Adversity Overcomers in Lafayette at Bryan Station Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Notes: Do you want to get in front of Prep Dig Scouts? This is one big way to do it. The annual Kentucky Exposure Tour in Wilder is Nov. 28. Click on this link to register: </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky</a>.<em> For 25 percent off, type </em>ET26Mike25OFF<em> at checkout.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team had been having an ideal season entering the non-district battle on the north side of Lexington with struggles on first and second contacts being some of the issues. However, the Wednesday game saw an opportunity to right some things before more crucial upcoming district seed games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both the visiting Lafayette Generals and host Bryan Station Defenders battled to the end in the first two sets. However, the Lafayette Generals squeaked out 25-22 and 27-25 wins before dominating the third set 25-10 in the 3-0 win. Lafayette (5-15 overall) has some of the region's top hitters in senior outsides [player_tooltip player_id='484422' first='Audrey' last='Gossett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523334' first='Lexi' last='Hensley'] and junior opposite [player_tooltip player_id='711994' first='Carli' last='Dotson']. Sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='882359' first='Xiomara' last='Ramos'] had some nice digs with the two setters in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='955952' first='Ruby' last='Strutz'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='940243' first='Emma' last='Kate Daniels'] putting up some nice second passes. Three middles in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='778170' first='Bella' last='Tipton'], [player_tooltip player_id='741500' first='Lily' last='Grant'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='930506' first='Haylee' last='Henderson'] also took some nice rips in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I feel like we're very consistent with our communication and playing together as a team, which is what we've been working," Lafayette head coach Taylor La Mantia said. "That was probably the most consistent that we've done that this season so I'm really, really proud with the way they played."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan Station (6-19) has an experienced libero in junior [player_tooltip player_id='888196' first='Lily' last='Howard'] and two defensive specialists in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='889777' first='Sophia' last='Newman'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='794979' first='Jojo' last='Covington'] along with several talented hitters in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='890680' first='Ariana' last='Adams'], freshman [player_tooltip player_id='882181' first='Tylah' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='943702' first='Adair' last='Kaiser'] and a blossoming seventh grader in pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1007938' first='Caraline' last='Mcmillin']. Senior Lucy Wilkerson has been leading the team in assists, but left the game with an injury so the staff put other players out there trying to run the offense. With just three seniors, the lumps the Defenders take this season could pay off next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette travels to Tates Creek on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. game. Bryan Station does not play again until the Fall Brawl at Elizabethtown on Oct. 2 and 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711994"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab56b0b88e4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dotson (pictured) got turned away some early in the game, but kept swinging and those adjustments paid off. Dotson paints back lines well with her swings from the pins, creating space for her teammates. Dotson has developed sound cut shots over the last year. Dotson made a number of formidable first touches throughout the evening. Dotson said her teammates help keep her out of her head and the setters keep sending balls her way so she can better the next ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523334"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab571a54e635"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hensley pounds balls to different zones on go routes with a nice wrist snap and arm swing. Hensley attacks seams with precision and tools blocks. Hensley is tough when balls arrive in her power zone and she has the right space away from the net. Hensley made a number of plays with sound solo and double blocks. Hensley said she hopes the General keep going up from there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778170"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab571a54e678"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tipton has adjusted well taking nice swings from the middle and the outside in her first season playing for the Generals. Tipton tools blocks and does a good job shoving balls off blocks for big points. Tipton quickly bounces back from mistakes and is a sound blocker. Tipton said she feels that confidence from hitting stems from the team's energy after that kill or block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484422"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab5763576645"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gossett is as consistent on ones and first contacts as she has been her entire career. Gossett paints lines and consistently makes good decisions where to put balls. Gossett puts hard crosses into seams and takes over games when Lafayette is in system. Gossett keeps her arms above her waist and takes minimal steps to balls to make crisp first touches to help Lafayette generate a sound offensive rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1007938"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab44b90e4c23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mcmillin plays both junior varsity and varsity trying to get a number of reps adjusting to higher levels like she's done during club season. Mcmillin brings great energy to the court. Mcmillin takes hard line swings and tools blocks. Mcmillin makes the simple passes then quickly transitions from defense to offense. Mcmillin is working on developing her jump serve and back row hits trying to take next steps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943702"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab57a279797e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaiser's confidence as a hitter and blocker continues to reach new heights when she makes a big play and the supporting cast screams with excitement. Kaiser recorded some hard blocks. Kaiser put soft shots to shallow zones and made a number of crisp first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a>&nbsp;or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a>&nbsp;on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->