Inside Beechwood’s Historic Dominant Five win over Notre Dame

<!-- 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 regular season is mainly about confidence, especially when you have not beaten a dominant team in a while or even ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beechwood Tigers (30-2 overall) had shown they can beat members of the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 all season with All "A" State Tournament and Jefferson County Invitational Volleyball Tournament titles. They had the chance to overcome a huge barrier in the 9th Region on Saturday at Boone County in the annual Playing for a Purpose game against the 35th District rival Notre Dame Pandas that saw both team wearing pink and white to show support for people who are currently battling or have beaten breast cancer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only three different teams in the current 9th Region had ever beaten the Notre Dame Pandas (19-10) dating back to 2001. St. Henry did it earlier in the season to end the 59-game Notre Dame winning streak against region opponents. Outside of St. Henry's other wins over that time frame, only Ryle had beaten Notre Dame during the regular season in 2021 and Newport Central Catholic did it back in 2007 as a member of the old 10th Region. Beechwood came out aggressive to take the first two sets, lost some of that aggressive play in the next two but found it again in the fifth set to record the historic 3-2 (25-21, 25-18, 17-25, 18-25, 15-9) victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood is 12-1 overall against the KVCA Top 25 and 3-1 overall against the state's Dominant Five consisting of Assumption, Notre Dame, Sacred Heart, Mercy and St. Henry that have won all of the state championships since the inaugural one in 1979 with the exception of 1980 when Villa Madonna won it. The Tigers have beaten St. Henry twice and their two losses are to 25-time state champion Assumption and Ohio's two-time largest Division I state champion Seton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have a great combination of experienced and younger players that have a lot of experience playing in the highest Open Division in club season. Seniors Macey Armstrong and [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'] held their own at the net without [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'], who was attending her older sister's wedding. Senior all-around [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'] carried her usual load with senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] running a smooth offense as usual. Even the younger hitters in eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='938521' first='Payce' last='Adams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='992381' first='Charlotte' last='Conway'] took some huge swings with freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='966134' first='Kennedy' last='Sturgeon'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1040706' first='Emma' last='Harris'] holding things up in the back row. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='476283' first='Emma' last='Stewart'] came in and gave the Tigers some good serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Volleyball is all about momentum. We had a lot of momentum in those first two sets. We let Notre Dame grab some momentum in that third set," Beechwood head coach Matt Long said. "Momentum can be a beast sometimes. Thank goodness we came back through and gained some of that momentum into that fourth set. It was important for us to grab that momentum. Again, the grit, the determination, the teamwork, the belief in each other, I think that's what won us that match."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame saw its two future University of Cincinnati Bearcats in [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] try to take back the net along with [player_tooltip player_id='1000647' first='Sophia' last='Bramlage'], [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling']. [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'] tried to put the hitters in good position to succeed with [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'], [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] making consistent first touches in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two could meet again in the district tournaments. However, Notre Dame will have to beat Holy Cross (Covington) in the 35th District semifinals. These players had great games in the 35th District battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484442"],"_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":1050609,"_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-6acb0ce0e564b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien had to understandably take her time to set up after recording the final kill of the huge win. O'Brien once again came out on fire trying to propel the Tigers over a huge hurdle. She attacks balls with intensity and pounds them to the ground with authority and a solid downward trajectory. Teams know her back row kills are coming, yet they still struggle to dig them up because she can hit them to sides or tip to the donut with them. O'Brien is especially tough on five's. O'Brien hustles hard after balls and records two to three-point passes consistently. O'Brien said winning this game has been a goal since the seniors were freshmen and the win showed so much perseverance. She also noted Beechwood's work is not done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938521"],"_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":1050610,"_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-6acb0ce0e5699"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adams improved her swings as the game progressed once again showing maturity beyond her age. She does a good job angling balls away from solid defenders and even took great swings from the back row. Her teammates surrounded her and praised her when she made big plays, which will only help her grow. Adams brings solid all-around play making consistent first touches. Adams also makes the simple passes. Adams praises her older teammates for continuing to swing even when they get blocked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827943"],"_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":1050611,"_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-6acb0ce0e56d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Becker continues to come up with big blocks to get the Tigers rolling. She works well to form walls at the net with her teammates. Becker uses her size to hit over and around blocks. She even put over sound out of system swings throughout the game. Becker said the hard work to control the net has paid off all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040706"],"_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":1050612,"_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-6acb0ce0e5710"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris (pictured) positions herself well behind blockers and does what she can to beat balls to their destinations on the floor. Harris handles a number of well-struck crosses throughout the day and regularly jumpstart the Beechwood attack. Harris attacks balls with precision on serve reception and defense, constantly squaring her arms up to balls to form walls around them. She'll only continue to grow from positive experience like this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741504"],"_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-6acb11f2e30ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redlinger has improved her overall ball control this season. Redlinger takes hard line swings and pounds balls with a great downward trajectory trying to land balls on a team with great range. Redlinger tries hard to come through when the Pandas need a big kill. She does bring the Pandas the balance they usually enjoy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1000647"],"_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":1050617,"_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-6acb11f2e3100"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bramlage made her first varsity start this season and appears ready for the limelight. Bramlage played for the 14-1 team at NKYVC so she's seen a lot of talented opponents in the Open Division during club season. She has good ball control, constantly putting over hard crosses. Her development is something to watch.</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 -->