Division IV Semifinals: Buckeye Valley, McNicholas move on

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division IV title game at Noon on Saturday features the top-ranked team in the division against one that has the firepower to make a game of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1: [program_tooltip program_id='431739' first='Buckeye' last=''] Valley 3, Marlington 1 (25-20, 14-25, 25-18, 25-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Barons (25-3 overall) had not been this far before, but they did not let the lights get too bright earning the first state tournament win in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id='227629' first='Alia' last='Schoonover'] had a big day both offensively and defensively for the Barons, finishing the day with a .281 hitting percentage. She had some help from sister [player_tooltip player_id='582213' first='Leia' last='Schoonover'], [player_tooltip player_id='763921' first='Taylor' last='Harning'] and others on the attack as setters Tegan McMillen and Payton Loedding put balls in power zones consistently. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='793331' first='Delaney' last='Lozier'] set things up well with first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlington (25-3) hoped to make it back to the state championship game after finishing runner-up last year to Roger Bacon. Danica Sarhione did what she could trying to help the Dukes do just that. Giana Bugunovich and Chloe Evanich also had nice swings for the Dukes with Cali Young putting them in good positions to succeed. Amiiah Sickles added some good first touches and serves keeping the Barons out of system some. However, the Dukes could not match the intensity from the Barons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2: McNicholas 3, Meadowbrook 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked Rockets (26-2) dominated the Colts (25-3) with their size and depth. The Rockets have three players standing 6-0 and above and the Colts had just one listed on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621290' first='Lauren' last='Radtke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='435871' first='Ali' last='Strange'] started things with good passes for the Rockets. Radtke also had a good game with her serving. Setters Allie Runte and [player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'] then performed their normal routines setting up the arsenal of Rocket hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='548602' first='Sarah' last='Hutchinson'] led the Rockets with other players such as [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='744485' first='Josie' last='Mayfield'] taking big swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meadowbrook saw Nicola Journey, Natalee Norman and Kara Launder try to set up the offense and setter Addyson Sichina made good sets. [player_tooltip player_id='836603' first='Nora' last='Smithberger'] took nice swings for the Colts along with the likes of Addison Schultice and Norman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["793331"],"_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":901962,"_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-690d14108b46b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lozier (pictured) made a number of crucial digs throughout the game. Lozier squares her arms up with balls then uses good form trying to send balls to the front row to set up the offense. Lozier said going hard all the time after balls is a mentality she's developed throughout her volleyball career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["227629"],"_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-690d14108b4e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schoonover has developed outstanding form on her attacks over the years and it paid off in this game. Schoonover has outstanding instincts on the court. She is not afraid to use her off hand to catch opponents off-guard. Schoonover pounds balls off blocks and runs sound tandems with her sister and other teammates. Schoonover is also a sound passer and server. She kept Marlington out of system a good bit and added in a deceptive setover in the first set. Schoonover said the setover is tricky, but she loves doing it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484385"],"_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-690d14108b56f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sarchione took a number of sound swings from the pins and middle, trying to mix up hard and soft hits. She runs effective tandems and hits from the back row. Sarchione also makes effective first touches and makes things happen out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621290"],"_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":901982,"_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-690d14108b5da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Radtke helps solidify a solid McNicholas defense with her athleticism and platform. Radtke makes the simple passes to jumpstart the Rocket offense and had great serves against Meadowbrook. Radtke said first touches are a huge emphasis for McNicholas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["744485"],"_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-690d14108b632"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mayfield uses her size to disrupt the net a number of ways. She swings side to side at the net quickly allowing her and teammates to get a number of hands on balls. Mayfield had some key blocks in the win over Meadowbrook. On offense, she had some nice shots down the lines using her quick arm swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480823"],"_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":902000,"_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-690d14108b697"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tierney also uses her size well at the net for the Rockets. Tierney pounds down balls off a great approach to the net, especially on overpasses. She rebounds quickly on blocked balls readying herself to dig the blocks up then take another swing. She partners with teammates well to form sound double blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901512"],"_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-690d15cb5f63e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schultice showed great promise for the Colts. She took some incredible swings, especially in the first set. Schultice also did a good job putting down overpassed balls.</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 nearly two years 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 -->