After an opening day setting up Saturday’s bracket play, the top teams finally faced off against each other as the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament came to a close. It was Assumption KY handing Notre Dame Academy KY its first loss of the season as the Rockets prevailed in three, 25-14, 21-25, 25-16, in the championship match. Below, we highlight the standout players we witnessed from both the gold and silver brackets.
DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS
Nia Jones JR MB St. Ursula Academy OH: Jones is a real threat out of the middle and changes the dynamic of the attack when she’s in the front row. She’s a strong hitter and a reliable scorer.
Gabby Semona SO RS St. Ursula Academy OH: Semona – 3-star recruit – provides a real presence on the right side. She puts up a solid block and is also a reliable scorer who does well finding the open spaces in the defense.
Claire Morrissey SR OH St. Joseph Academy MO: A 3-star Missouri commit, Morrissey packs a punch on the outside. She carries a big arm and can boom balls down with the best of them in the tournament.
Zoe Baliva JR OH St. Joseph Academy MO: Baliva – a 3-star Florida State beach commit – fills out a strong 1-2 punch on the left for St. Joseph. She has nice extension and can send balls with a bang when the opportunity presents itself.
Isabella Pereira JR OH Clearwater Central Catholic FL: A 3-star recruit, Pereira is a six-rotation outside who is a solid passer and heady attacker. She’s a bit undersized but has a good arm and hits with pace.
Taylor Bedinghaus SR OH Clearwater Central Catholic FL: Bedinghaus – a 3-star recruit – is a six-rotation mainstay who brings stability to the lineup. She’s solid out of serve receive and is a smart hitter who can score swinging or going off speed.
***
Josephine Hensley JR S Clearwater Central Catholic FL: Hensley runs a 5-1 and sets with consistent location. She has a clean release too.
Elizabeth Tabeling SR L St. Henry KY: Tabeling – a 4-star Ball State commit – can make difficult plays look effortless. She’s quick and reacts well, which leads to her getting balls up others would struggle with.
Macy Lentz SR S St. Henry KY: Lentz – a 3-star recruit – did well dishing and running the attack. She puts up a hittable ball and is consistent with her location.
Alivia Skidmore SR OH St. Henry KY: A 3-star Western Kentucky commit, Skidmore is the go-to hitter who provides electrifying kills at times. She gets off the ground well and has a fluid swing to bounce balls with.
Simone Searles SO RS Walton GA: Searles had to fill a role on the right side due to a starter being out this weekend. She flies under the radar some but she has a strong arm and can even run the slide effectively.
Annabelle Groomes JR S/RS St. Joseph OH: Groomes – a 5-star San Diego commit – was showcasing her versatility with her setting and hitting. It’s hard to say which she excels at more. She has great hands and dishes well. She also has a powerful arm and can crush balls on the right side.
Kinslee McGowan SR S Cleveland TN: A 3-star North Alabama commit, McGowan was among the standout setters who was running a 5-1. She has nice hands and can move the ball around well to get all her hitters involved.
Lauren Hurst JR OH Cleveland TN: Hurst – a 4-star recruit – is an athletic outside with a good arm. She can get up and hammer balls in leading the attack.
Kiernan Stamey SR OH Maryville TN: Stamey – a 4-star Kennesaw State commit – is a lanky outside with the ability to unleash when the chance present itself. She can extend nicely and hit at a high point, sending balls down with it.
Isabela Haggard JR S Dunbar KY: Haggard – a 3-star Indiana commit – can set and hit as she does in club but runs a 5-1 for her high school squad. She has a smooth release and isn’t off her mark too often.
***
Delaney Gash SR OH Dunbar KY: A 3-star Akron commit, Gash is a physical attacker with a really strong arm. She’s also aggressive and has no problem challenging blockers and going off their hands.
Morgan Heater SO S Ryle KY: Heater – a 3-star recruit – is an up-and-coming setter. She plays under control and has a clean, consistent release.
Cara Richter SO OH Mount Notre Dame OH: A 3-star recruit, Richter is one of the main offensive weapons for her side. She has a solid arm and can hit with power or finesse.
Kenzie Cogan SR L Mount Notre Dame OH: Cogan – a 3-star Illinois commit – brings a presence to the defensive side with her energy and hustle. She does a solid job of keeping balls in play and extending rallies for her side.
Sydney Geselbracht SO MB Mount Notre Dame OH: A 4-star recruit, Geselbracht adds length and size to the front row. She does well scoring and finding gaps in the defense. She also moves well and gets her share of touches at the net.
Kendall Hubbard FR S Mount Notre Dame OH: Hubbard – a 3-star recruit – was one of the standout freshmen in the field showcasing her skills. She sets and hits in club but directs a 5-1 and does a fine job. She has nice hands and is able to move the ball around too.
Malia Brinkman JR RS Mount Notre Dame OH: A six-rotation right side, Brinkman passes out of serve receive at times. She also provides valuable offense too.
Katie Noschang SR MB Mount Notre Dame OH: Noschang is a bit undersized in the middle but provides valuable offense. She can line up and hit on the left and can unload out of the middle at times as well.
