State Quarterfinal Evening Session Playmakers, History Makers

<!-- 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>When the draws line up various ways, the state semifinals feature three of the Dominant Five plus another team hoping to spoil the party in the state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This side of the bracket has that one team this year. That team left standing is the Whitley County Colonels (38-4 overall). They made history on Friday as the first 13th Region team to make it to the state semifinals with the win over Bowlng Green. In the first game, one of the Dominant Five that have won all but the 1980 state championship since the first one in 1979 in the Notre Dame Pandas (27-11) advanced to the state semifinals for the fifth year in a row. The two meet at 1:30 p.m. back at George Rogers Clark on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is how it got to that point and these playmakers tried to rise up to lead their teams to the final day of the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame 3, West Jessamine 0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two have met four times in the state tournament since 2020 and the result has not changed. Like the last three meetings, the Pandas won in three sets. The 2020 state semifinal game is the lone time the Colts have taken a set from the Pandas. Notre Dame also won the meetings in the state semifinals in 2023 and the first round at West Jessamine last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame controlled the net better landing 45 kills on 110 attempts and just nine errors for a .327 hitting percentage and limited West Jessamine to a .150 hitting percentage with 38 kills on 113 attempts and 21 errors. [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] continued their recent tears with [player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'], [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] and even Charlotte Verst taking solid swings off sets from [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp']. [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'] had an amazing game in the back row with [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] and Redlinger recording five or more digs in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's very gratifying. I think we've worked all season on making sure that everybody is involved on offense," Notre Dame co-head coach Madison Salkowski said. "Makayla (Roose) has done a fantastic job of just getting out there and being an offensive presence, so we're very happy to see that they've adjusted."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Jessamine (34-7) saw [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] involved early and often. She smacked balls down against Notre Dame's tough defense, but the Pandas made sure they got up on her at the net better as the game progressed. The Colts had chances to take that first set, but untimely errors hurt them late in that set. After a tough second set, they came out strong in the third set, but Notre Dame's net presence proved to be too much in the end. [player_tooltip player_id='755065' first='Taylor' last='Grace Snowden'] did a good job running the offense with [player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent'], [player_tooltip player_id='938777' first='Harper' last='Goins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'] taking good swings. [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix'] put up double-digit digs along with Crutcher and Snowden. Long also had some nice digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitley County 3, Bowling Green 1 (25-23, 25-27, 25-23, 25-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one turned out to be a battle of athleticism against size and the athletic Colonels won out. The Colonels hit .194 connecting for 53 kills on 139 attempts to go with 26 errors and limited the Purples (33-8) to a .162 hitting percentage with 43 kills on 130 attempts and 22 errors. Bowling Green has four players standing 6-0 and taller, but they just out-blocked Whitley County, 7-6. The Colonels also had 63 digs to 52.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran libero [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] once again produced like crazy to set up the offense. [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] put together another solid all-around game and [player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] also pitched in on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] dazzled for the Colonels with [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'] also coming through in clutch situations. [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'] also recorded some big plays at the net for Whitley County. Lydia Hale also served some crucial aces for the Colonels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's phenomenal. These girls are tough kids, and they love one another," Whitley County head coach David Halcomb said. "That's something our culture is built on is playing for one another, and we've got smart kids. They can make plays and they seem to flow well. They know when to roll shot, tip or when to drive the ball. It's little things we've worked on like getting around the blocks, serve receive. Bowling Green's one of the best serve receive teams here, and to see our girls in the back row stick those passes and keep our offense in system is just huge for us."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling Green features the multi-talented [player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'] to go with sisters [player_tooltip player_id='774157' first='Ainsley' last='Huffman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774166' first='Harper' last='Huffman'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='774363' first='Hadley' last='Beard'] in the front row. They led the team in kills off nice assists from [player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='850607' first='Reese' last='Romine']. The Purples could not get in system enough to take advantage of that size. [player_tooltip player_id='827008' first='Layah' last='Britt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='940279' first='Karter' last='Tooley'] also took some nice swings with [player_tooltip player_id='890039' first='Katie' last='Yarbrough'] leading the way on defense.