Grant County at Walton-Verona Takeaways

This game has been more about confidence than anything as the Grant County Braves and Walton-Verona Bearcats have met in the 32nd District semifinals with their seasons on the line the previous two seasons.   Grant County came to Walton and left with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-22) district seed win for a seventh straight win in the series. The Braves did capitalize on some Walton-Verona service errors with 11 aces. However, the main issue this game came down to offensive execution. Both setters in Grant County junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='535203' first='Olivia' last='Ginn'] and Walton-Verona freshman Olivia Simpkins put a number of balls on target. The Braves executed them better with 38 kills to 15 for the hosts. Walton-Verona head coach Katelyn Sallee noted more hitting errors than kills generally does not win teams games.   Walton-Verona did jump out to 4-2 leads in the first and third sets. However, the Braves quickly took the momentum in both and pulled away in front of a good crowd   "It's very gratifying to have them close out sets because what I told them was to keep their feet on the gas and don't let up because if you let someone out, you give them the momentum," Grant County head coach Stephanie Russell said. "In basketball, they'll tell you it's a game of runs. Volleyball is a game of runs as well. It's like you get a run of points and then you let up and let them get a run of points and if they catch up, they're going to get the confidence and you're going to get in a hole. That's where I say it's 75 percent mental, 25 percent skill because if you get in your head, it doesn't matter how good you are. You can lose so you have to keep them in that mental good state, so I was very proud of them."   Grant County (11-6 overall, 2-0 district) saw senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'] dominate the net with [player_tooltip player_id='697458' first='Rylee' last='Akers'] and Mallie Bates also chipping in on the act. Sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='889601' first='Jayden' last='Kelly'], Ginn and Akers led the team with digs. On the other side, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='889588' first='Ashlan' last='Emerson'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'] made some nice swings for the Bearcats (7-8, 1-1), especially when in system.   Grant County plays in a tournament at Henry County on Saturday and Walton-Verona host Newport on Wednesday.   Notable Performances    Kelly (pictured) has stepped in a made a huge difference for the Braves at the libero spot. She sets up well behind the blockers and makes sound first touches. Kelly made some diving saves that ultimately led to big points. Kelly also showed she can make quality out of system passes. Kelly said quality first passes are important in terms of commitment to the team because they allow the Braves to take the solid hits they've taken this year.     Emerson has a bright future for the Bearcats. Emerson took a number of good rips from the outside. She reads blockers well knowing when to go down the line or hit crosses. Emerson also had some big blocks in the loss.     Russell worked on diversifying her attacks in the spring and it paid off in this game. Russell pounds balls from both sides and the back row. The Braves can count on her to make big kills when they need them. When Russell saw double blocks, she pulled up mid-air and tipped balls over them for big kills. Russell is also a smooth passer. Russell said she likes to mix hits up to keep opponents guessing and not let them shut her down.     Ginn does a great job setting up hitters at the highest spots in their jumps so they can hit over and around blockers. She adds in a sound jump serve. Ginn has been the starting point guard on Grant County's basketball team the past few seasons and she agreed their are similarities between the two positions. Ginn said knowing the strengths and weaknesses of teammates plays a role in when to set the right hitter is a key there.     Akers has taken more swings offensively this season. She's been able to make an impact because she played outside hitter during club season. Akers has great control on her swings. Akers continues to keep teams out of system with her serving. Akers said playing outside in club helps her know when to take different cuts based on the defense.    Stat Leaders   Kills   [player_tooltip player_id='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'], Grant County - 20   [player_tooltip player_id='697458' first='Rylee' last='Akers'], Grant County - 10   [player_tooltip player_id='889588' first='Ashlan' last='Emerson'], Walton-Verona - 6   Mallie Bates, Grant County - 5   [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'], Walton-Verona - 5   Assists   [player_tooltip player_id='535203' first='Olivia' last='Ginn'], Grant County - 32   Olivia Simpkins, Walton-Verona - 14   Digs   [player_tooltip player_id='889601' first='Jayden' last='Kelly'], Grant County - 10   Ginn - 10   Reece Floyd, Walton-Verona - 7   Simpkins - 6   Aces   Bates - 6   Ginn - 2   Akers - 2   McIntosh - 2   Laken Fugate, Walton-Verona - 2   Blocks   Kennedy Ward, Walton-Verona - 2   Note from the Writer   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. 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This game has been more about confidence than anything as the Grant County Braves and Walton-Verona Bearcats have met in the 32nd District semifinals with their seasons on the line the previous two seasons.