Gold Winning Players on Day Two of Louisville Invitational

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Assumption Rockets are tough to beat because of their intense focus, depth and huge attention to detail. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They do what they can to cover as much of the court as possible, making it tough for opponents to put balls down on them. If opponents see openings, they try to let balls rip. Even then, it is not a sure thing balls will land on the Rockets. In the Louisville Invitational at the Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy that opened in 1993, the Rockets often face teams from around the country that do those things just as well. Undefeated Assumption (17-0 overall) had to beat three out of state teams Saturday to win the LIVT for the first time in three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning both pool play games Friday, top-seeded Assumption started the day with a sound 2-0 (25-8, 25-15) win over St. Jospeh's (Missouri) then ran into a challenge against the 2024 Ohio Division II state champion Cincinnati St. Ursula Bulldogs. Assumption took the first set, 25-12, but had to rally in the second set to win it 26-24. The championship game put Assumption against a familiar opponent in the Mother McAuley Mighty Macs from Chicago. Mother McAuley won the LIVT last year before Assumption ventured north weeks later and won the annual Asics Challenge at Mother McAuley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'], senior defensive specialists [player_tooltip player_id='785586' first='Lacey' last='Prather'], [player_tooltip player_id='931035' first='Natalie' last='Whitsell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484322' first='Madelyn' last='Faulkner'] do a great job trying to dig up balls to senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'] to distribute to the many talented Assumption hitters. Then the likes of senior middles [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'], [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'] along with pin hitter in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'], [player_tooltip player_id='912809' first='Harper' last='Poole'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'] gave the Rockets the usual balance. Junior University of Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] is still injured, but junior middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='940345' first='Autumn' last='Mattingly'] has returned from injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams left everything on the floor. However, Assumption executed better to win 2-0 (26-24, 25-20). These players among others made key plays in the Gold Championship bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":1041185,"_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-6aa6c23aaccbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a team full of playmakers, Lee seems to be one that's been on the spot in crucial games this year. Lee finished the championship game with a one to the side line of the one zone. She consistently deposits those ones all over the court. Lee has a good vertical to take those big swings before opponents can get up to block her. Lee tips to open parts of the court and attacks holes in double blocks and seams with precision. Lee is also an aggressive blocker coming up with a number of big ones throughout the tournament. Lee said her teammates help her stay calm in big moments and play better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611743"],"_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":1041191,"_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-6aa6c4ae07725"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not only has McKenzie's accuracy improved, but also her court awareness. She can improvise in the air to send a ball to an open spot in the corner even though the initial thought may be to send over a cross. McKenzie (pictured) takes good swings from the back row and front row, doing a great job tooling blocks. Her swing blocking has also taken nice steps forward. McKenzie said hitters don't want to swing full force all the time, adding it is a matter of seeing what is available and working with the set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529814"],"_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":1041194,"_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-6aa6c612bca34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prohaska does a great job getting on top of balls and attacking seams with precision. Prohaska uses her height and high attack point to pound balls over and around strong blockers and even tools blocks. Prohaska also does a good job mixing in good off shots. Prohaska has great range on defense. Prohaska squares her body and arms up to balls to make precise two to three-point passes and get the Might Mac rhythm going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["582234"],"_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-6aa6c8d3adc32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haas reacts quickly on defense, swinging her arms and hands to her sides to dig up balls. Haas has shown she can handle hard crosses. Haas does not hide behind blockers, providing quality net backup. Haas positions her feet to beat balls to their destinations on the floor and makes good adjustments on redirected balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774929"],"_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-6aa6c98881459"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Herbert is a sound six-rotation player for the Jaguars. The lefty puts over a tough float serve and has sound range defensively to make sound first touches on defense and serve reception. She gives opponents issues at the net with her unique hitting angles on the right side. Herbert also does a good job tooling blocks.</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 -->