In-season Class 2A State Tourney Day Two Sound Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first in-season Class 2A state tournament took place in 2021. No one recorded a second state championship until the Lexington Catholic Knights did it Saturday with wins over Adair County then a 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-15) win over Warren East at Brescia University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington Catholic remained undefeated at 12-0 with the win. [player_tooltip player_id='741875' first='Maddy' last='Warner'], [player_tooltip player_id='874997' first='Finley' last='Quinn'] and even [player_tooltip player_id='768422' first='Elise' last='Millard'] started things up on defense letting the dynamic setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] do her thing distributing the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='212387' first='Ella' last='Blackburn'], [player_tooltip player_id='212388' first='Payton' last='Avilez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535172' first='Miller' last='Duncan'] hit double-digits in kills for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I have said this for years. Teams overcome mistakes. We made our share (Saturday)," LexCath head coach Jeff Kaufmann said. "In the end, you don't have to feel alone. It doesn't have to be perfect. I'm proud of them for playing team ball both days."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warren East (14-6) bested Rowan County in the semifinals to make it to the championship game. [player_tooltip player_id='774211' first='Caylie' last='Hoffman'], Madelyn Hoffman and Kaitlyn Miller led the Raiders. Hoffman dished out 21 assists and Miller matched her jersey number with 21 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four teams that lost Friday played consolation games. The Christian Academy-Louisville beat Letcher County Central and Corbin beat Calloway County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535172"],"_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":886116,"_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-68c64b019e85e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Duncan (pictured) used her size to help the Knights dominate the net throughout the tournament. She consistently came through when the Knights needed a kill. Duncan said the Knights had to adjust to the Warren East power hitters. Duncan said Miller was really good as a lefty, but once the Knights got more touches on her, they slowed balls down and set up the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-68c65492b6cbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avilez had a great all-around tournament for the Knights. Avilez back up on balls then made strong passes then ran to her secondary position whether it was covering the net or setting up for a swing. Avilez said sound all-around player is all about trust in each other. Avilez said she likes to send quick, low passes to setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] to let her set up the offense. Avilez had 12 kills and eight digs in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741875"],"_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":886128,"_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-68c655f82da2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warner had another great game at the libero spot for the Knights. Warner handled a lot of low line drive shots under control helping out the Knights offense. Warner aligns herself with blocks to be able to handle crosses and other shots. Warner said crisp first touches keep rallies going. Warner added when blocks are set up, teams can set up the defense around them. Warner had 15 digs in the championship game for the Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594484"],"_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":886133,"_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-68c657200078c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller pounded out a number of solid hits for the Raiders, giving them a chance to win the championship game. Miller hits at unique angles as a lefty. Miller pounds out crosses and shorter hits mixing up soft and hard ones. Miller finished the championship game with 21 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and a half and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. 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