10th Region preview: Scott favored, but others could surprise

For all but one year since the current format took shape in 2012, the 10th Region champion has come out of the region's northwestern most 37th District.   The rival Campbell County Camels and Scott Eagles have battled for the crown a number of times making for intense battles. All four meetings stretched out the longest possible sets including the district and region championship games with the Camels winning three of them to even the number of region championships between the two to five each dating back to the 2012 season.   The lone Scott win of the four games came in the district championship game at Bishop Brossart. That marked the first district crown for the Eagles since 2020.   Campbell County's region tournament win marked the end of a two-year streak where neither squad won the region. District rival Bishop Brossart won it in 2022 one year after Montgomery County won it in 2021. The biggest challenges to the 37th District's region supremacy could come from the 40th District as Bourbon County, George Rogers Clark and Montgomery County do return experienced players from last year.   Scott may be favored to win the region with the return of all but one player last year, but others could sneak into the mix.   37th District   Scott (24-16 last year)   The Eagles have consistently knocked on the doors of region championships with veteran head coach Andrea Sullivan, who enters her 21st season guiding the program.   Scott has played for a region championship 10 times over the last 12 years including the past two season. The Eagles are hoping the experience from those games pays dividends. Sullivan said the key to success is starting off strong each game, controlling the tempo and fine tuning the serve receive and defense to be able to run an efficient offense.   The Eagles return two powerful hitters in junior [player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'], last year's region player of the year, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='477092' first='Brooklyn' last='Helm']. The two hit numerous places all over the court. Minor had 474 kills and 41 blocks and Helm had 306 kills. Helm is also a strong server leading the Eagles with 87 aces last year.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='477094' first='Elise' last='Manhardt'] returns after digging up 402 balls last year along with junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'], who had 1,051 assists. Junior Morgan Justice emerged as a powerful blocker with a team-high 63 last year and junior Payton Grigsby gave the Eagles some valuable time at defensive specialist, but can swing if needed when in the front row. Those six plus senior opposite hitter Jaeda Menfee and freshman right side hitter Jacinda Campbell round out the rotation for now. Sullivan said junior hitters Scarlett Cochran and Reagan Cummins will come into the game if someone is struggling.   Scott opens the season Aug. 20 at home against Beechwood at 7 p.m.   Bishop Brossart (21-13)   The Mustangs hoped to build off the first region championship in school history in 2022, but they instead found themselves back in the familiar spot of struggling to beat Scott and Campbell County missing out on the region tournament. However, the Mustangs did win another 10th Region All "A" crown and made it to the gold bracket of the All "A" State Tournament going 2-2.   Brossart has plenty of reasons for optimism entering Danielle French's second season leading the program despite graduating five seniors. French said positive teamwork, trusting teammates, strong communication and knocking down barriers early will be keys to success for the Mustangs this season.   Things start with senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='159379' first='Kate' last='Neltner']. Neltner and sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] are the two lone returning starters from the region championship team. Neltner led the Mustangs with 244 kills and 37 aces to go with 338 digs last year and Rebholz had 564 assists. French said Neltner and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603546' first='Chloe' last='Hershey'] will be strong pin hitters for Brossart this year. Hershey moved in after playing at Aurora (Ohio) last year.   From there, the Mustangs have the tallest player in the region in sophomore middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='515259' first='Callie' last='Ritter'], who grew an inch to 6-2 in the offseason. Ritter played all six positions for club, but French said the Mustangs are not to that point with her yet. Sophomore Leah Robinson and senior opposite hitter Addison Doughman hope to give quality swings to the Mustangs. French said the Mustangs will be concentrating on ball placement and reading opponents offensively this year.   First touches defensively will be a key to the Mustangs running their offense. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] returns the most experience at defensive specialist and French said freshman Grace Frommeyer will also contribute there.   Brossart opens the season at Conner on Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.   Campbell County Camels (19-14)   The biggest thing for Campbell County this season is walking into the gym and seeing the same head coach in Mikah Freppon.   Freppon is the first head coach since 2020 that is back for another season after the Camels went through four in four seasons. The Camels struggled early on last year, but turned the corner finishing runner-up in the September Slam Tournament, ultimately capturing their first region championship since 2019 before losing at home in the first round of state to area power Notre Dame.   