Preview of Saturday’s Top Matches

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Mercy McAuley vs. NDA (KY)</strong></em><br>There is big offense on both sides of the net in this contest. Mercy is much improved in the areas of competitive experience and skill with their young talent from a season ago playing with more confidence. They have good balance in their offense led by a trio of very capable hitters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139276' first='Sophia' last='Adkins']</strong>, <strong>Emma Adkins</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114582' first='Ruby' last='Klusman']</strong>. The savvy distribution skills of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114574' first='Maria' last='Drapp']</strong> gets them good opportunities to score. For NDA out of Kentucky, their big arms include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106678' first='Sydney' last='Nolan'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157453' first='Peyton' last='Mast']</strong>, both of whom can have potential to score big points any given match. Both squads have good back row impact as the Wolves are led by libero <strong>Jess Drapp</strong> and her 5.0 digs per set. For the Pandas, they have a crew of DS/Libero prospects that make it very challenging for defenses to score. They are led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157454' first='Kayla' last='Hostetler']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='170952' first='Kamden' last='Schrand']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>St. Ursula vs. Turpin</strong></em><br>St. Ursula has big potential to challenge for the GGCL title. They should be able to sustain good balance in their offense led by pins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114568' first='Addy' last='Brus']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141697' first='Ava' last='Siefke']</strong>, both earning over three kills per set so far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141709' first='Ivey' last='Stocks']</strong> (*pictured) is a big threat in the middle on both sides of the ball as she can score and is one of the league's best blockers. The size and improved distribution from setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141710' first='Luca' last='Fickell']</strong> is the x-factor. On the Turpin side, Depaul commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139273' first='Lilly' last='Gillespie']</strong> is averaging just shy of five kills per set and gets good support from <strong>Maddy Waters</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139274' first='Melana' last='Bigelow']</strong> is the third element to their offensive output and if she can find some consistency in her opportunities and point scoring, Turpin will remain dangerous. St. Ursula may be too much to handle for Turpin but this should be a fun and competitive match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Ursuline vs. Lebanon</strong></em><strong><br></strong>Ursuline is one of the most complete teams in the state with offense, good ball control, and one of the best distributors leading the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114516' first='Brooke' last='Bultema']</strong> is a tough match up for even the best teams and gets good space given the other key factors in their offense like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176087' first='Katie' last='Gielas']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195856' first='Lindy' last='Radaszewski']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153896' first='Erin' last='Gonzalez']</strong>. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141725' first='Lindsey' last='Green']</strong> is atop the GGCL in assists and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197515' first='Sydney' last='Breissinger']</strong> is among league leaders in total digs. Lebanon is the defending ECC champion and relies heavily on Lipscomb commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114543' first='Ninah' last='Miranda']</strong>. Teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114597' first='Mya' last='White']</strong> has 32 kills on the season and is hitting at a .195 efficiency. They are seeing good output from a couple of newcomers in pin hitter <strong>Ava Long</strong> and her offense and in the defensive effort from <strong>Madison Kyle</strong>, both freshmen getting good minutes so far. The question here is how much they can get from their middles, especially in defending at the net with the full-court arsenal that Ursuline brings to each match. Expect this to be highly competitive from both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->