What you must understand
- Beechwood swept Scott 3-0 on opening night, showing experience and strong team chemistry.
- Isabel O Brien led the Tigers with 13 kills and four aces, while Scott looked to build chemistry with new players.
- Scott s Milyn Minor, a two-time 10th Region Player of the Year, finished with five kills.
- Beechwood s depth and senior leadership gave them control in each set.
- Both teams see the early matchup as a springboard for the long season ahead.
On the first day of the Kentucky high school girls’ volleyball season, Beechwood was so hot that even the fire sirens couldn’t keep silent.
The defending state semifinalist Scott was overwhelmed by the No. 25 Tigers once play resumed, as they swept Fort Mitchell 3-0 on Monday night (25-16, 25-18, 25-15).
Targets were on both sides going into the game. Scott brought back two-time 10th Region Player of the Year Milyn Minor, while Beechwood brought back every member of the team that finished with 25 wins the previous season.
On the floor, the Tigers’ continuity and experience were immediately apparent.
Matt Long, head coach of Beechwood, stated, “I believe it was proven.” We had strong senior leadership, and there is a lot more continuity when there are so many seniors and juniors. Younger players challenge older players, and there’s a lot of friendship among the players.
That was the case with every set.
Scott started strong in the first set, briefly leading 3-2, but Beechwood responded with a 13-2 run that put them firmly in control. The Tigers carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 12-1 lead. The Lady Eagles managed to cut the gap to 19-17, but Beechwood pulled away to secure the set. The third set proved the closest, with both teams trading points until an 8-8 tie, when the Tigers broke away and never trailed again.
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Beechwood consistently replied, depending on preparation and a solid team atmosphere, even when Scott made a brief run, never taking a lead of more than two at 2-0 in the first and third sets.
According to junior Isabel O. Brien, “we wanted to concentrate on maintaining a high level of energy from the very beginning because that’s how you start a game strong and win them.” I am quite thankful to be in this setting. With the students cheering and my dad shouting “Let’s go, Tigers!” it’s fantastic. The floor displays it.
O Brien finished with a game-high 13 kills and four aces, demonstrating that enthusiasm. Maggie Dawson had 12 digs, Skylr Estep had 27 assists, Rachel Lewandowski had eight kills, and Teegan Becker had five blocks.
Scott’s star, Milyn Minor, who finished with five kills and was selected to the first team all-state the previous season and was a two-time 10th Region Player of the Year, made it difficult to get blocks.One of the best players in the state, Milyn Minor, had five kills. Charles Bolton donated the image.
According to Long, we made sure she was being looked after by two persons. We thought we had an advantage if we tried to slow her down, even if it was just a little.
The Tigers’ preparation and attitude were evident in their performance.
We practiced serves and one-on-one interactions with our center and hitter during our scrimmages last weekend, according to O Brien. Scott is a fantastic, resilient team that pushed us in areas where we needed to improve. This season’s start demonstrates that we’re headed in the right direction.
After a challenging opening, Scott’s focus will be on growth and adjustments.
According to Lady Eagle coach Andrea Sullivan, it takes a lot of getting used to new teammates and players in various positions. It’s an issue of gelling because we’re now asking a lot of our new players. Although the season is long, we aren’t quite there yet in the opening game.
Despite the 0-1 record, Scott learned a lot from the match.
According to Sullivan, Beechwood is among the best teams in the state. We identified areas for improvement as well as some positive aspects on which we might build. We get a head start on the remainder of the season with games like these. This is only the first day of a long grind.
In addition to Minor’s five kills, Morgan Justice contributed five kills, Ryann Grigsby had eight assists, Emory Sullivan had seven digs, KaLeigh Grigsby had two aces, and she and Reagan Cummins each had a block.
On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Scott will play its home opener versus St. Henry, another of the state’s best teams.
The Tigers, who have started the season 1-0, will attempt to keep their opponents winless when they visit Campbell County at 7:30 p.m. that same night to play another 10th Region opponent.
Charles Bolton donated the photo slideshow below:
Other volleyball scores for Monday:
Conner is defeated by Notre Dame 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-14).
Pendleton County is defeated by Dayton 2-0 (25-14, 25-18).
Bishop Brossart loses to Highlands 3-0.
Lloyd Memorial loses against Heritage Academy 2-0 (25-22, 26-24).
St. Henry def. Ludlow, 2-0
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