Excitement Players on Day One of Louisville Invitational

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is never automatic, but fate seemed to take over before the first whistles in pool play in the Louisville Invitational games that took place at the Kentucky Indianda Volleyball Academy and King Louise's Sports Complex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All but one of the top eight seeds advanced to the Gold Round on Saturday and only one of the lower seeds won a game Friday to advance to the Silver Round. The St. Henry Crusaders struck again besting Sacred Heart, 2-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-19) in Pool 7 to make it to the Gold Round with Assumption, Mercy, St. Joseph's (Missour), Cincinnati St. Ursula, Mother McAuley, St. Thomas Aquinas and Divine Saviour. Then in Pool 3, DuPont Manual knocked off Tennessee's defending Division I-AAA state champion Summit, 2-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-23) to make it to the Silver Bracket back at KIVA on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of breathtaking plays took place on the first day. These players and many others made as many of those plays as possible trying to lift the respective teams to wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1005143"],"_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":1040897,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa4cb77d2cf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hammond is one of several players that have picked things up to solidify St. Henry's net defense and it made a difference in the win over Sacred Heart. Hammond (pictured) forms sound double blocks with teammates and aggressively goes after balls trying to slow them down at the minimum. Hammond tries to smack balls where her teammates say to go and continues to come through. Hammond tools blocks and makes quality out of system sets. Hammond said St. Henry's net defense is successful because everyone moves and works together on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040908"],"_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":1040909,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa4d00f05458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tegge has nicely stepped into the libero role for the Valkyries. Tegge makes nice first contacts, setting up well behind blockers. She betters a number of balls throughout games and reacts quickly on defense. Tegge does a good job recording smooth out of system sets to help the hitters put across down balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["767630"],"_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-6aa4d2113f4b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gehring has made nice strides as both a setter and hitter for the Raiders. Gehring hits high attack points consistently helping the Ryle hitters smack balls over and around blockers. Gehring has a high motor, not giving up on plays. Gehring has nice reaction times on balls to keep plays alive. Gehring makes the simple first touches to get the Ryle offense into a good rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946596"],"_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-6aa4d2edc3050"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spelta provides the Spartans with a nice net presence. Spelta powers balls through blocks and does a good job tooling blocks. She can get on top of balls and send them screaming to the floor. Spelta can also make nice adjustments while in the air and tip to shallow zones. Spelta's blocking has taken steps forward during the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040916"],"_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-6aa4d44a406cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Babelay is developing consistency for the Rebels. Babelay handles crosses and take minimal steps to balls. Babelay does a great job squaring her arms to balls to make crisp first touches. Babelay does a great job encouraging her teammates and makes good adjustments on redirected balls.</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 -->