WKU Team Camp: Top Performers

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Western Kentucky University team camp and direct one of their gyms, so I could scout for my readers. The amount of talent located in this gym was insane. I think a lot of people forget that little old Bowling Green, Kentucky has one of the best volleyball programs in the country, Western Kentucky, coached by one of the best in the business, Travis Hudson. The culture this team has is unlike any other and seeing how they spread this energy to the high school teams was a beautiful experience. Continuing on from my little tirade, I'd like to share the top four performers that really stood out to me based on skill and pure talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='192098' first='Haiden' last='Means']- An incoming sophomore for the Scottsburg Warriors, [player_tooltip player_id='192098' first='Haiden' last='Means'] proved to be one of the best players in the gym. Means hopped into a setting drill on the first day of camp, and everyone was instantly in awe of her natural setting hands. She's quick with her feet to the ball and makes any jump set look effortless. Not only can she be your stud setter, but she can help the team in about every other aspect too. I checked out her stats for Scottsburg last year and Haiden, as just a freshman, finished third in the state rankings for assists with 611 and had 83 aces to end first in her conference. Plus, she helped the team with a .242 hitting percentage and had the most digs per set as an all around hitter and setter with 2.6. I could go on and on about [player_tooltip player_id='192098' first='Haiden' last='Means'], but she is just a true baller and will excel at the next level. You want [player_tooltip player_id='192098' first='Haiden' last='Means'] on your team.   [player_tooltip player_id='477116' first='Katelynn' last='Vest']- This Central Hardin sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='477116' first='Katelynn' last='Vest'], showed that she was one of the top all-around volleyball players in the gym. I had the privilege to coach Vest at WKU Elite camp back in June, and she was a star setter for my team. Vest's ability to run an offense is unlike any other and knows how to run tempo, to the pin at such an early age. Plus, she is constantly communicating with her hitters on what they need and proving to be a leader on the floor. The big kicker though was when I saw her hitting right side for the very talented and successful Lady Bruins squad. Katy was stepping into the serve receive pattern passing two and then hitting with power in the front row. It just shows how talented Katy is as a volleyball player that she can perform at a high level from every angle, no questions asked. Vest is just invested to get better, and that's what I love about her.... Sorry, Katy, for the pun. It was too good just like you.   Amirra Bailey- A freshman Bowling Green native that I have the pleasure to know is Lady Purples star middle hitter, Amirra Bailey. It was established in the gym that this kid may be one of the best in the state as just a freshman. Bailey stands at 6'5 and uses every bit of that height in her volleyball play. Last year, she started for the Bowling Green Purples as just an 8th grader and appeared in every match as the squad had one of their best years in history losing to eventual state champions, St. Henry, in the semifinals. Bailey does a great job transitioning off the net and staying open to be an option in the team's offense whether it's running a slide or hitting a 31 in transition. Plus, she makes her presence known defensively at the net by blocking or touching anything that comes her way. I think Bailey is out to prove herself in her freshman campaign and show how far she's come in just one year.   [player_tooltip player_id='128207' first='Julia' last='Thomas']- The last stud that I want to acknowledge is University Height's junior star hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='128207' first='Julia' last='Thomas']. On the first day of camp, she was put into a hitting drill on the right side, and she attracted a lot of eyes because of the power this kid brings when she swings. Thomas is just athletically gifted standing at 6'2 and approach jumping 10 feet which is just amazing at her age. Julia hit middle and right side for her team at camp, and she was a force at the net blocking wise because of her natural timing and patience to get to the ball. With her swing blocking form, Julia is very good at waiting to track the ball and going to get it while it's in the air. Her stats from last year only prove my point where Thomas ended with 261 kills averaging 2.93 kills a set and blocking 86 total balls. You'll want to watch out for this girl as she leads the Lady Blazers to their hopeful four-time district championship.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Western Kentucky University team camp and direct one of their gyms, so I could scout for my readers. The amount of talent located in this gym was insane. I think a lot of people forget that little old Bowling Green, Kentucky has one of the best volleyball programs in the country, Western Kentucky, coached by one of the best in the business, Travis Hudson. The culture this team has is unlike any other and seeing how they spread this energy to the high school teams was a beautiful experience. Continuing on from my little tirade, I'd like to share the top four performers that really stood out to me based on skill and pure talent.