The Camels will look different this year with the graduation of six seniors including their two tall middle hitters, but the cupboard is fare from bare. Freppon said building off the success and moving the culture forward will be keys to success this year. She wants to add consistency to the varsity level and push it down to the lower levels.   Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='212251' first='Hope' last='Hamilton'] and senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='585641' first='A'lon' last='McIntyre'] are the returning starters. McIntyre hopes to give more to the Camels offensively this year. Senior defensive specialist Lola Haun and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='749992' first='Faith' last='Whitford'] also return with varsity experience. Hamilton had 489 assists and McIntyre had 257 digs for the Camels last year.   Campbell County may not have the size of last year's team, but they are still striving for balance. Freppon always says if teams take care of things on their side of the net, things generally turn out in their favor. Sophomores Amerie Mullins and Lydia Fry hope to be forces in the middle and Sydney Lyons hopes to contribute more as an outside hitter.   Campbell County opens the season Aug. 20 at home against Dixie Heights at 7:30 p.m.   Calvary Christian (16-11)   The Cougars might have found themselves in the region tournament more consistently if they were not in the 37th District.   Calvary graduated four seniors including all-around Savannah Ryan. The key returning players are three hitters in senior [player_tooltip player_id='533373' first='Anna' last='Hickey'], junior Raegan Brummett and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='779514' first='Megan' last='Arthur'].   Stelzer said mental toughness will be a key to success this season. She said the Cougars will have a young team with lots of potential for growth. The key will be how they respond to obstacles and frustrations that come from varsity inexperience.   Calvary opens the season at Bracken County on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.   38th District   Harrison County (28-10)   The Fillies have quietly produced one of the most consistent teams in the region having won 11 consecutive 38th District championships and appearing in the region championship in 2018. They have not lost to a district opponent since losing to Pendleton County in the district championship in 2012.   Harrison County will look somewhat different this fall with the graduation of eight seniors including leading hitter Marissa Taylor. But the Fillies do return their two kills leaders after Taylor in senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='477091' first='Audrey' last='Dawson'] and senior middle blocker Lillian Watson with 288 and 154 kills, respectively. Other hitters looking to make a contribution are sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='532789' first='Audree' last='Whitaker'] at 6-1 and senior outside hitter Jolie Hill.   Harrison returns twin sisters Lauren and Lexie Highlander. Lauren Highlander is looking to make an impact at outside hitter and Lexie Highlander is looking to take the setter role after dishing out 341 assists last year.   Head coach Bill Faulkner admitted serve receive is the biggest unknown for the Fillies this season. Albeit, he did say Harrison County could surprise teams if they serve receive consistently. Senior libero Owyn McCoy is looking to lead the Fillies there.   Harrison County opens the season Aug. 19 at Augusta at 7 p.m.   Pendleton County (16-14)   The Cats have been the runner-up in the district five years in a row. Marian Rice takes over hoping to help Pendleton County get over the hump.   Rice is counting on three seniors to lead on the court in libero Madison Verst, setter/middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='159375' first='Allison' last='Aulick'] and outside hitter Kearstin Mayer. Verst led the Cats with 543 digs and 66 digs last year with Aulick and Mayer recording team-highs with 204 and 191 kills, respectively. Aulick also had 216 assists and may be asked of more in the setter with the graduation of the leading setter from last year.   Rice said communication throughout the season will be a key for Pendleton County playing as a team this year. Rice said if the team will play like a well-oiled machine if they trust each other on the court.   Pendleton County hosts Mason County on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. to open the season.   Robertson County (16-15)   Ann Grause has led the program for a long time even before the school changed from Deming to Robertson County before the 2012-13 school year. The Devils have been to the region tournament a number of times over her tenure, but the last time came in 2012.   The Devils graduated three seniors from last year's team, but they return a number of stat leaders. [player_tooltip player_id='531315' first='Emma' last='Adamson'] led the Devils with 240 kills last year and Lilly Monroe had 129. Libero Irene Dischar returns after digging up 253 balls last year and setter Carlee Church returns after recording 220 assists.   The Devils travel to Bracken County on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. to open the season.   Nicholas County (13-12)   The Jackets finished with a winning season last year.   