Dixie Heights at Cooper Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team has had an ideal regular season. However, games like this often help build some momentum going into the postseason. The host Cooper Jaguars gained some of that with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18) 9th Region victory over the Dixie Heights Colonels, holding a ceremony to commemorate their six seniors before the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper enjoyed nice attacks at the net from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='777996' first='Jillian' last='Puckett'], [player_tooltip player_id='751338' first='Bella' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='845962' first='Maya' last='Schwartz'], [player_tooltip player_id='771300' first='Gisele' last='Slayback'] and [player_tooltip player_id='811366' first='Ava' last='Dunn']. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='894435' first='Zoe' last='Cheek'] along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='749725' first='Violet' last='Birtcil'] helped make sound first passes to the two setters in senior [player_tooltip player_id='777995' first='Lauren' last='Franks'] and eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='894438' first='Lilli' last='Brown'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Senior Night's always really emotional," Cooper head coach Michelle Isaac said of her team getting on track. "We've kind of had that turbulent year where sometimes. we've had to get on them and get them to refocus a little bit, get out of their own heads. I'm glad we settled down and started doing the right things. We started taking charge."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixie Heights tried to counter at the net with [player_tooltip player_id='620750' first='Bailey' last='McQuinlin'], [player_tooltip player_id='603784' first='Madison' last='Offner'], [player_tooltip player_id='771865' first='Maddie' last='Kelly'], Camryn Shattuck and others. Kelly and Eyden Moats made some nice sets with [player_tooltip player_id='557889' first='Payton' last='Bromley'] and Brooke Adams making nice first passes. Cooper just controlled the net better and kept Dixie Heights more out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixie Heights built a 16-7 lead in that first game after a McQuinlin ace. However, Cooper crawled back and tied it at 18. The Jaguars went up 22-19 before finishing it on a Puckett kill and a Dixie Heights hitting error.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars started the second set stronger going up 5-1 after a Brown ace. The Colonels did cut it down to two, but Cooper made the plays down the stretch. Brown finished it with a setover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tied 4-4 in the third set, Cooper scored three in a row and never looked back. The Jaguars finished the game with four points in a row including a Reagan Wilson ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper travels to Highlands on Thursday to conclude the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Dixie Heights travels to Grant County on Wednesday for a 7: 30 p.m. game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894435"],"_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-68ef20b2560d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cheek (pictured) has stepped into the libero role as the result of an injury and done a nice job. Cheek watches opposing hitters quickly then anticipates where balls are going. She has a good platform and became more efficient as the game went along. Cheek said she was not used to playing left back so that was a bit of a difference. Cheek said not being afraid to dive is a key and credited the front line for putting up nice block to help her out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777996"],"_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-68ef20b256146"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Puckett helped the Jaguars control the net from the middle and the outside. Puckett took good swings for the Jaguars and teamed up with teammates well to put up nice blocks that forced a number of balls high and wide. Puckett said the team wants to do well for each other, adding it is good to get touches on balls because she's undersized for a middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894438"],"_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-68ef20b256191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown has made a good adjustment to the varsity level after playing for a high-level club team in the spring. Brown has developed good speed and rhythm on her sets using her athleticism. Brown surprised Dixie Heights with sound setovers. Brown can take swings when needed and makes tough serves.</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":894457,"_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-68ef20b2561f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slayback put together another nice game for the Jaguars. She's been consistent all season. Slayback once again used her size well to at least deflect balls at the net. She served hard to different spots to help keep Dixie Heights out of rhythm. Slayback said being aggressive and trying to get hands on every ball are keys to dominant net play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557889"],"_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":894460,"_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-68ef20b25624a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bromley is a constant hustler for the Colonels. Bromley may not get to every ball, but she gives everything she has trying to at least make attempts at them. Bromley dove after a number of balls, but maintained control on many of them to jumpstart the Dixie Heights attack.</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='751338' first='Bella' last='Taylor'], Cooper - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='811366' first='Ava' last='Dunn'], Cooper - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='777996' first='Jillian' last='Puckett'], Cooper - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='771300' first='Gisele' last='Slayback'], Cooper - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='845962' first='Maya' last='Schwartz'], Cooper 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='894438' first='Lilli' last='Brown'], Cooper - 26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='894435' first='Zoe' last='Cheek'], Cooper - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='749725' first='Violet' last='Birtcil'], Cooper - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schwartz - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slayback - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slayback - 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 -->