NKJV 17 Blue features good mix of upcoming talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball 17 Blue team has some of the area's top talent led by Simon Kenton junior [player_tooltip player_id='210627' first='Tori' last='Chasteen']. Chasteen primarily played the libero position for the Pioneers this past year and looks to be in that same role for this team, but she's not afraid to help out in other ways from blocking to being an option as a hitter. Chasteen led the Pioneers with 374 digs last year and tied for a team-high 44 aces, helping Simon Kenton to a 30-8 record, 32nd District championship and 8th Region runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other names that stand out on the roster are Highlands juniors [player_tooltip player_id='395942' first='Ella' last='Cox'], [player_tooltip player_id='486914' first='Sydney' last='Schomaker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486907' first='Lyla' last='Bottom']. Schomaker is the team's tallest player at 6-0 and looks to give 17 Blue a nice hitting option after finishing second with 193 kills for Highlands this past fall and Bottom is to build off a solid fall blocking. Bottom led the Bluebirds 64 assisted blocks and 12 solo blocks and finished fourth with 103 kills. Cox improved drastically as a setter this past fall leading Highlands with 532 assists, helping Highlands to a 20-16 record and seventh straight 36th District championship. All three expect to play similar roles for 17 Blue and Cox hopes to contribute at opposite hitter as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle junior Rebecca Kramer gave the Raiders a nice option offensively and could do the same thing for this team. Kramer finished sixth for the Raiders with 102 kills this past fall and hopes to have a bigger role with the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='107416' first='Abby' last='Lester'] and [player_tooltip player_id='260892' first='Kiana' last='Dinn']. Kramer helped Ryle to a 24-13 record, a 33rd District title and 9th Region semifinal appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Henry junior Maddie Bray will also be counted on at defensive specialist and setter for the 17 Blue team and head coach Jay Chung. Bray could have a bigger role with St. Henry this year with the graduation of six seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three others round out the roster. Mercy-McAuley junior Kristen Berwanger hopes to contribute at setter and opposite hitter after seeing limited varsity action this past season for the Ohio Division II state champion Wolves. Maggie Kute from St. Henry and Josie Pelton from Ryle look to give 17 Blue more hitting options. Kute hopes to step into a bigger role for St. Henry this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue participated in the LUV Snowman Showdown in Lexington on Jan. 13. The next tournament is the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis on Feb. 3 and 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->