Ryle Raiders at Notre Dame Pandas Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's second-ranked Notre Dame Pandas historically bounce back from losses in big ways and Wednesday proved to be no different. Less than 24 hours following a rough 3-0 road loss at Assumption on Tuesday, Notre Dame welcomed in the Ryle Raiders and put together an impressive 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 24-21) victory on Senior Night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame (24-7) did it with balance once again using the size on the front line to the advantage. [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'], [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] took some nice swings off good sets from setters [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp']. [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'] once again led the Pandas in first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"When we play together and play as one, we're unstoppable and so it's really exciting to see those days," Notre Dame co-head coach Hannah Colvin said. "We're going to have some off days here and there, but when we play together, we're awesome."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle (17-12) is still near the top of the region with a 7-1 record in 9th Region play. The Raiders saw senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'] go down in the second set so [player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'] and freshman Clare Holtzapfel had to work together to fill that role. They both had good sets to [player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'] and even [player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns']. [player_tooltip player_id='486910' first='Ria' last='Furuta'] had some nice digs and [player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'] tried to do the same thing on her 16th birthday to help the Raiders win. Ryle just could not get into a consistent offensive rhythm and enough touches at the net to slow balls down on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first set saw Notre Dame score the game's first three points and not look back. The Pandas got into a nice rhythm extending the lead to 10 at one point with Portwood finishing it with a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set saw a similar story. Notre Dame scored the first two points of the set and slowly built the lead. Dyas had a nice block for the Pandas down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pandas played some younger players in the third set, but they overcame the lumps. Ryle led a couple times in the set including 13-9 at one point. Tied at 17, Notre Dame scored four in a row to go up 21-17 after a Kondik tip kill. The game ended on a Ryle long hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle travels to Beechwood on Thursday with Notre Dame not playing again until Oct. 21 against Holmes at Beechwood in the 35th District semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484250"],"_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":894754,"_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-68f0acf1caa5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kondik's attacking form has really come together and it showed in this game. The University of Cincinnati commit smacked balls to the other sidelines on crosses and to the near corners. Kondik adjusts her body well in the air to place balls away from defenders. Kondik (pictured) mixes in tips over blockers nicely. Kondik also uses her size well to form strong blocks. Kondik said when Notre Dame stays consistent, it helps keep the energy up and everyone has fun with each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["571992"],"_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-68f0affb1a63f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zwick may not be the flashiest player out there, but she gets the job done with sound net play offensively and defensively. Zwick goes up and forces opponents to hit balls high and wide. Zwick takes powerful swings from the pins and middle. Zwick said when opposing hitters see a second big block in front of them, they tend not to swing as much so it helps out the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["798218"],"_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-68f0affb1a6c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Osterkamp continues to find ways to better balls in Notre Dame's fast-paced attack. She delivers balls to teammates crisply in a number of ways including back sets. Osterkamp also delivered some tough serves in the Notre Dame win. Osterkamp said she feels the competition in both club and high school helps her improve a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727143"],"_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-68f0affb1a729"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While many teams are lucky to have one six-footer, Notre Dame has several at 6-1 and 6-2 and that's not taken for granted. Roose has come a long way since the start of the season to make more than her share of contributions in the front row. Roose gets up and pounds balls over and around blockers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["767630"],"_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":894760,"_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-68f0affb1a7af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gehring picked things up both setting and on the outside when a teammates went down with an injury. Gehring displays tremendous poise on the court. She tries to get numerous teammates involved knowing balance is needed to win consistently in the 9th Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], Notre Dame - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], Notre Dame - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], Notre Dame - 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'], Notre Dame - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'], Notre Dame - 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'], Notre Dame - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'], Ryle - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clare Holtzapfel, Ryle - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], Notre Dame - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portwood - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larkins - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='486910' first='Ria' last='Furuta'], Ryle - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'], Ryle - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Osterkamp - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Furuta - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkinson - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns'], Ryle - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gehring - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyas - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->