McNicholas at Ryle Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it was the next game on the schedule, last year's game at home against the Ryle Raiders may have been in the back of the minds of the McNicholas Rockets players and coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders came out and surprised the Rockets in a 3-0 victory last year. On Thursday, the Rockets made sure that did not happen as they came to Union, especially after both teams posted big wins Tuesday, and left with a sound 3-0 (25-21, 25-8, 25-21) victory. They ran off 17 straight points at the end of the first game then into the second game in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams are generally sound on serve reception. The Rockets just did a better job taking the Raiders out of system, especially in that second game and controlling the net. McNicholas overwhelmed Ryle with the balanced inside and outside attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I think we have a lot of seasoned players this year that are positive no matter who we're playing," said Darlene Tierney, McNicholas head coach. "Ryle is always an extremely good program so we knew coming in here, it was going to be difficult. But they stayed focused. We talked a lot about the serving and passing game. They needed to do that well this game. They came to play and I'm really proud of them."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior standout libero [player_tooltip player_id='435871' first='Ali' last='Strange'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'] led the way on first touches then setters [player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'] and Allie Runte consistently put balls on the mark. Stacey, [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='548602' first='Sarah' last='Hutchinson'] had big nights offensively for the Rockets. [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'] had a number of big blocks at the net. Schulte also played a big role keeping Ryle out of system in the second game with her serving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle tried to counter with [player_tooltip player_id='486910' first='Ria' last='Furuta'] at libero with both [player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'] setting up the hitters. Heater, [player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'] all took good swings when the Raiders did get in system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game stayed close. The Rockets led by as many as five at one point before the Raiders came back trimming the margin to one three times including 22-21. However, McNicholas closed it out then scored the first 14 points of the second game on the way to the route.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle came out firing in the third game trying to extend the match to a fourth game. The Raiders built a 6-1 lead, but McNicholas clawed back steadily. They led 23-20 when [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'] smacked home a kill. After [player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns'] landed one for Ryle, Stacey finished the game with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNicholas (2-0 overall) hosts Turpin on Saturday at Noon. The next game on the Ryle (1-1) calendar is Tuesday at Boone County.</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":879214,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Allie Runte","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"McNicholas","_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-68a8e322046be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Runte (pictured) executes a variety of sets for the Rockets including the back set. She read the net well and put her teammates in good position to put balls down. Runte executed a big gap play in the third game. Runte comes in a gives defenses different looks at the position. Runte said reversing to the opposite sides were beneficial for the Rockets with Ryle cheating on the middle and outsides with the blocking schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480835"],"_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":879205,"_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-68a8e12048bce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schulte's experience paid off in the win. Schulte had a number of big sets in the win including ones toward the net. Schulte does not lean on her sets so opponents do not know which way to block. She executes tandems well. Schulte adds in jump serves to different spots on the court with sizzle. Schulte said keeping Ryle out of system led to a lot of free balls that McNicholas took advantage of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621290"],"_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":879211,"_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-68a8e12048c27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Radtke help give the Rockets solid defense. She makes quality first touches lining her body up to balls and places jump serves to different parts of the court. Radtke also played a big role keeping Ryle out of system. Radtke also does a good job communicating on the court. Radtke said things all start with first touches, adding the offense can do the rest with little issues if that happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480823"],"_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":879202,"_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-68a8e12048b68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tierney has the size to help the Rockets control the net and excels at it. Tierney has great timing on her blocks and takes solid swings to different parts of the court. Tierney also made some nice passes. Setovers do not land on her easily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["767630"],"_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":879218,"_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-68a8e878ee454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gehring frees up [player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'] to take some swings as expected. She had some nice sets when Ryle got in system. Gehring can also take some big swings for the Raiders. She's carrying over a number of good habits from club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781286"],"_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":879220,"_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-68a8e878ee517"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burns recorded some big blocks in the loss for the Raiders. She has good form on them and has shown the potential to turn into a nice all-around players for the Raiders. Burns will get better as the season goes on.</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='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'], McNicholas - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'], McNicholas - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='548602' first='Sarah' last='Hutchinson'], McNicholas - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'], Ryle - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'], McNicholas - 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allie Runte, McNicholas - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'], Ryle - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heater - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='435871' first='Ali' last='Strange'], McNicholas - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stacey - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='486910' first='Ria' last='Furuta'], Ryle - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621290' first='Lauren' last='Radtke'], McNicholas - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tierney - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkinson - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns'], Ryle - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heater - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schulte - 4</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 -->