They return all their stat leaders searching for their first appearance in the region tournament since 2018. They are led by junior hitter [player_tooltip player_id='765664' first='Morgan' last='Broderick'], sophomore hitter Kylie Earlywine and sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='603807' first='Allison' last='Reid'].   Nicholas County opens the season at Harrison County on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.   39th District   Bracken County (23-16)   Julie Krift guided the Bears to a school record for wins in a season, the first 39th District championship since 2019 and first region tournament win since 2019 as well in her first season leading the program.   The Bears graduated seven seniors from that team, but Krift said they had a great offseason with 16 players from seventh grade to seniors playing club volleyball putting the players without significant varsity experience on a different level. Krift said the returning players are in it for each other and the betterment of the team.   Senior setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='210745' first='Nicole' last='Archibald'] and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212193' first='Macy' last='Lucas'] are returning six-position players. Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='594471' first='Jordan' last='Ahrens'] also returns with senior middle blocker Emma Knott hoping to make a major contribution there. Lucas had 292 kills last year with Ahrens recording 221 to go with 37 blocks and 62 aces.   Juniors Makenzie Rudd, Ashley Stafford and freshman Kyndall Johnson hope to lead as defensive specialists. Other notable players in the rotation are senior outside hitter Braelyn Garvey, junior setter Baylee Wilson, sophomore right side/setter [player_tooltip player_id='535232' first='Rees' last='Hargett'] and freshman outside hitter Izzy Goodman.   Bracken County hosts Robertson County on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. to open the season.   Mason County (19-9)   The win total improved by 15 in Nellie Book's first year leading the program last year.   Book said filling gaps, teamwork and working hard will be keys to the season with a lot of change in the offseason including the graduation of three seniors and some other key players not coming back. The team is relying on senior outside hitter Reagan Anderson, junior middle hitter/setter Makaylynn Crabtree, junior defensive specialist/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='786676' first='Halle' last='Pfeffer'] along with sophomore defensive specialist Hayley Allison to help with the transition. Pfeffer had 176 digs last year and Crabtree had 111 kills.   Mason County hosts Bath County on Aug. 19.   Augusta (6-27)   The Panthers continued to struggle most of last season, but still made it to the 10th Region Tournament for the second straight year.   The graduated three seniors, but do return senior right side hitter Reagan Tackett.   Augusta hosts Harrison County on Aug. 19 to open the season.   St. Patrick (2-15)   The Saints struggled after winning three straight district championships in Evan Bothman's third season guiding the program. The Saints missed the region tournament for the first time since 2019 as a result.   The Saints had just one senior last year. Their leading returning players are senior outside hitter/setter Bria Bauer and senior middle hitter Emma Gallenstein.   St. Patrick opens the season Aug. 20 at Augusta at 7 p.m.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/RyleeBarnes2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-568856" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='586544' first='Rylee' last='Barnes'], Bourbon County</figcaption></figure>   40th District   George Rogers Clark (25-6)   The Cardinals have won the last two district championships under Kainan Hudson's guidance. They graduated five seniors who played big roles in turning around the program and a promising sophomore outside hitter moved. But Hudson said he is confident the team will be looking to compete against every team on the schedule at a high level in addition to putting themselves in position to compete for another district crown and make a run in the region tournament with the program he and his staff have built and the mentality put in place.   Junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212395' first='Teigh' last='Yeast'] returns after recording 302 kills last year. Hudson also said to expect seniors [player_tooltip player_id='486676' first='Gracie' last='Abney'] at outside hitter/defensive specialist and middle hitter Rileigh Reed to be true leaders this year. Hudson also listed senior libero Ava Mardis, a Midway University commit, to have a big season and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='850203' first='Anna' last='Cooper'] to step in at the setter role. Hudson listed two juniors in outside/right side hitter Serenity Elman and defensive specialist Kinlee Keltner, a transfer from Madison Central, as players hoping for huge seasons.   George Rogers Clark opens the season Aug. 22 at home against Robertson County at 7 p.m.   Bourbon County Colonels (10-20)   The win total may have dropped some compared to the first season Lauren Eads led the program in 2022, but the Colonels returned to the region tournament for the first time in two years and gave region power Scott a scare taking the Eagles to five games before falling 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 16-25, 25-27, 15-6).   That battle and the return of a large senior class with eight has the Colonels optimistic coming into the season. Eads said most of them play club ball.   