Dixie Heights at Ryle 9th Region Battle Impressions

<!-- 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 favored Ryle Raiders had reasons to make excuses not to play to their standards Wednesday on Senior Night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was not only a celebration for the four seniors plus the senior assistant coach off the Ryle boys volleyball team, but a celebration of past, present and future Raiders. Veteran head coach Tasha Lovins and staff welcomed back some former players of the school that opened in 1992. Future players stood with their big sisters and the team also gave bouquets to the Dixie Heights seniors. The former players came onto the court after the first set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, once Ryle (16-14 overall) took the court, the Raiders took care of business in the 3-0 (25-19, 25-8, 25-14) victory. [player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'] played as steady as usual on first contacts and [player_tooltip player_id='919067' first='Adailee' last='Schoborg'] also made solid passes. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774786' first='Clare' last='Holtzapfel'] then made the solid passes to [player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'], [player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1052012' first='Kiylee' last='Kemper'] for the finishes. The Raiders consistently did a good job making adjustments and bouncing back from mistakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We talk to the players all the time. Yeah, there's a lot of people here," Ryle head coach Tasha Lovins said. "You're representing the alumni. You're representing the kids that are looking up to you and getting ready to come in. So we held then to a standard and hoped they came out and performed."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixie Heights (9-22) has a senior-laden team. However, the Colonels have struggled to consistently put things together for nice runs. [player_tooltip player_id='557889' first='Payton' last='Bromley'] hustles after balls like usual with Eyden Moats nicely setting up the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='620750' first='Bailey' last='McQuinlin'], [player_tooltip player_id='757909' first='Katie' last='Kennedy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1052026' first='Camryn' last='Shattuck']. Things could come together for Dixie Heights at some point if their confidence rises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five players especially had nice games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1052012"],"_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":1052016,"_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-6ad05243282a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kemper (pictured) has developed a nice arm swing and wrist snap putting balls over with a nice downward trajectory. Kemper pounds balls down lines and has nice zip on her crosses. Kemper benefits from facing good competition in practice. Kemper said offensive balance helps against good teams. Kemper added it's about the mindset and coming together as a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["334217"],"_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":1052017,"_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-6ad0524328358"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hansel came out and owned the back row as well as she ever has. Hansel's motor only goes full force when it comes to tracking down balls. Hansel will do everything she can to dig up balls that are near her trying to keep plays alive. Hansel has strong topspin on her jump serves. She serves to different zones trying to keep opponents out of rhythm. Hansel also delivers quality out of system sets. Hansel said it's important for the Raiders to play their game as opposed to worrying about the opponent. Hansel added it starts with good first touches and getting into a good offensive rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["731690"],"_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":1052021,"_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-6ad053b4ee83b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilkinson has taken her arm swing to another level putting amazing power into balls. Wilkinson shoves balls to open areas of the court. Her vertical lets her get off the ground and hammer balls before double blocks can form. When defensive specialists stay back, Wilkinson does not hesitate to let up and tip balls to the donut. Wilkinson attacks seams with precision. Wilkinson forms such solid blocks that force opponents to hit balls high and wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["712121"],"_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-6ad05435830ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Towner has nice touch on her swings. She uses her high attack point to pound balls over and around blocks. Towner pounds balls hard into holes in double blocks and seams. She has been working on her back row attack. Towner put great topspin on her serves throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1052026"],"_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-6ad055c2d6a7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shattuck has turned into a sound hitter for the Colonels, especially when she has good spacing from the net. Shattuck takes nice swings from both the front row and the back row. She is also valuable on defense with her quality first touches. Shattuck makes good adjustments on redirected balls. A good next step is avoiding hitting balls into double 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 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>&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 -->