Crazy ending impressions that led to 25th Assumption state title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legendary head coach Ron Kordes has led the Assumption Rockets to all 25 state championships, but of the 25, Kordes agreed the latest one had the craziest ending Saturday at George Rogers Clark in Winchester.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up 16-15 in the fifth set, the Notre Dame Pandas appeared to have committed a four-hit violation, but the refs did not blow the whistle to stop play immediately. After play continued for a few seconds, the head ref initially blew the whistle and signaled a four-hit violation on Assumption. But after a conference, the refs signaled the end of the game with Assumption coming out on top, 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 20-25, 17-15) to win a third consecutive state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"To fight back and get out of a match like that was pretty incredible," Kordes said. "It happened when we started blocking the ball and people who had trouble scoring all match long put a couple balls down. There was light at the end of the tunnel. We're fortunate. They climbed out of that together. You just have to have the courage to go out there and swing. To their credit, that's exactly what they did."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame started that fifth set scoring four in a row to go up 4-1. Assumption scored three straight to tie it before Notre Dame ran off three of its own on Katie Zwick and [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] kills to go up 7-4. The Pandas led 8-7 before scoring four in a row finished by a Roose and [player_tooltip player_id='484450' first='Leah' last='Bowman'] combination block to build a 12-7 lead. After the Rockets scored three in a row and a timeout, [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] landed a kill to give the Pandas a 13-10 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'] kills, Kondik landed another to give Notre Dame match point. But [player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'] combined for a block then Assumption tied it on a Notre Dame hitting error. The Pandas had another match point chance after a long Assumption serve, but McKenzie and Lee combined on a block to deny it. Lee and [player_tooltip player_id='212400' first='Jillian' last='Bohannon'] then combined for a block to give the Rockets match point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame came out strong winning the first set before Assumption took the next two. The Pandas built a good lead in the fourth set and kept it to send the game to a deciding fifth set. In the three-peat, Assumption beat Notre Dame in five sets in the semifinals last year and in four in the state championship in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611724"],"_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":903233,"_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-69102ba4ede41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Codey (pictured) had a phenomenal state tournament capping it off with a double-double in the state championship game. Codey is a sound, six-rotation player. She makes crisp passes then sets up in her offensive attack form. Codey has great hitting angles. She runs sound tandems in the front row and smacks hard crosses to the opposite line on go routes. Codey did not start off the strongest but came through at the end. Codey makes things happen out of system and powers balls with authority from the back row. She can hit balls off blocks for big points. Codey had a huge dig on Dyas down the stretch. Codey said powerful digs are about reading balls and putting her body in the right spot. She wants to pass balls to setters under control to nicely set up the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212396"],"_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":903235,"_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-69102ba4ededd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keiran had another big performance to finish her solid career for the Rockets. Keiran read a number of balls well then set her feet to make the simple two to three-point passes. She made some sliding saves under control that led to huge Assumption points. Keiran makes sound out of system passes making sure teammates take good swings on balls. Keiran said the Rockets realized in the fifth set it was now or never, so she reminded her teammates of that every time she got touches on balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["851613"],"_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":903259,"_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-69104b989b2bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lee came up clutch with some big double blocks down the stretch like she has all season. She gets lot of hands on balls in the front row to slow them down for the defensive specialists. Lee powers balls through blocks in the front row. Lee said every player made contributions to the win and she's proud of all of her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212398"],"_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-69104b989b346"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Askin made not have put up the numbers of some of her teammates, but she's still provided valuable leadership all season. Askin uses her size well to deflect balls and give the Rockets depth on the outside. Askin agreed blocks are often overlooked as people mainly focus on the kills, but Askin said blocks give teams momentum and therefore should get more credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["312234"],"_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":903261,"_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-69104b989b3ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When games are on the line, Dyas calls for the ball and puts great power into balls trying to land big kills. Dyas had another strong game at the net recording sound solo and assisted blocks. She does a great job improvising in the air, not afraid to tap balls to shallow open parts of the court. Dyas landed some tough slide kills and came inches away from landing another state title for the Pandas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["507601"],"_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":903263,"_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-69104b989b454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Portwood also laid it on the line in her final game for the Pandas. She called for balls from the back row when Notre Dame was out of system and took great swings with her momentum veering toward the net. Portwood sent some soft serves to the middle of the court for aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741510"],"_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":903265,"_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-69104b989b4d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson's dedication to the game shows on a daily basis. Jackson leaves everything out on the court mostly with first touches. The libero gets back on hard shots and quickly recovers to the front row on soft ones to make the simple passes. Jackson made some dynamic saves in the state championship game even going down on her knees to keep one play alive. Jackson will continue to improve during club season.</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='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'], Assumption - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'], Assumption - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Notre Dame - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], Notre Dame - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kate Zwick, Notre Dame - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'], Assumption - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212400' first='Jillian' last='Bohannon'], Assumption - 46</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'], Notre Dame - 33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'], Notre Dame - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], Notre Dame - 33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Emily' last='Keiran'], Assumption - 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Codey - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Port wood - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bohannon - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larkins - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212397' first='Iris' last='Williams'], Assumption - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'] - 10 assisted, one solo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'], Notre Dame - five assisted, two solo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyas - four assisted, two solo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'], Assumption - five assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bohannon - four assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zwick - four assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hooe - three assisted, one solo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portwood - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'], Assumption - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams - 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 nearly two years 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 -->