In this file photo from the D-III district semifinals match, NU’s Kaitlyn DeLauter follows through on a hit as a defender attempts to block the ball.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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The North Union volleyball team hopes to keep its Division III tournament run alive.
The Lady Cats will roll into the regional semifinals against Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy today at Kettering Fairmount High School.
The first serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
NU Alexis Maenz said her squad will have to bring a strong mental game to its first contest on the road in the tournament.
“I want to see a strong start, high energy and intensity throughout the match and for them to win the mental battle,” she said. “They have shown each other in practice and the last few matches how their energy and intensity really sets the tone and is a key in their success.”
A strong start will be paramount against a team that comes into the match as the No. 1 seed out of the Southwest 1 District.
In their district championship game, the Lady Eagles swept West-Liberty Salem 3-0 and utilized a variety of front-line hitters to attack the Tigers.
Rylie Wichamnn led the Lady Eagles in kills with 14, while Katie Gansle and Katelyn Grimes each tallied 10 during the winning effort.
“Cincinnati Christian Hills Academy is a very solid and disciplined team,” Maenz said. “They get production from multiple girls up front and have strong serving.”
The NU coach said her Cats have been preparing all week for the heavy attack.
“We have prepared for long rallies, smart play and keeping our composure in big moments,” she said. “We have finetuned our serve receive to handle the aggressive serves and play to our offensive strengths.”
Serve receives have been something of a weak point in the Lady Cats’ defense this season, according to Maenz.
The Lady Eagles capitalized on serve receives during their district title contest.
Cincinnati Hills picked up 14 aces during its district championship contest.
Wichmann tallued four of those aces, while five other servers also earned points off the serve.
The Lady Cats, however, are no offensive slouches.
During North Union’s district title matchup against Liberty Union, the Lady Cats picked up 47 points off kills.
Journey Blevins topped the charge with 22 of those kills.
On the serve line, the Cats tallied nine ace serves. Laney Converse had three of those perfect serve points. She also had a strong showing on the back line with 23 receptions.
With this being the Lady Cats’ first-ever appearance in the volleyball regional playoffs, Maenz said her team is ready to play at this high level.
“It is extremely exciting to play on this stage and continue to compete at a high level,” she said. “It’s a new feeling and experience for all of these girls.
“We are doing our best to enjoy the ride along with working as hard as possible to keep moving forward.”