One-minute neighbors battle for 37th District Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Scott Eagles and Calvary Christian Cougars sit literally one minute down the road from each other on Kentucky Highway 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both have fielded nice volleyball teams over the years. However, the two had never met for a 37th District Championship until Thursday at Campbell County. To make that happen, Calvary Christian won its first-ever 37th District semifinal game since the current format came about in 2012, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-13) over favored Bishop Brossart on Tuesday and Scott dispatched host Campbell County, 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-14).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott (26-11 overall) showed its experience in big games claiming a third straight 37th District championship, 3-0 (25-18, 25-7, 25-20). The Eagles played their fast-paced game from the first serve taking no chances. Similar to other region opponents, Calvary Christian could not slow down Scott's senior two-time 10th Region Player of the Year outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor']. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'], [player_tooltip player_id='586657' first='Reagan' last='Cummins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='734852' first='Jacinda' last='Campbell'] gave the Eagles balance off nice sets from [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] and digs from [player_tooltip player_id='877753' first='Emory' last='Sullivan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='795190' first='KaLeigh' last='Grigsby'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I think a big thing is these seniors," Scott head coach Andrea Sullivan said. "They mean a lot to me. They mean a lot to the school. I've known most of them since they've been in second, third grade. To watch them grow up, to watch them succeed and win their last district championship is just really special. I'm happy for them. They worked hard for it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvary Christian (23-7) tried to counter with senior power hitter [player_tooltip player_id='533373' first='Anna' last='Hickey'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='779514' first='Megan' last='Arthur']. Sophomore Natalia McGlynn and freshman Annabel Leach are the setters with freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='896714' first='Madison' last='Stelzer'] digging up as many balls as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott used big runs in each set to pull away. The Eagles scored the first three points in the first two sets and did not look back. The Eagles served one into the net in the third set, but ran off five in a row for a similar result. Albeit, Calvary did hang tougher better in that third set than the second one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams advance to the 10th Region Tournament at George Rogers Clark next week. Scott takes on Mason County, Harrison County or Montgomery County with Calvary Christian facing Nicholas County, Bracken County or the host Cardinals.</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":["212393"],"_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":896682,"_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-68fba0b50793f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The two-time 10th Region Player of the Year is going out full throttle. Minor's love for the game shows every time she takes the court. Minor has great form and follow-through on her swings with the ability to chance directions in the air. Opponents have to react quick on her or the ball hits the ground quickly. Minor does not get frustrated if one swing does not land. She finds something else that does work on the next attempt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["604595"],"_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":896693,"_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-68fba0b5079bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Players like Grigsby are the reason teams can not solely focus on Minor. Grigsby landed a lot hard kills along the lines on the go routes. Grigsby's experience shows on the court as she plays with tremendous poise. Grigsby said every player must have the same desire to come together to get the job done to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500587"],"_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":896704,"_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-68fba0b507a24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grigsby has been the starting setter for three years and has steadily improved over that time. Grigsby reads defenses well and distributes balls accordingly including back sets. She makes sure the hitters can hit balls over and around blockers if not power through them. Grigsby surprised Calvary Christian with some setovers and setter dumps. Grigsby said the Eagles lost a set to the Cougars during the regular season taking the Cougars lightly so they came out strong and did what the Eagles do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896727"],"_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-68fba5885cedd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lindsey (pictured) showed tremendous potential coming in to serve at times. Lindsey served aggressively keeping Calvary Christian out of system. Lindsey came into the game with 18 aces on the season and added another one that set up set point in the first set. Lindsey said the serving went well, adding she's grateful for the varsity experience and is looking forward to exciting things with her Scott teammates the rest of this postseason and the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533373"],"_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":896709,"_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-68fba0b507a87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hickey is the playmaker for the Cougars, having valuable high school and club experience. Hickey goes up strong on her net approaches and puts a lot of power into balls. Hickey places balls to different zones making defenses guard different parts of the court. Hickey also makes sound passes then quickly transitions to defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896714"],"_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-68fba5885d007"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stelzer does a good job setting her feet in the paths of balls then lining up her body to make sound first touches. Her experience is paying off for the Cougars. Stelzer makes sound serves and delivers good passes when Calvary is out of system.</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='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'], Scott - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], Scott - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justice - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877753' first='Emory' last='Sullivan'], Scott - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='795190' first='KaLeigh' last='Grigsby'], Scott - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minor - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] - 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.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->