All “A” State Day Two Notable Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the 11th time since the full tournament format came about in 2009, the state champion came from the 9th Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, it was not a repeat winner in this case as the preseason favorite Beechwood Tigers came away with the crown. Beechwood (16-1 overall) did not lose a set going 6-0 to win the crown. The Tigers did have to beat the Holy Cross (Louisville) Tigers twice along the way including a 2-0 (25-23, 25-9) decision in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things once again started in the back with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='796736' first='Maggie' last='Dawson'] along with senior defensive specialists [player_tooltip player_id='594624' first='Kendale' last='Lair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797739' first='Piper' last='Steinmetz']. From there, junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] continued to distribute the ball well to juniors [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'], [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'], [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='397726' first='Isabel' last='Bakker']. They had to find different places to run their offense when Holy Cross (17-5) stifled the middle attack in the first game of the title game after Beechwood had a lot of success running it in the semifinals against Owensboro Catholic (13-6).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Sometimes, you're just proud of your kids in how the gel, how they come together, how they become leaders and how they just bond," Beechwood head coach Matt Long said. "It's unmatched with these kids at Beechwood. They've worked so hard. They deserve this more than anything right now. I'm just really proud of them."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross ended Knott County Central's 14-game winning streak in the championship flight quarterfinals before beating Trinity Christian out of Lexington in the semifinals. The Cougars have a sound defense led by senior Ellery Warnock along with juniors Kaylee Clemens and [player_tooltip player_id='784803' first='Kylie' last='Harrington']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] then sets up the likes of twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='846523' first='Braelynn' last='Logsdon'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eminence Warriors (14-3) played in the same Pool B with Holy Cross and Beechwood. They won the Bronze Division title with wins over Heritage Christian, Bishop Brossart then Shelby Valley. [player_tooltip player_id='484434' first='Bryce' last='Berry'], [player_tooltip player_id='750417' first='Rylee' last='Shupert'], [player_tooltip player_id='780582' first='Bailey' last='Hegg'], [player_tooltip player_id='790727' first='Lauren' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768283' first='Brooklyn' last='Smith']. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='398031' first='Marissa' last='White'] and Raegan Yenshaw set up the hitters well with junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='801369' first='Caroline' last='Kirschman'] starting up the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players stood out in the tournament that took place at the Owensboro Convention Center. It had previously been places like Elizabethtown and Eastern Kentucky University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-68c6409ae182b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dawson had a solid tournament making first contacts. The Tigers faced a number of tough hitters in the tournament, but Dawson consistently squared her body up to balls and made precise two to three-point passes. Dawson said practicing against Beechwood's strong hitters along with Coach Long and assistants hit at the defensive specialists all the time to prepare for strong hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["456668"],"_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":886104,"_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-68c6409ae18ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Estep's experience once again came in handy for the Tigers. She had to make setting adjustments going for slides and other routes after Holy Cross took away the ones Beechwood had success with against Owensboro Catholic in the semifinals. Estep executed those routes well. Estep (pictured) continues to lead the right ways. She also makes clean passes to start up the offensive attack. Estep said the Tigers had to hit away from [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] complimenting her as an amazing blocker. Estep commended the Beechwood hitters for responding to those adjustments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["456263"],"_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-68c64384783eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lewandowski was as dominant at the net as she's been all season. Lewandowski rises high above the net and forms solid double blocks. Lewandowski is just as tough on offense. Her natural athleticism lets her put balls down in the middle and the pins. Lewandowski said net plays as so important for the Tigers, noting the team has always been good at hitting balls on the net. Lewandowski said that especially helped in the first set of the championship game against Holy Cross.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["846523"],"_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-68c64760f3feb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Logsdon uses her left hand to power balls off blocks, especially n her strong side. Logsdon rises high and pounds balls through double blocks. She mixes in soft hits when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484434"],"_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-68c64760f407e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berry consistently brings great effort play after play. Berry hustles hard after balls for nice digs then quickly sets her feet to take good swings. Berry did what she could to lift Eminence to the Bronze Division championship. Berry said the faster-paced teams in the tournament prepared the Warriors well to make the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["852164"],"_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":886109,"_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-68c64760f4118"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Powell does a great job running the offense for the Aces. Powell sets up the hitters a variety of ways including back sets. Powell is a great, vocal leader for the Aces. On defense, Powell sets up sound double blocks. Powell said the win over Sayre in the Championship flight quarterfinals was Owensboro Catholic's biggest win of the season, commending her teammates for working as a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535188"],"_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":886111,"_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-68c64760f419e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barntsen contributes in every statistical category for the Spartans at all six spots on the court. She'll make a sound set on one play then take a big swing on go routes on the next play. Barntsen makes good bump and overhead passes and is a sound blocker. Barntsen makes things happen out of system. Barntsen said she tries to do whatever she can to help out the team. For example, Barntsen said she tries to be the one to take big swings if other hitters are not on that day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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 -->