32nd District semis: SK, Grant advance for third straight season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason is all about putting the nerves aside and trying to execute like you know how in order to keep playing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-seeded Simon Kenton Pioneers came into the semifinals undefeated in this round since the current format came about in 2012 and left that way with a convincing 3-0 (25-4, 25-8, 25-9) victory over the Williamstown Demons in the first game at Grant County. The host Braves and Walton-Verona Bearcats expected to battle it out to keep their seasons alive with a tight battle, but Grant County came out on top with a 3-1 (14-25, 25-20, 25-5, 25-17) victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton (27-5 overall) and Grant County (18-12) will meet in the district championship game Thursday back at Grant County at 6 p.m. The Pioneers have won the district championship the past six seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers played their consistent game in the first game and the Demons (15-15) could not keep up sending a number of free balls back over the net. Simon Kenton more than took advantage of the opportunities for swings to make quick work. Senior Madeline Johnson led the way offensively along with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'] defensively. Setters Sarah Meyer and Cece Scalf both distributed the ball well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game saw Walton-Verona (15-14) come out determined to make it back to the 8th Region semifinals for the first time since 2020. [player_tooltip player_id='269850' first='Bella' last='O'Brien'] landed three aces during that game and the Bearcats executed the offense well to take that first game, but the hosts settled down after that. They started the second game better and came through even after Walton-Verona came back to tie the game at 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both sides knew the team that executed on serve receive better would come out on top. Grant County had 15 aces to seven for the Bearcats and that especially turned out to be the case in the third game. The Braves built a 15-1 lead in the game and never looked back. Walton-Verona called two timeouts during the run trying to stymie the momentum. [player_tooltip player_id='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'] ended that game with an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth game saw Walton-Verona jump out to a 3-0 lead, but Grant County gained it back quickly with a 6-0 run as [player_tooltip player_id='697458' first='Rylee' last='Akers'] landed two aces. Akers came into the game leading the Braves with 49 aces on the season. The lead ballooned to 18-9. The Bearcats cut it to seven at one point, but came no closer. Grant County equaled last year's win total with the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamstown graduates six seniors this spring in Ashlee Bassi, Abby Knarr, Harper Mann, Brooklynn Osborne, Karaline Peer and Hailey Webb. Walton-Verona graduates eight seniors in O'Brien, Macie Godwin, Jennifer Alexander, Kennedi Craven, Zelah Gabbard, Makenna Simpson, Abi Stamper and Lily Vandiver.</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='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'], Grant County - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madeline Johnson, Simon Kenton - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='269850' first='Bella' last='O'Brien'], Walton-Verona - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'], Simon Kenton - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macie Godwin, Walton-Verona - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='535203' first='Olivia' last='Ginn'], Grant County - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarah Meyer, Simon Kenton - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ceanna Scalf, Simon Kenton - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laken Fugate, Walton-Verona - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olivia Simpkins, Walton-Verona - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joie Landrum, Grant County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karaline Peer, Williamstown - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='734313' first='Maggie' last='Howell'], Grant County - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Brien - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Godwin - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lily Vandiver, Walton-Verona - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ginn - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen'], Simon Kenton - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor Verbeck, Williamstown - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abby Knarr, Williamstown - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='697458' first='Rylee' last='Akers'], Grant County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chasteen - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Brien - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitchens - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landrum - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":709212,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='734313' first='Maggie' last='Howell']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grant County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b18ea5c9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howell (pictured) did a great job setting the tone for the Braves with crisp first passes. She sets up well behind the blockers to find balls. Howell even made some good assists when the Braves were out of system. Howell said the good first passes help keep the energy up and keep the team together even when trailing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697458"],"_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":709220,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b18ea5d05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akers came in and delivered some solid serves the entire game consistently hitting spots all over the court. That led to free balls that the Braves took advantage of. Akers also found herself in the right spots a good bit for key digs. Akers said her serving helps bring needed momentum to the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479311"],"_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":709221,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b18ea5d53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Russell delivers big kills time and time again for the Braves. Russell admits she had some moments of frustration such as missing a setter dump in the second game. However, Russell responded the right way with a huge game at the net and digging up some big balls. She generates great power on balls with her approach to the net, the follow-through and finish. Russell said she likes to stay positive for the team. Russell recalled how the Braves got into their own heads in the region semifinals last year so that has been a focus this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535203"],"_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":709227,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b483864f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ginn gives everything she has on every single play. She brings a lot of versatility as a result and the Braves try to take full advantage of it. She sets up her hitters well and takes big swings offensively. Ginn also has a nice jump serve and extends her arms nicely to make crisp passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269850"],"_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":709230,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b48386551"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien gave everything she had for the Bearcats trying to will them into the region tournament. O'Brien is tough from the strong left side because she makes a lot of things happen there with solid swings. O'Brien hit a number of balls off blocks for kills and landed some big aces with good spin on her serves. O'Brien admits she hates losing, but said she's forever indebted to second-year head coach Katelyn Sallee and staff for helping guide the Bearcats in a good direction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["622369"],"_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":709237,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6718b57903c19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meyer gives the Pioneers a lot of valuable play defensively. She covers ground while reading the opposing hitters making sure she does not hide behind blocks. She communicates well with her teammates, especially her twin sister Sarah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->