Four in-state teams that won sets against Assumption this year

<!-- 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 Assumption Rockets once again claimed another state championship Saturday with the convincing 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-14) victory over the rival Notre Dame Pandas at George Rogers Clark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets have been reloading pretty much ever since Ron Kordes took over the program in 1988 with 1989 his first season leading the way. Assumption won its first of 26 state championships in 1992 in his fourth season. Since that season, the Rockets have only NOT won the state championship nine times with the last three coming from 2020 to 2022 when the northern Kentucky powers Notre Dame and St. Henry combined to win three in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption won eight in a row between 1995 and 2002 putting together an impressive 174-game winning streak against in-state competition. The current winning streak against in-state competition is 49 in a row with the last defeat coming 3-2 (15-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14) at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption finished 40-3 this year including in-season tournament wins in the Showdown at the Sunsphere and the annual Louisville Invitational. The Rockets graduate seven seniors off the team. They return four of their top five kills leaders, but do graduate the main setter and several defensive specialists. However, Assumption generally has other players step in. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='787974' first='Ella' last='Davis'] is the likely candidate to succeed [player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'] as setter with [player_tooltip player_id='780365' first='Hyla' last='Petkovic'], [player_tooltip player_id='768239' first='Lindsay' last='Erhard'] and others ready to contribute in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There, Assumption is still the team to beat until proven otherwise. With that said, four in-state teams did take at least one set from the Rockets so Assumption still has to keep the guard up. Three of them happen to be members of the state's Dominant Five that have won all but one of the state championships in 1980 since the inaugural state tournament in 1979. The Rockets take the court with the confidence and expectation of winning and it will take someone equaling that to end the streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/17673042","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"crowdsignal","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/17673042 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Semifinals on Nov. 7 at George Rogers Clark</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, Mercy 2 (25-20, 27-29, 25-11, 20-25, 15-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars may have lost their 17th in a row in this storied rivalry, but they did not go down without a battle. [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'], [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino'] put up double-digit kills numbers against the Rockets with [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] setting things up. [player_tooltip player_id='852131' first='Sydney' last='Kapfhammer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] had great games in the back row. Derringer, Cronen, Herbert, Welsh, Kapfhammer and [player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps'] are back for Mercy next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct. 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, DuPont Manual 1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win in that first set proved to be huge for the Crimsons. They came close in the 2024 region championship game, but DuPont Manual had not taken a set from Assumption since former Assumption assistant Richard Weaver took over the program. The Crimsons do have wins over Sacred Heart and Mercy during his tenure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DuPont Manual will have a senior-laden team next season as this year's team had four seniors and nine juniors. The returning setter is [player_tooltip player_id='779957' first='Avery' last='Lloyd'] with [player_tooltip player_id='912909' first='Morgan' last='Horning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='954396' first='Marlowe' last='Jeffreys'] handling things in the back row. The leading returning hitters are [player_tooltip player_id='851639' first='Ally' last='Hamilton'], [player_tooltip player_id='963622' first='Kamryn' last='Bauman'], [player_tooltip player_id='963944' first='Avery' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963022' first='Calla' last='Magnuson-Clemons'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept. 28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, St. Henry 1</strong> <strong>(16-25, 25-13, 25-14, 25-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders took the first set but could not maintain the momentum. St. Henry graduates two seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='727132' first='Kali' last='McCane'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727134' first='Kayleigh' last='McCormack']. On top of that, longtime head coach Maureen Kaiser announced her retirement a few days ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Henry returns three three-year starters in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert'] at setter, libero [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='709517' first='Violet' last='Main']. Assumption contained Main in that game, but [player_tooltip player_id='727147' first='Molly' last='Blackburn'] reached double digits in kills. [player_tooltip player_id='950707' first='Hadley' last='Lemmond'], Stella Flick and [player_tooltip player_id='1005143' first='Ashley' last='Hammond'] also return to help the Crusaders control the front net next season. Audrey Pieczonka is a key returning player in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept. 1 and Sept. 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, Sacred Heart 2 (25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, Sacred Heart 1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 25-23)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The arch-rival Valkyries took three sets from the Rockets during the regular season, but could not do it during the region championship. They graduate seven seniors, but also generally reload.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='895476' first='Addy' last='Ayres'], [player_tooltip player_id='893802' first='Denise' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='909701' first='Reagan' last='Baron'] and [player_tooltip player_id='896603' first='Lineth' last='Rodriguez Diaz'] return to lead the offense and [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] is back at setter. [player_tooltip player_id='1040908' first='Madison' last='Tegge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748192' first='Bella' last='DeSensi'] are back to anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["787974"],"_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-6af621f8ea7ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis has nice command of the offense. Her Open Division experience in club season should help her step in and run the fast-paced tempo Assumption is known for. Davis executes a variety of sets including back sets. Her quick hands help her control balls. Davis makes nice adjustments on out of system balls to push them back toward the net and does not lock her arms. Davis jumps before balls arrive in her hands to give her extra touch to hit her targets. Davis involves a number of hitters and does a great job hitting them at high attack points. Davis also shoves balls over on second touches and is an aggressive blocker. Davis hustles after balls on defense and reacts quickly to balls hit near her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612086"],"_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-6af62224c0944"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Welsh recorded 28 digs in the state semifinals to give the Jaguars a chance. Welsh does a nice job trailing plays and adjusting to redirected balls. Welsh makes the routine passes and provides quality net backup. Welsh goes on her knees for balls under control and sticks her arms out to close seams. Welsh does a nice job bouncing back up after making tough digs and executes both overhead and bump passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["954396"],"_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-6af63327d5f8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeffreys (pictured) does a nice job controlling the back row. She makes nice steps to balls and stops in her tracks to line her arms up to balls to make precise two to three-point passes and jumpstart the offensive rhythm. Jeffreys makes the routine passes and uses her sound range to track down balls. Jeffreys adjusts well to redirected balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1005143"],"_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-6af639996df1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hammond emerged as a powerful offensive threat in the middle and pins for the Crusaders this season. Hammond shoves balls to lines to the sides of good blockers. Hammond makes quick adjustments to pound balls down lines. Hammond can tool blocks and win jousts. Hammond gets on top of balls and delivers hard shots with a nice downward trajectory. Hammond is tough on ones when she has the right spacing away from the net. Hammond pounds down overpassed balls with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040908"],"_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-6af6416420f6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tegge made a number solid digs for the Valkyries this fall. Tegge stops in her tracks and does a great job making first touches. She makes quick reactions on defense and sends out of system balls back toward the net. Tegge does a good job communicating in the back row. She paints back lines on her serves provides quality net backup.</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 nearly three 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 -->