</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='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'], Whitley County - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'], West Jessamine - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'], Notre Dame - 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'], Whitley County - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'], Bowling Green - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'], Whitley County - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774157' first='Ainsley' last='Huffman'], Bowling Green - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'], Notre Dame - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755065' first='Taylor' last='Grace Snowden'], West Jessamine - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent'], West Jessamine - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774166' first='Harper' last='Huffman'], Bowling Green - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'], Whitley County - 46</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'], Notre Dame - 35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755065' first='Taylor' last='Grace Snowden'], West Jessamine - 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='850607' first='Reese' last='Romine'], Bowling Green - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'], Bowling Green - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'], Notre Dame - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'], Whitley County - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='890039' first='Katie' last='Yarbrough'], Bowling Green - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crutcher - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snowden - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rice - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'], West Jessamine - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix'], West Jessamine - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Romine - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilliland - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'], Notre Dame - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'], West Jessamine - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'], Notre Dame - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], Notre Dame - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'], Whitley County - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='940279' first='Karter' last='Tooley'], Bowling Green - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774161' first='Jaelyn' last='Page'], Bowling Green - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774157' first='Ainsley' last='Huffman'] - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roose - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Osterkamp - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'], Whitley County - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snowden - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774166' first='Harper' last='Huffman'] - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774363' first='Hadley' last='Beard'], Bowling Green - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'] - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lydia Hale, Whitley County - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilliland - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774157' first='Ainsley' last='Huffman'] - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Romine - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603744"],"_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":1061747,"_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-6aeeac5c5e763"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac (pictured) once again came through in a big time game for the Colonels. Isaac shoves balls to the ground coming in off fakes. Isaac goes up hard and gets on top of balls to take big rips with a tremendous downward trajectory. Isaac attacks seams with precision and takes tough rips from the back row. Isaac uses her off (left) hand to surprise opponents and her versatility also showed on defense. Isaac controlled the back row with smooth first touches. Isaac said the Colonels worked really hard this week on speeding up the offense and tooling blocks. Isaac added it was great to see the game plan work out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877421"],"_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":1061756,"_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-6aeeac5c5e79e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carroll delivers steady play and strong communication any time she takes the court. Carroll sends nice roll shots to the donut and makes good in-air adjustments to shove balls to open zones on the court. Carroll also paints back lines with nice off shots and tools blocks. Carroll attacks seams with precision and does a great job making simple passes. Carroll trails plays well and squares her arms well to balls to make the crisp first touches. Carroll said hustling and not giving up on balls have been a huge key to her success on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["577773"],"_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":1061757,"_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-6aeeac5c5e7c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilliland sends plenty of hard and off shots into seams making things difficult on opponents. She remains calm under duress and does a great job tooling blocks. Gilliland is not afraid to dive after balls under control. Gilliland has nice timing on her blocks and delivers hard serves with nice topspin. Gilliland can paint side lines with those serves.</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":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1061750,"_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-6aee6b8f2bf21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redlinger tools blocks and sends over sharp swings with a sharper wrist snap. Redlinger shoves balls to open parts of the court and does not get discouraged if first swings don't go down. Redlinger also does a good job tooling blocks and provides quality net backup. Redlinger also takes minimal steps to balls on defense to propel Notre Dame into a nice offensive rhythm. Redlinger said the team works on defense so much to be prepared for these state tournament games when they'll see a lot of hard rips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755065"],"_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":1061634,"_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-6aee6b8f2bf62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Snowden has found different ways to improve her setter touch throughout the season. She once again ran an efficient offense, making good adjustments when first touches did not come to the front row, making sure hitters could send down balls across the net. Snowden eyes the other side of the net and tries to put hitters in good position to succeed. Snowden executes a variety of sets and mixes in deceptive setter dumps.</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 -->