Stout Players in Walton-Verona at Newport Central Catholic Game

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: <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>. For 25 percent off, type ET26Mike25OFF at checkout.   Aggressive serving can earn a team quick points if they do it aggressively under control. The Walton-Verona Bearcats had 306 aces and 191 serving errors while the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds had been serving more accurately with 263 aces and just 139 errors. The more accurate team won out as NewCath won the non-region battle, 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-17) on The Hill in Newport on Wednesday.   NewCath especially kept Walton-Verona out of system in that second set. [player_tooltip player_id='776882' first='Kolbey' last='Kohrs'] came in with 59 aces to lead the team with [player_tooltip player_id='1049887' first='Grace' last='Mumper'], [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'], Peyton Niehaus and [player_tooltip player_id='816320' first='Maddie' last='Sandfoss'] all at 31 and higher. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1000296' first='CC' last='Reid'] had 27 entering the game.   "It's not even just aggressive.This is the best serving team we've had since I've been here," NewCath head coach Angie Reckers said. "We really focus on serving ball control and out of system. We've gotten a lot of points out of system because we work on that daily. We know our first touch might not be perfect, so we know that every touch after that, we have to try to better the ball. We definitely work a lot on game pressure situations. I have multiple players that are serving at a very high percentage and getting aces, so I definitely think what we've worked on in practice has definitely translated to games. There's been games that we've won just because of our serving."   NewCath (18-11 overall) did a better job taking care of things on its end of the court. Kohrs had her usual all-around play and [player_tooltip player_id='512719' first='Charlotte' last='Stevie'] also made some nice assists with [player_tooltip player_id='1049887' first='Grace' last='Mumper'], [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] and Niehaus also making nice digs in the back row. Hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='891631' first='Bella' last='Schaber'], [player_tooltip player_id='882125' first='Miley' last='Wolf'], Alexa Combs, [player_tooltip player_id='743567' first='Maura' last='Franzen'], Sandfoss, Reid and even Lucy Schill took some nice swings throughout the game. The Thoroughbreds are one win shy of last year's win total.   Walton-Verona sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1049884' first='Allison' last='Arnold'] had a nice game with 10 digs trying to jumpstart the offense. However, the Bearcats (16-16) struggled beyond that. However, Walton-Verona could still earn the 32nd District's top seed. The Bearcat go to Grant County on Tuesday to decide that. These players had nice games trying to help lead the respective teams to wins.    Wolf had as consistent of a game as she's had all season. Wolf hits huge shots into seams through double blocks and paints the back lines. Wolf is not afraid of the big moments, calling for balls in crucial situations. Wolf uses a good wrist snap to angle balls away from opponents and is a solid blocker. Wolf also brings great energy and enthusiasm to the court. Wolf said she has done better at getting on top of balls better and tries to pound balls where teammates tell her.     Teams generally try to hit away from liberos. That's where Mumper brings a huge presence for the NewCath defense. She's been waiting for her time to shine and is doing that this season. Mumper steps to balls using a good platform and delivers nice two to three-point passes. Mumper uses good range to keep plays alive. She also possesses a strong jump float serve. Mumper said it's all about mindset on serve receive. She said players want to attack serves and be in good communication with teammates. Mumper added it's more of a mental thing than a physical one.     Schaber (pictured) has been flying a little under the radar, but definitely commands attention from opponents. Schaber executes solid line shots. She tools blocks, but reacts quickly to keep plays alive when teams block her. Schaber takes nice swings when she has the right amount of spacing away from the net and pounds out nice crosses. Schaber even uses her nice arm swing to mix in tips to the donut. She also does a good job placing overpassed balls away from opponents. Schaber said everyone on the team gets along and that helps on the court with teamwork, adding each player loves the game so they enjoy playing together.     Sandfoss continues to better balls each time she takes the court. Sandfoss pounds out sound crosses and makes critical solo blocks to stymie opposing runs. Sandfoss is coachable and is a great communicator in the back row. Sandfoss made a crucial ace in the third set to lift the Thoroughbreds to the win.     Arnold has been steady in the back row for Walton-Verona on defense and serve receive. Arnold has great range and handles well-struck crosses. Arnold tries hard to close seams quickly. Arnold makes quality out of system sets and sends out of system balls back toward the net so hitters can put across down balls. She'll continue to grow with her work ethic.    Note from Writer   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.

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: https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky. For 25 percent off, type ET26Mike25OFF at checkout.