33rd District Rivalry Cooper at Conner Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two district rivals have battled to make it to the 9th Region Tournament in the 33rd District semifinals with a split in the series. The Cooper Jaguars won that battle two out of three times last year including the district tournament semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Conner Cougars came out laser focused and flipped the script back in their favor with a sound 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-15) victory. Conner (9-4 overall, 1-1 district) has won seven in a row including all five games Friday and Saturday to win the Cake Classic at Highlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='602465' first='Annika' last='Berwanger'], junior setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'] and sophomore 6-2 multi-talented outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'] have led as expected. However, a number of other players such as junior outside hitter/right side hitter Aurora Sandfoss, sophomore defensive specialist Addy Back, freshman middle blocker Rhys Everett and senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='842238' first='Chrissy' last='Minter'] have risen up to help out. Sophomore setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='782751' first='Alexis' last='Kampsen'] and junior libero Makena Marks rose up in the home win Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I definitely think that's one of the most talented teams that I've ever had, but I want to give them even more credit, rather than just focus," Conner head coach Douglas Rabe said. "They really have bonded. They support each other. They absolutely are playing so much more like this is a team. Everybody is going to make a mistake here and there. But we've got to be the ones to come together. It's in our hands at the end of the day."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koerber, Marks, Berwanger and Kampsen had at least three aces each to consistently keep Cooper out of system. Marks also had a nice game with first touches. Koerber and Kampsen then dished balls out nicely to with Patton, Berwanger and Koerber leading in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars used big runs in each set to pull away. Cooper held the lead briefly just twice early in both the second and third sets. Conversely, Rabe said the Cougars try to do what they can to prevent runs. [player_tooltip player_id='771300' first='Gisele' last='Slayback'] had some nice hits and blocks for the Jaguars with [player_tooltip player_id='845962' first='Maya' last='Schwartz'] also taking some nice swings, but no one else put up notable numbers for the Jaguars (5-7, 1-2), who struggled to get into an offensive rhythm all evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conner travels to Holy Cross (Covington) on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. battle. Cooper plays in the Thoroughbred Smash on Friday and Saturday at Lafayette.</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":["579836"],"_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":886917,"_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-68ca257f2607f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patton learned some lessons from the first meeting against Highlands after the Bluebirds took her line hits away. Patton has been mixing things up better pounding balls to different parts of the court including crosses. Patton even had several hits from the back row on pipe plays with pristine accuracy. Patton also hustles hard on defense. Patton said the Cougars rely on everyone and her teammates trust her to put balls away no matter what so they continue to set her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602465"],"_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":886929,"_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-68ca257f260e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berwanger owned the net in the win consistently batting down overpassed balls and making a lot of things happen on the ones. Berwanger forms solid double blocks using her size well. Berwanger is also joyful on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484447"],"_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":886933,"_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-68ca2b18d3405"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koerber hit her 500th career assist in the win distributing balls well all game to different parts on the floor. Koerber connects with Berwanger on a good forward set. Koerber also takes accurate swings on the right side, making good mid-air adjustments. Koerber agreed versatility gives opponents more to consider.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782751"],"_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":886936,"_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-68ca2b18d345b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kampsen made contributions at setter and on the right side complementing Koerber well. Kampsen is also in sync with the hitters allowing Koerber to take quality swings. Kampsen brings in different looks to the positions. The coaching staff has also taken advantage of her versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":886940,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Makenna Marks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Conner","_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-68ca2b18d34f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marks (pictured) made a number of good first contacts throughout the game. Marks handled a number of crosses in the Conner win, moving her feet well and beating balls to their spots. She also had some quality serves to keep Cooper out of system. Marks said serving is a huge emphasis from the coaching staff so she focused on hitting balls to the struggling passers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771300"],"_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":886946,"_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-68ca2c4145d63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slayback did turn away some balls at the net with sound double teams. She had a good club season putting balls down and continues to do that for the Jaguars. Slayback will continue to find different ways to put balls down, especially if Cooper develops more of a consistent offensive rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'], Conner - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='602465' first='Annika' last='Berwanger'], Conner - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='771300' first='Gisele' last='Slayback'], Cooper - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'], Conner - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='845962' first='Maya' last='Schwartz'], Cooper - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koerber - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='782751' first='Alexis' last='Kampsen'], Conner - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Makenna Marks, Conner - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patton - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kampsen - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koerber - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marks - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berwanger - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kampsen - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slayback - 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 -->