The Lady Neers were in Pool A with Dixie, Holmes, and Tates Creek. This SK squad has been up and down all year but when they are on, they can play with any team. SK came off the bus oven hot as they absolutely smoked Dixie by scores of 21-1 and 21-4. I completely missed the first game stuck in the wonderful traffic of single lane 275 but SK made it clear that they were in Ft. Thomas to take the cake for keeps. After the battering of Dixie, SK turned attention to Holmes. It wasn’t a good morning for Holmes to take on the hot Neers as SK took down the Bulldogs in an Easy Bake fashion. With SK looking strong, they turned their attention next to the Tates Creek Commodores. SK came out still looking strong and took the first set in easy fashion. Someone flipped the pilot light out and SK would lose the next two games without much of a fight to end up with the number 2 seed in the pool.
The first bracket play match was against Boone County. The Neers brought their top shelf game back and jumped out on the Rebels early and often. SK took the match in two game fashion without much pressure from Boone.
SK now moved from the refrigerator-like confines of the middle school to the warmer at the high school in order to face the host cakes in semifinal action. Highlands looked bigger than SK but the Lady Neers went toe to toe with the Birds up front. Several contested points right at the net would go SK’s way. This match was tight from the start as no team led by more than three points the entire match. SK won the first set 26-24 and the second set 21-19.
The Neers move onto the ‘ship to face their cross county rivals in the Scott Eagles. This match also was close from the start. SK won the first set by a score of 21-18 but the Eagles were not going away without trying to ice the Neers. Scott jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set. Scott looked confident but Hacker’s kids remained calm. She called a time-out and SK came back to tie the score at 7. Back and forth scoring and several lead changes led to a wild ride once SK went up 20-19. No less than 6 ties would go on the scoreboard until Carson delivered the winning hit for a 27-25 SK victory.
Bedlam would break out on the floor as Saralyn Callahan passed out the coveted blue iced cupcakes to the winning Neers.
Back to serious for a moment, the thing that struck me all day was player after player stepped up at key times. It was a total team effort and a lot of fun to watch. The other thing that was evident was the girls didn’t get rattled in the especially tough games against Highlands and Scott in the semis and finals. Scott was serving for game point on multiple occasions but SK kept digging and scratching and clawing. Kudos again to the entire program. Sure, it is no fun getting up pre-dawn to catch a bus but you guys obviously did a fantastic job supporting each other.
Let me say a great week of volleyball for the Pioneers! Great job coaches and players. I already can’t wait for next week.
A less serious pose.
Highlands was bigger up front but SK went right at them; here it is Megan powering for the point.
Team!
The girls remained lose through the entire day; Taylor and Sara in a light moment towards the end of the match with Scott.
Ellie with a smash.
Schmee with some tough D.
Taylor digging.
I've learned that volleyball coaches love to talk through their clipboards.
Keepin up on homework during the match.
Waiting during Boone County's warm-up
Sara Sergent was stong with the service today.
Future recruits.
Taylor with a hit from the back row.
Hannah laying out to get a touch on this ball.
Taylor getting down for a dig.
Not the best pic but it was a strong kill.
This dude can get up in the air.
More team
Chloe is usually one of the emotional cheerleaders; here she gets some serious instruction from bench.
Ellie, you just won the Cupcake Classic, Where are you going now? I'm going to Kona Ice!
