Division II-A Crown: Goodpasture pounds way past BGA

<!-- 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="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>The Battle Ground Academy Wildcats came out firing away trying to beat the Goodpasture Cougars a second time this tournament and take home another state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Cougars made huge adjustments after the first set and pounded their way to a 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-19) victory for their seventh state championship and first since 2020. That is tied for third all-time with Germantown only trailing Brentwood's 16 and Briarcrest Christian's 13 state championships. BGA fell short of winning its first state crown since consecutive championships in 2021 and 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodpasture (33-7) did it with offensive balance. Tournament most valuable player [player_tooltip player_id='941490' first='Gwen' last='Forsha'] put together a solid game in many facets with Kaylin Cross and and Zoe Huffine making nice assists to Forsha, [player_tooltip player_id='1055002' first='Ellie' last='Sims'] and even Abigail Myatt. [player_tooltip player_id='808870' first='Klyne' last='Davis'] did a good job setting up the offensive rhythm with consistent first touches. Laura Beth Blessing and [player_tooltip player_id='798858' first='Sloan' last='Jenkins'] also contributed to the Cougar cause on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I think they just got the momentum early and they just knew they couldn't lose," Goodpasture head coach Bailey Johnson said. "They have eight seniors and they took over. Once we had the momentum, (BGA) couldn't earn it back."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side, [player_tooltip player_id='832463' first='Grey' last='Malone'] made some big swings for the Wildcats to help them take the first set. Johanna Snyder did what she could trying to help the Wildcats to the win with [player_tooltip player_id='1055021' first='Taylor' last='Davis'], Gianna Ippolito and Hannah Gregg trying to five BGA balance. Macy Tidwell also had some nice sets with libero Elena Miller tracking down some balls. BGA just could not overcome Goodpasture's adjustments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='941490' first='Gwen' last='Forsha'], Goodpasture - 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johanna Snyder, BGA - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1055002' first='Ellie' last='Sims'], Goodpasture - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='832463' first='Grey' last='Malone'], BGA - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abigail Myatt, Goodpasture - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaylin Cross, Goodpasture - 29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zoe Huffine, Goodpasture - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gianna Ippolito, BGA - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macy Tidwell, BGA - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forsha - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snyder - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808870' first='Klyne' last='Davis'], Goodpasture - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forsha - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snyder - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sims - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malone - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elena Miller, BGA - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ippolito - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sims - 2 solo, 3 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='798858' first='Sloan' last='Jenkins'] - 4 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1055021' first='Taylor' last='Davis'], BGA - 3 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forsha - 2 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah Gregg, BGA - 2 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claudia Dobie, BGA - 2 assisted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941490"],"_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":1054998,"_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-6adace7e22cec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Forsha (pictured) contributed to the win in a number of ways. Forsha puts nice roll shots to the back row and delivered crushing line shots. Forsha splits seams and pounds sound crosses to deep corners. Forsha tools blocks and sent over tough line drive serves. Forsha is also a solid blocker for the Cougars. Forsha said the momentum they had was monumental in the win. Forsha added they needed to keep the energy whether they won or lost the point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1055002"],"_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-6adace7e22d53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sims helps create space for her teammates with the number of shots in her arsenal. Sims tips balls to the three zone from the back row and sends over nice four-to-four swings. Sims turns away setter dump attempts and tools blocks. Sims even tipped some nice balls to the donut. Sims said mixing up shots keeps opponents off-balance trying to figure out where balls are going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["808870"],"_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-6adacfc401dc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis closes seams quickly and squares her arms up to balls. Davis does a good job trying not to hide behind blocks. Davis reads hitters well and then stops in her tracks to make crisp two to three-point passes. Davis said the big key for the Cougars is keeping balls in system. She credited her teammates for spreading the ball out and hitting targets as other keys to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832463"],"_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-6adad6b1c9a6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malone paints back lines with her swings and tools blocks with her sound attack approach. Malone is a sound six-rotation player for the Wildcats. Malone has an outstanding four-to-four cut shot and attacks seams with precision. Malone gets on top of balls and pounds out great swings. Malone has sound jump serves and does an incredible job of swinging her arms out to dig up balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1055021"],"_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-6adad6b1c9acc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis gives the Wildcats a nice left-handed presence. Davis curls balls away from opponents. Davis puts over nice roll shots. She can power balls down lines and uses her sound wrist snap to hit balls around blocks to deep corners. She will continue to improve with her work ethic.</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 and a half 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> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> 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 -->