Hendrix Leads Papillion-LaVista South to Big Win Over Bellevue West

<p><em><strong>Aliah Clark (4) of Papillion-LaVista South hits against the block of Bellevue West's Kealy Kiviniemi (9) and Kenzie Keith (6) during Thursday night's match. Photo by Berk Brown.</strong></em></p> <p>BELLEVUE - A clash between two top-10 Class A teams on Thursday night turned into a convincing win for #10 Papillion-LaVista South as the Titans took a 25-15, 25-13, 16-25, 25-19 win over #8 Bellevue West.</p> <p>Given the depth and competitiveness of the Class A field this fall, matches like these will have significant impact in the final three weeks when it comes to determining which seven teams can get home-court advantage for the district playoffs. The win lifted Papillion-LaVista South to the #8 spot in the wildcard standings while Bellevue West slipped to #10. District play begins three weeks from Monday.</p> <p>Senior Sophie Hendrix, who committed to Wayne State last month, led the Papillion-LaVista South attack with 16 kills, three aces, two blocks and 12 digs. Freshman Stella Adeyemi added 10 kills for the Titans and sophomore Ava LeGrand had eight kills, an ace, eight blocks, 19 digs and 20 assists.</p> <p>For Bellevue West, sophomore Kealy Kiviniemi had a team-high 15 kills to go with four blocks and nine digs. Jacki Apel added 12 kills and two blocks and freshman Destiny Simpson had eight kills, Jayna Hope had 30 assists and Presley Liberty and Brittney Sheibal each had 17 digs.</p> <p>Here are the big takeaways from the match.</p> <p>1.) Not only did Hendrix have a big night against Bellevue West, the senior is having an outstanding season thus far. Her 16 kills against Bellevue West tied a career high as she had 16 earlier this season against Millard North as well. Hendrix was a starter as a freshman, finishing that season with 244 kills and then she suffered a major knee injury during a jamboree match prior to her sophomore season and was lost for the year. She bounced back with 199 kills last season, but she has looked like a completely different player in 2019. She's explosive and powerful and playing better than she ever has. I'm sure it's been a long and difficult road back from the injury, but it's great to see her fully healthy and playing at a high level.</p> <p>2.) With all due respect to Waverly, the best tandem of middles in the state resides at Bellevue West. There are individual middles with more ability, but as far as a collective group, no team can match the T-birds Kivineimi and Apel. Both are extremely athletic and play well above the net, put up a really good block and they are smart with their shots. The key for Bellevue West, in my opinion, is going to be finding someone to step-up and consistently produce as the #4 attacker behind the middles and Simpson. </p> <p>3.) Mercy is Papillion-LaVista South sophomore LeGrand going to be a special player. She's as physical of a presence as there is at the net for a setter in the state and what really impressed me on Thursday night was her ability to put the ball in a position for her hitters to avoid blocks. It's the little things like that that really separate the good setters from the great and it's really impressive that she has that kind of court vision at such a young age.</p> <p>4.) Simpson has a huge future ahead of her. The Bellevue West freshman didn't have the best of nights against the Titans, getting eight kills put also having nine attack errors. But, her athleticism and power is impressive and once she is able to harness all of that power, she is going to be a real force to reckon with.</p> <p>5.) Papio South freshman Adeyemi also deserves a shout out. She doesn't have ideal height for an outside hitter but she's got power and she tied a career high with 10 kills on the night. I really like the way she plays and it will be fun watching her continue to develop over the years.</p>