What Underclassmen Shined At The D4 Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 4 state finals featured a rare mix of underclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only did we see some sophomores and freshmen make a splash, but we also saw a pair of eighth graders play a key role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the underclassmen that put up some numbers during the D4 finals weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Karis Terwilliger, So. OH MP Sacred Heart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terwilliger was an offensive weapon that came through in some key moments for the Irish in their five-set battle with Our Lady of the Lake. She had 12 kills in the match and added nine digs with two assisted blocks. The Irish are a veteran team, but Terwilliger should keep them among the D4 contenders in upcoming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Emmerson Phyle, So. RS Everest Collegiate</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phyle was one of the few underclassmen to be on this roster, let alone contribute. She was part of the powerful CEC offense. In the semifinal win over Hancock, she had three kills with five digs and two aces. She followed that up with a kill, an ace and three assisted blocks in the championship match with OLL. With most of the lineup graduating, Phyle is likely to be a focal point for the program moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Caroline Zarotney, 8^th DS Our Lady of the Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a lot to ask for Zarotney and her fellow eighth grader to step up and play varsity with five seniors on this OLL roster. She held her own in the spot, as she had five digs, two aces and a kill in the semifinal win over Sacred Heart, followed by five digs in the final with Everest Collegiate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jenna Jasheway, 8^th RS Our Lady of the Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jasheway was the second eighth grader to be part of the 7-person OLL roster. She also performed quite well given the pressure situation. In the semifinal, she had four digs and an assisted block in the win over Sacred Heart. She then added a pair of digs in the final with Everest Collegiate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Azura Aho, Fr. MH Hancock</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aho was one of the offensive leaders for Hancock in the semifinal loss to Everest Collegiate. She had six kills and hit .294 for the Bulldogs. She took the second-most swings as well. It is clear that Hancock will build the offense around her going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Vaeda Brooks, Fr. MH Hancock</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks was the second freshman middle to see a lot of time in the semifinal with Everest Collegiate. She had two kills, two aces and a dig for the Bulldogs. She will help make Hancock formidable in the middle in the upcoming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->