Five Eastern Kentucky 2021 Defensive Standouts

<p>Eastern Kentucky defensive specialists/liberos in the Class of 2021 delivered for their respective teams throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season. </p> <p>Here’s a closer look at five Class of 2021 Eastern Kentucky defensive standouts. </p> <p><strong>Emily Gearheart:</strong> A junior libero/defensive specialist, Gearheart is a student-athlete from Pikeville High School. One of the leaders for perennial 15th Region title contender Pikeville, Gearheart recorded 361 digs and 79 service aces during the 2019 high school volleyball season, pacing her prep team in a pair of key categories. One of the best servers in Eastern Kentucky, Gearheart is precise as a passer and reads blocks well. </p> <p><strong>Jenna Grayson:</strong> A junior libero/defensive specialist, Grayson is a student-athlete from Martin County High School. Among the most productive high school volleyball players in Eastern Kentucky, Grayson posted 469 digs and 84 assists over 35 matches with her high school team in 2019. A team captain, Grayson is a consistent defensive specialist. An excellent passer, Grayson displays stellar side to side movement and is emerging as an outstanding passer. </p> <p><strong>Makayla Jones:</strong> A junior defensive specialist/libero, Jones is a student-athlete from Wolfe County High School. Jones produced for 55th District runner-up Wolfe County throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, posting 162 digs in 34 matches. Jones will take on a larger role for 14th Region member Wolfe County in the 2020 high school volleyball season. Gaining experience in 2019, Jones proved to be a skilled passer with the ability to read blocks well. A hard-working player, Jones showed the ability to keep the ball in play throughout her junior campaign. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68114" first="Alivia" last="Stumbo"]:</strong> A junior defensive specialist, Stumbo is a student-athlete from Floyd Central High School. Helping to lead third-year high school volleyball program Floyd Central to its first 15th Region championship in 2019, Stumbo recorded 226 digs and 41 assists in 38 matches. Stumbo is a solid communicator who is consistent in multiple key categories, including serving. The productive Stumbo thrives at getting into position for serve receive and communicating with her teammates. </p> <p><strong>Lauryn Watkins:</strong> A junior defensive specialist, Watkins is a student-athlete from Betsy Layne High School. Producing for her prep team throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, Watkins recorded 279 digs and 35 matches. A two-sport standout who is a point guard in basketball, Watkins leads consistently. The athletic Watkins is exceptional when it comes to being in position to provide the best pass to transition her team from defense to a good offensive set. Watkins is another solid communicator who thrives defensively. </p>