Scott at Beechwood Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The visiting Scott Eagles made it to the state semifinals last year and the host Beechwood Tigers have steadily moved up the rugged 9th Region ladder over the last few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long before the season opener for both teams started, both sides knew Beechwood had a size advantage with the junior 6-3 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'] and junior 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski']. The Tigers simply executed and controlled the net better in a 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-15) win over the Eagles in the season-opener for both teams. Beechwood has won five in a row in the series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood displayed good balance the whole game. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] dished the balls to the pins and the middle keeping Scott guessing. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='796736' first='Maggie' last='Dawson'] led the way on first touches to set up the attack. Estep and [player_tooltip player_id='797739' first='Piper' last='Steinmetz'] also helped there with O'Brien, Steinmetz and Estep recording at least three aces to keep Scott out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott tried to counter with the senior one-two punch of setter [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='808054' first='Milyn' last='Minor']. They made some good plays along with [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='734852' first='Jacinda' last='Campbell']. Sophomore libero Emory Sullivan had a good debut for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game started off close before Beechwood used a 4-0 run to go up for good. The Tigers led 19-9 at one point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood dominated the second game from the start scoring the game's first seven points. They led 13-3 before Scott came back to make things interesting. O'Brien ended that game with an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott made the third game more competitive for a bit before Beechwood used a 3-0 run on another O'Brien ace to go up 13-9. They led 24-14 at one point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood travels to Claryville to face another 37th District team in Campbell County on Tuesday while Scott hosts St. Henry.</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":["484442"],"_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":877739,"_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-68a403ef7a861"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien is as solid of a six-ration player as any player in the area producing all over the court. O'Brien executed on swings all over the court and made simple passes. She executed a tandem at one point in the game. O'Brien hits off blocks for big points. She kept Scott out of system with sound jump serves. Described by teammates and close ones as bubbly, selfless and strong, O'Brien is a great leader on the court and a nice person to talk to off the court. O'Brien credited Scott for being scrappy, not letting balls hit the floor easily, forcing Beechwood to work harder and be smarter with the shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827943"],"_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":877741,"_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-68a403ef7a907"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Becker celebrated her 16th birthday in a big way using her size to put balls down with extreme force. Her timing on blocks and her swings helps her control the net. Becker is a great one-on-one blocker evidence by a few kills on Minor. Becker said blocks give the Tigers momentum. She added when she does it, a surge of adrenaline runs through and she just carries her on to the next play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["796736"],"_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-68a403ef7a979"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The libero owns the back row for the Tigers. She makes sound first touches on bump passes, only diving when necessary, yet under control. Dawson flew in to make a pancake dig on one play. Dawson dug up Minor several times in the win. Dawson also had sound serving to keep Scott out of system. Dawson said first touches and serving are prioritized in practice, noting the sound passing gave them the upper hand with three hitting options on almost every set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["797739"],"_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-68a404984153a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steinmetz (pictured) also had a nice game in the back row. Her younger teammates said she communicates well and is very positive helping the younger players grow. Steinmetz also did a good job serving aggressively to keep Scott out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500587"],"_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":877758,"_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-68a408e68d3cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grigsby hustled every play doing what she could to help the Eagles win. She's more precise on her sets this year, especially to Minor. Grigsby added in some timely tips to give the Eagles points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877753"],"_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-68a408e68d423"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sullivan had some nice moments under duress in her first varsity start. She handled some hard hit balls including some from O'Brien and made good out of system passes. She'll be more effective passer with work on her ball control. Sullivan recorded some tough serves in the loss.</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='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'], Beechwood - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'], Beechwood - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='397726' first='Isabel' last='Bakker'], Beechwood - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808054' first='Milyn' last='Minor'], Scott - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], Scott - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'], Beechwood - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'], Beechwood - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'], Beechwood - 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796736' first='Maggie' last='Dawson'], Beechwood - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estep - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emory Sullivan, Scott - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='797739' first='Piper' last='Steinmetz'], Beechwood - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minor - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becker - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewandowski - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Brien - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steinmetz - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estep - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='795190' first='Kaleigh' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 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 -->