what gets them through these things along with fundamentals and skills. As a team, we can accomplish anything."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethlehem did a much better job with serve reception, taking full advantage of the number of solid hitters on the team. Sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='783453' first='Avery' last='Jennings'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='517977' first='Julianne' last='Heller'] did a good job making simple first touches to setters [player_tooltip player_id='752886' first='Allie' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='756992' first='Matti' last='Deopere']. From there, the two set up a number of hitters all over the net including [player_tooltip player_id='781053' first='Abby' last='Logsdon'], [player_tooltip player_id='781050' first='Kate' last='Lancaster'], [player_tooltip player_id='809496' first='Alexis' last='Lanz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='838380' first='Sloane' last='Smith'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side, Bardstown senior [player_tooltip player_id='504705' first='Kylee' last='Best'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='603870' first='Addie' last='Devers'] tried to pull everything out of hat to lift the Tigers to another big win along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='484296' first='Molly' last='Kisegy']. Others gave the Tigers good glimpses, but did not make the plays with the consistency needed to win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Mike Shay credited the serve reception and serving for both playing big roles in the win for the Banshees. Bethlehem used big runs in the first two games to pull away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They extended a 5-5 tie to a 12-5 lead with seven straight points as Deopere had an ace and [player_tooltip player_id='782755' first='Aubrey' last='Spalding'] had a big block. Jennings forced Bardstown to call a second timeout with an ace to put the Banshees up 17-9 in the first game. Bardstown trimmed the lead to 23-15 before Logsdon landed a kill and [player_tooltip player_id='800979' first='Annalyn' last='Cambron'] finished it with an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Banshees put the pedal to the medal quick in the second game going up 6-1 with six straight. Heller landed three straight aces to put Bethlehem up 11-2. The Tigers did come back and trim the margin to six at 22-16 with a [player_tooltip player_id='828005' first='Zarionha' last='Railley'] kill before Lancaster had a kill and Deopere landed another ace to put Bethlehem up 2-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the backs against the wall, Bardstown responded in the third game in a big way jumping out to an 8-3 lead. However, the Banshees came back to tie it at 12 before the Tigers slowly build the lead to three and consistently responded to big points by the hosts with one of their own. Best finished that game with a setter dump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not wanting it to go five games, Bethlehem came out in the fourth game fully executing plays to build an 8-1 lead. Up 14-7, the Banshees extended the lead further with seven straight points to pull away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bardstown hosts Bullitt East on Monday while Bethlehem hosts Campbellsville on Sept. 4.</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":["781050"],"_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":881410,"_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-68afdb358a271"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Banshees are so loaded with good hitters that different ones could lead the way in kills on any given night. This game was Lancaster's turn in that category. Lancaster came through with a number of big kills on the outside when Bethlehem needed them. Lancaster smacks balls hard to the line and the middle on the go routes. She draws attention away from other hitters as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783453"],"_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":881412,"_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-68afdb358a2dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jennings (pictured) has stepped into the libero role nicely for Bethlehem. Jennings does a good job trying to anticipate where balls are going then make quick moves to dig them up. A number of balls caromed off her arms like ping pong balls to let Bethlehem jumpstart its offense. Jennings has also developed into a sound server. Jennings said the closer first touches are to setters, the better the odds of setting up hitters for big swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781053"],"_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":881417,"_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-68afdb358a338"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Logsdon powered a number of balls through blocks for big kills in this game. She's a reliable hitter for the Banshees. Logsdon knows when to be near the net and gets in good position backing away from the net to line up and take big rips. Logsdon also helps form sound double blocks. Logsdon said the team spoke about its diversity entering the game, thus throwing a lot of things at the visiting Tigers. Logsdon added the team does not have any complaints when both the pins and middles stay near the net the entire game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["756992"],"_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":881419,"_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-68afdb358a38f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deopere came up big in a big game for Bethlehem. Deopere executes a number of long and short sets, not afraid to mix in setovers to keep defenses guessing. Deopere had a number of sound first touches and adds in an incredible jump serve. She kept Bardstown out of rhythm at key points during the game. Deopere said she and Thompson run the court quick, constantly talking to the hitters and mix things up when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752886"],"_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":881421,"_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-68afdb358a3e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson brings a different, but sound skill set to the setter spot when in the game. Thompson knows her hitters well and does what it takes to make sure balls land in their power zones. Thompson also had a key role in the Bardstown win serving darts. Thompson hit low line drive serves to perplex the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603870"],"_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":881423,"_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-68afdb358a43a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Devers did everything she could trying to lift the Tigers to another district win. Devers consistently hits balls over and around blockers successfully on the go routes. Devers made good passes and pounded balls to the lines throughout the game. Devers also made sound first touches for Bardstown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["504705"],"_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":881425,"_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-68afdb358a48f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Best's experience should pay off for Bardstown a good bit this season, especially after she gets used to some of the more inexperienced hitters. Best goes hard every play. Best sets up her hitters with a nice mix of long and short sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='781050' first='Kate' last='Lancaster'], Bethlehem - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603333' first='Alexis' last='Lanz'], Bethlehem - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781046' first='Sloane' last='Smith'], Bethlehem - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781053' first='Abby' last='Logsdon'], Bethlehem - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603870' first='Addie' last='Devers'], Bardstown - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='752886' first='Allie' last='Thompson'], Bethlehem - 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='504705' first='Kylee' last='Best'], Bardstown - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='756992' first='Matti' last='Deopere'], Bethlehem - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='783453' first='Avery' last='Jennings'], Bethlehem - 45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='517977' first='Julianne' last='Heller'], Bethlehem - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devers - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='782755' first='Aubrey' last='Spalding'], Bethlehem - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rachel Smith, Bardstown - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deopere - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heller - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jennings - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='800979' first='Annalyn' last='Cambron'], Bethlehem - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devers - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and a half and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->