State Semifinals: Assumption, Notre Dame grit out victories

<!-- 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 state championship game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. will once again feature the Assumption Rockets and the Notre Dame Pandas, who lead the state with 25 and 10 state championships, respectively, in potentially another great battle. However, unlike previous years where they've won their state semifinal games in three sets, those opponents put up battles before falling. This is how it's come to that point and the players that rose up to the occasions trying to deliver the teams into the final game Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, Mercy 2 (25-20, 27-29, 25-11, 22-25, 15-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets (39-3 overall) extended their streak to 17 in a row in a classic Dominant Five battle against the Jaguars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They had to settle back in after the Jaguars won both the second and fourth sets to build a nice lead in the fifth set and hold off Mercy. [player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'] once again had a great game distributing balls to the middle and pins. The Rockets saw [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'], [player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'], [player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] reach double digits in kills. McKenzie, Codey, [player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'] and Hurley also hit double figures in digs to aid the cause as Assumption hit .214 landing 69 kills on 201 attempts with 26 errors compared to .142 for Mercy. The Jaguars landed 56 kills on 204 attempts and 27 errors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I think our problem is we get too impatient. Once we win an easy, I think we want to do it again and get it over with. Teams aren't going to allow you to do that," Assumption head coach Ron Kordes said. "It's all about calming down. We want to put every ball away. You have to make them play some defense, too and get some rallies going."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy (30-8) saw senior hitters [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] rise up and put together solid games along with [player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino']. [player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps'] also made some things happen in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='790069' first='Payton' last='Secor'] dishing off nice sets. [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='852131' first='Sydney' last='Kapfhammer'] tracked down a number of balls to help the Jaguars earn big points. Assumption just made more plays on the whole.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame 3, Whitley County 1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-14, 25-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior outsides on both teams in Notre Dame's [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] and Whitley County's [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] showed why they are two of the most elite hitters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It ultimately turned into which player's supporting cast stepped forward and Kondik's teammates did the better job there. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'] had another nice game distributing the ball with [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] reaching double digits in kills and [player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'] missing it by one kill. Kondik, Osterkamp, [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'], [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'] paved the way for Notre Dame (28-11) to hit .279 as a team with 57 kills on 140 attempts and 18 errors. Co-head coaches Hannah Colvin and Madison Salkowski said they played back on Issac later in the game to take away her deep corner swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We were trying to get everybody involved," Salkowski said. "I think that's been our priority this year, especially going into this final match of the season. If everybody is involved, it's easier for out hitters to get a kill and harder for their block to understand who it's going to. We had the high expectation that Teagan was going to come out and get all her kills, but we also needed other girls on our roster to play and get their kills as well."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitley County's seniors in libero [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] once again tried to get the Colonels into a good offensive rhythm with [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] also making some nice contributions. The Colonels (38-5) out-blocked the Pandas, 6-4 with [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'], Isaac and Rice doubling up to deny balls. However, the Colonels could not match Notre Dame's offensive balance.</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 - 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'], Mercy - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'], Assumption - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'], Assumption - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'], Mercy - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'], Assumption - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino'], Mercy - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'], Notre Dame - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'], Notre Dame - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'], Assumption - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'], Assumption - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'], Whitley County - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'], Notre Dame - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'], Assumption - 63</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'], Notre Dame - 48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'], Whitley County - 37</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='790069' first='Payton' last='Secor'], Mercy - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'], Mercy - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'], Mercy - 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'], Assumption - 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenzie - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Codey - 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cronen - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='852131' first='Sydney' last='Kapfhammer'], Mercy - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'], Notre Dame - 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hurley - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], Notre Dame - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Osterkamp - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herbert - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Codey - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cronen - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reyes - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lydia Hale, Whitley County - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps'], Mercy - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'], Whitley County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kleinhenz - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hooe - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derringer - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roose - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenzie - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herbert - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kondik - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redlinger - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rice - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939013' first='Josie' last='Hans'], Mercy - 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":["603778"],"_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":1062003,"_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-6aef4357a1f5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurley does a great job running the balanced 5-1 Assumption offense. If one route does not work, Hurley does not hesitate to set the ball another direction. Hurley has a number of reliable hitters. She consistently puts balls in their power zones with quick touches. Hurley said she tries to find hot hitters and comes together with teammates after each point trying to keep them calm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611743"],"_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":1062006,"_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-6aef7be6d904f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKenzie (pictured) has taken bits here and there to implement incorporate into her game to help out the Rockets. McKenzie's improved accuracy showed as she came through in the clutch for the Rockets. McKenzie has a quicker wrist snap that's led to a sharper downward trajectory on her swings. McKenzie also read hitters well and hustled after balls, using a good platform to propel the solid Assumption offensive rhythm. McKenzie said it's vital to be 100 percent aggressive with swings, knowing there is nothing to lose. McKenzie added errors will occur, but there are good and bad errors, noting a number of the bad ones come when hitters are scared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["852131"],"_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":1062002,"_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-6aef7be6d9079"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kapfhammer quietly makes things happen in the back row. She squares her body up to balls and uses a nice platform to record two to three-point passes on both defense and serve reception. Kapfhammer moves her feet constantly anticipating where balls are going, yet she stops in her tracks to make quality first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727131"],"_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":1062014,"_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-6aef8604944eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilden consistently shows her versatility on defense with her ability to defend multiple zones. Tilden can play up to help the Pandas take away tips and back against tough hitters. She dug up a number of deep corner shots that led to crucial points for the Pandas. Well-struck balls carom off her arms to setters with precision. Tilden said strong defense is about making sure players are in the right angles where balls are coming from and she tries to stop in her tracks to avoid stumbling to make those sound first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["798218"],"_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":1062110,"_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-6aef92d3986c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Notre Dame is known for balanced offenses and Osterkamp does a great job trying to involve as many hitters as possible. She sets her feet and does not lock her arms on the sets. Osterkamp does a great job encouraging her teammates and providing quality net backup on defense. Osterkamp said she has faith in the hitters to compensate if she makes a mistake. Osterkamp said she's improved her court awareness and to keep pushing if there is a small block on the other side of the net. Osterkamp also said her leadership as a captain and setter has also improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603765"],"_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":1062113,"_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-6aef81bb1ba53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collier delivered sound back row play once again. Collier read the tough Notre Dame hitters well and made a number of crisp two to three-point passes helping Whitley County get into a solid offensive rhythm. Collier handles well-struck balls and takes away tough line swings.</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 -->