Difference Makers in Other Three Pools of September Slam

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nine of the 12 teams took the courts at Scott High and Woodland Middle School knowing a tournament championship was out of the question. It turned into a matter of which teams made the most of the situation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2-1 deadlock in Pool C brought up an interesting situation between the Simon Kenton Pioneers and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds that went to set winning percentage. Simon Kenton forced it with a 2-1 win over the Thoroughbreds at Woodland Middle in the morning game. Simon Kenton wound up going to Pool B in the final round going 4-3 in pool play sets for a .571 winning percentage and NewCath finished 5-4 for a .556 percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard wound up winning Pool B with victories over Somerset and Simon Kenton and Somerset edged Simon Kenton in an exciting three-setter to take fifth at the tournament. Vastly improved Newport Central Catholic beat both Dixie Heights and Boone County to finish the tournament 4-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County expected to do well with its size advantage with seven players on the roster listed at 5-11 and taller. Struggles on serve reception and first touches hurt the Indians in pool play, but they bounced back to beat 10th Region rivals Scott and Campbell County to finish the day with two wins. These players turned up the heat in the lower three pools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484254"],"_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":1039124,"_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-6a9cd8ed40c73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riegling (pictured) has an incredibly high IQ and it consistently shows on the court. She reads hitters well and makes good in-air adjustments trying to put balls down. Riegling tools blocks and powers down overpassed balls with authority. Riegling said she's been able to step in and lead for the Bruins. Riegling said she's been building off what she's learned throughout her volleyball career. She credits her teammates for being very adaptable and coachable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1039055"],"_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-6a9cd8ed40cde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bragg does a lot of little things on the court to help Somerset win. Bragg hustles hard after balls and makes a number of crisp passes. Bragg is a sound communicator on the court and does a great job encouraging her teammates. Bragg makes things happen at all six spots on the court. Bragg said if you don't do the little things, you won't win games. Bragg added little things add up and Somerset's goal is to force opponents to make mistakes to win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["890445"],"_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":1039137,"_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-6a9cdb2c4f0c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ross sets the tone for the Pioneers defensively. She hustles all over the court for balls, consistently squaring her arms up to balls to generate the offensive rhythm. Ross provides nice net backup and delivers quality out of system sets and passes. Ross also delivers nice topspin on her jump serves. Ross said she tries to bring the energy out of the gate to help out Simon Kenton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["816320"],"_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":1039144,"_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-6a9cdd9824482"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sandfoss helps the Thoroughbreds control the net. She makes solid solo blocks and wins jousts at the net. She is also coachable. Sandfoss executes ones with precision to different zones on the court. Sandfoss said she's tried to be more talkative on the court and tries to bring the energy from the start to help out the team. Sandfoss added the Thoroughbreds have a great team bond on and off the court and that's translated to wins on the court.</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 -->