Ursuline at Bishop Watterson Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ursuline Lions and Bishop Watterson Eagles have met on yearly basis in either Cincinnati or Columbus since 2014.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They've opened with each other each time during the regular season since 2015 and even met in the state semifinals in 2022 and 2024. Yet, the same trend continued Saturday. Ursuline maintained its dominance with a 14th win in 14 meetings with a 3-1 (25-19, 29-31, 25-17, 25-15) victory in Columbus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We showed some grit there," Ursuline head coach Ali Butcher said. "We were back and forth there in the second set, but we're still young and learning in a lot of different ways so we're just talking about how do we get back in the gym, clean that up and prepare for the long journey ahead of us."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University of Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='434971' first='Jillian' last='Forrest'] dominated from the pins and middle the entire game unsurprisingly as new Ursuline starting setter [player_tooltip player_id='582202' first='Kelsey' last='Green'] consistently hit the hot spots. It was a matter of which hitters would emerge to give the Lions the balance they've enjoyed over the years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight different Ursuline players recorded kills. Specifically, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='534194' first='Willow' last='Smith'] followed up a nice club season with a good performance and senior [player_tooltip player_id='412615' first='Anna' last='Beerman'] had some nice kills and big digs. Another nice boost came from senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='807538' first='Valeria' last='Diaz-Betancur']. She had some nice crosses and other sound kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team struggled a huge amount with serve reception, but both teams missed some serves. Ursuline had 13 service errors and Watterson had 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five players hit double digits in digs for the Lions. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='492656' first='Mackenzie' last='Higgins'] moved into the libero spot and led the way with senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='758025' first='Madison' last='Moine'] also making sound, routine two to three-point passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles tried to counter with balance. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='412608' first='Ashley' last='Moreland'] put together a nice game defensively along with senior outside hitter and Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id='227803' first='Layla' last='Hoying'], who did not take any swings as the result of a sprained ankle. Two sophomore hitters in outside/middle [player_tooltip player_id='793158' first='Jana' last='Eglitis'] and outside [player_tooltip player_id='721314' first='Maddie' last='Lane'] tried to pick up the slack hitting taking nice sets from Watterson's two setters in senior Ava Picken and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='789018' first='Maeve' last='Boyle']. However, they could not keep up with the Lions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butcher said Hoying's injury played a big part of it changing both game plans and hopes she does get healthy should the two meet in the postseason. However, Butcher noted Eglitis was a challenge the Lions had to make adjustments on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ursuline jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first game before Watterson trimmed the margin to 12-10 before the Lions reeled off four in a row finished by a Beerman kill to go up 16-10. The Eagles cut the lead to four several times before the Lions won.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles came out hard in the second game scoring the first four points. The Lions rallied to tie it twice before the Eagles built a 19-15 lead off a [player_tooltip player_id='806130' first='Kelsey' last='Ruhe'] block. The Lions scored four in a row to tie it at 19. The game went back and forth with both teams having a number of chances to win it. Watterson did when Moreland served an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third game stayed tight for a while. Ursuline led 18-16 before going on a 6-0 run to go up 24-16. Watterson ended the run before Forrest put down a kill to give the Lions a 2-1 advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth game also started tight before Ursuline stretched an 11-10 lead to 18-10 with seven in a row. Green landed an ace during the run. The Lions led 23-15 before sophomore right side hitter Annamarie Rajavarma and Smith landed kills to end the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ursuline travels to McNicholas on Tuesday while Watterson hosts Grove City.</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":["582202"],"_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":877250,"_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-68a2458aa1be6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green had a solid club season setting up different hitters and had no problems stepping into the important quarterback role for the Lions and delivering balls on target. She moves her feet well and sets them up seconds before balls arrive to put up quality sets. Green makes the most of out of system plays. Green also had a good passing and landed some key aces for the Lions. Green said it is huge to be smart with sets, mixing things up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412615"],"_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-68a2458aa1c45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beerman had some clutch kills in the third game to allow the Lions to pull away. She did a good job mixing in soft and hard kills to keep the Eagles guessing. Defensively, she made a lot of routine passes to set up the Ursuline attack. Beerman said the Lions responded to the pressure after the second set, figuring things out after the huddle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["534194"],"_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":877253,"_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-68a2458aa1ca2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith came out in a huge way pounding her way into double figures. Smith especially did an outstanding job on the crosses. Smith produces from the middle and the pins making for a tough matchup. Smith used her size to help the Lions control the net landing some key blocks. Playing on a fast-paced club team has paid dividends for the sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807538"],"_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-68a24b076337b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not playing club ball in the spring sometimes hurts people, but that is not the case with Diaz-Betancur, who coached an 11s team in the spring. Diaz-Betancur (pictured) added to the potent balance coming up big when the Lions needed a big kill. Diaz-Betancur is one of many reasons it is hard to double block this team. She hurt Watterson on the outside many ways and also did a nice job anticipating balls then making sound first touches. Diaz-Betancur said the team focuses on unity and she's happy to do her part in that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412608"],"_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-68a24cff5b902"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moreland did what she could trying to anticipate where balls were headed and beat them to the spots on the floor. She had some nice digs to keep plays alive. Moreland switched out of the libero jersey later in the game and took some nice swings from the outside. Her versatility should be an asset to the Eagles as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["793158"],"_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-68a24daf8e453"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eglitis has a bright future ahead of her for the Eagles. Elitis takes sound swings from both the pins and the middle. She made things happen against a strong defense. Eglitis also uses her size well to time up blocks.</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='434971' first='Jillian' last='Forrest'], Ursuline - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='793158' first='Jana' last='Eglitis'], Bishop Watterson - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='534194' first='Willow' last='Smith'], Ursuline - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='721314' first='Maddie' last='Lane'], Bishop Watterson - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='807538' first='Valeria' last='Diaz-Betancur'], Ursuline - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='412615' first='Anna' last='Beerman'], Ursuline - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='582202' first='Kelsey' last='Green'], Ursuline - 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Picken, Bishop Watterson - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='789018' first='Maeve' last='Boyle'], Bishop Watterson - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='412608' first='Ashley' last='Moreland'], Bishop Watterson - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='492656' first='Mackenzie' last='Higgins'], Ursuline - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='758025' first='Madison' last='Moine'], Ursuline - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diaz-Betencur - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='227803' first='Layla' last='Hoying'], Bishop Watterson - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beerman - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lane - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrest - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beerman - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='806130' first='Kelsey' last='Ruhe'], Bishop Watterson - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Molly Johnson, Bishop Watterson - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson - 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 -->