BG advances to state quarterfinals
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South Warren’s Reagan Reynolds (14) and Nakiya Gressler (1) defend Bowing Green’s Chayse Gilliland (17) during Bowling Green’s three-set win over South Warren in the Region 4 championship at Bowling Green High School on Tuesday.
(JACK DOBBS / Daily News)
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Bowling Green Lady Purples cheer on the court after clinching a three-set win over South Warren in the Region 4 championship at Bowling Green High School on Tuesday.
(JACK DOBBS / Daily News)
The Bowling Green volleyball is moving on in the state tournament after picking up a 3-0 (27-25, 25-16, 25-21) victory at Apollo on Monday.
Bowling Green (33-7) earned its second win of the season against Apollo, overcoming a slow start to advance to the state quarterfinals for a third straight season and the fifth time in six years.
“It was a packed house,” Bowling Green coach Keith Carver said. “They did a really good job of getting fans there. I think nerves kind of got us in that first set. It kind of went that way when we were in Apollo early in the year. We had to battle through that. I thought the kids answered pretty well.
“… It was a good, solid win and gives us something to build on going into Friday.”
Ainsley Huffman led Bowling Green with 11 kills, while Chayse Gilliland added nine kills. Reese Romine had a team-high 16 assists, with JoeEllen Marshall adding 12 assists. Katie Yarbrough led the Lady Purples in digs with 13, while Jaelyn Page finished with 12 digs.
Carver said it was an overall team effort in the win.
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“We were really resilient last night,” Carver said. “They came out and punched us in the mouth in the first set. The kids were able to battle back and kind of separate a little bit in the second. Then the third one we kind of kept the momentum a little bit to stay on top.”
Bowling Green advances to face Whitley County on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CST at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester. The Region 13 champion swept Letcher County Central 3-0 on Monday to improve to 37-4 on the season. Whitley County has won 13 straight, the last loss in 2-1 setback to South Warren. The Lady Colonels won the Class 2A state title earlier this season.
“I guess the good thing going is they are almost the exact same team as Apollo as far as personnel,” Carver said. “They have one big first team all-state player (Reagan Isaac) that takes a lot of reps for them, takes a lot of swings. Our preparation kind of overlaps with Whitley County as it did for Apollo. I think being on a neutral floor will definitely help a lot of that. Most of my kids have been on that floor. Even though we are so young a lot of them got to play last year, so I think that will benefit us well.”
A win on Friday would put the Lady Purples in the state semifinals for only the second time in school history. Bowling Green would face the winner of Notre Dame or West Jessamine and be assured of being one of only four teams to play a match on the final day of the season.
“If we can take of business Friday night and get to that spot, we’ve got a puncher’s chance,” Carver said. “That is when we are more than likely going to play one of the power five private schools that are on our side of the bracket. We got a little luck with the bracket drawing out like it did. We don’t have to meet one of them until Saturday. We just have to get there to have a chance. I think that was one of our goals starting out. We don’t really place a lot of goals on the state championship because of the factors that go with that. The Final Four is attainable and achievable with a decent draw. Hopefully we can fulfill that goal and see what we’ve got against Notre Dame or West Jessamine on Saturday afternoon.”
Gilliland earns All-State honors
The Kentucky High School Volleyball Coaches Association announced its postseason awards on Monday with Gilliland earning a First Team All-State selection. The junior outside hitter led the Lady Purples in kills (366) and aces (74), while adding 217 digs and seven blocked shots.
She is the third Lady Purple to earn first-team all-state honors, joining Amirra Bailey and Kaia Barnett.
“I think she is deserving,” Carver said. “She has done a lot for us. Happy for her. She’s been a really vital part of our team all year.
“… She’s a fiery competitor. Sometimes that goes against her a little bit. She tries a little too hard, but having that notoriety.”
About Micheal Compton
I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.
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