Bourbon County graduated four seniors including the all-around Bethany Simpson, but they return all-around senior [player_tooltip player_id='586544' first='Rylee' last='Barnes']. Barnes has more than 1000 career digs and senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='588579' first='Maci' last='Brown'], who had 377 assists last year and has more than 1000 for her career to guide the 5-1 Bourbon County offense. Seniors Sarah Wells and Ava Kemper will look to make impacts at middle blocker with senior [player_tooltip player_id='734344' first='Jenna' last='Fallis'] returning as a starting outside and junior [player_tooltip player_id='756233' first='Marleigh' last='Estes'] moving back to right side after playing middle blocker last year. Fallis had 126 kills for the Colonels last year. Things start on defense with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='269862' first='Tiffany' last='Jones'].   Eads said the team needs to stay aggressive on offense to have success this year with the strong hitters they have. It is a matter of getting the setter/hitter connections down. Eads said the team got stuck in defensive mode the first two days of the Bluegrass Games sending over too many free balls and easy tips and pushes. Eads said that changed the third day when the Colonels started playing as a team, keeping the energy up on the court and bench, then kept putting balls down resulting in a second place finish in their flight.   Bourbon County hosts East Jessamine on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. to open the season.   Montgomery County (14-20)   The Indians missed the region tournament for the first time since 2010 with a tough 3-2 loss to Bourbon County in the district semifinals.   Montgomery County graduated three seniors, but head coach Bradley Craycraft said the Indians have the talent to make a deep postseason run if they pay attention to detail doing the little things right. Two seniors in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='477089' first='Sara' last='Zink'] and defensive specialist Tia Terpening lead the way with junior all-around hitter [player_tooltip player_id='594516' first='Alexis' last='White'] and sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='603805' first='Baylee' last='Warner'] also hoping to have big seasons. The Indians will be working with a new setter this year as the result of a graduation.   Terpening led the Indians with 464 digs and White had a team-high 361 kills. Zink had 222 kills and 411 digs with Warner tallying 33 solo and 22 assisted blocks.   Montgomery County hosts Lexington Christian on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. to open the season.   Paris (3-24)   The Hounds had a three-game winning streak for the first three wins in program history last year and are hoping for more entering the third season as a program.   Paris did not have any senior last year. Eighth grade setter [player_tooltip player_id='850571' first='Mia' last='Mason'] is a leading returning player after recording 230 assists and 194 digs last year.   Paris hosts St. Patrick on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. in the season opener.   Players to Watch    Minor has dressed on varsity since her seventh grade year and made a huge impact as an eighth grader so it's no surprise she won region player of the year last year. Minor is super athletic and driven. Minor rises up consistently placing balls away from taller defenders, especially near lines. Defenders have a tough time digging her up because she packs so much punch from her feet up. She tips over blockers when they try to double block her. She brings versatility at all six spots for the Eagles. She has good timing on her blocks, smacks down overpassed balls and is also a sound passer and server. Minor had 474 kills, 15 solo, 26 assisted blocks to go with 358 digs and 45 aces for the Eagles last year.     Helm (pictured) is looking to finish off her career on a strong note. Helm does a great job remaining calm under duress and encouraging her teammates. She can hit balls all over the court. Her role changed to setter during club season, but Sullivan said she will not set for Scott this fall. Helm constantly hustles on defense never giving up on balls. Helm said she worked on hitting balls to the back lines, her serving and defense during club season. Helm had 306 kills, 16 assisted blocks, four solo blocks and 87 aces last year.     Neltner has brought versatility and leadership to the program and is hoping to cap off a great career with a bang. Neltner hits the ball hard from both rows using her strong approaches. She makes great adjustments to throw defenses off. Then on defense, she tracks balls down anywhere including far corners. Neltner has really improved her blocking in the club season and it is showing with her timing. Neltner had a team-high 244 kills last year to go with 338 digs and 37 aces for the Mustangs last year.     McIntyre gave the Camels a lot of good things defensively this past fall. She could be counted on for more with the graduation of six seniors from last fall. McIntyre constantly makes nice passes backing up hitters and blockers. She has great form on her serve reception helping the Camels start the offensive attack. She always sends balls over the net with a purpose. She keeps her swinging arm near her body to put more power into balls. McIntyre had 457 digs for the Camels last fall.     Barnes gives the Colonels solid all-around player. Bourbon County head coach Lauren Eads calls her an extremely dedicated athlete for a very good reason. She hustles like crazy after everything. She goes down on her knees after balls and quickly transitions from defender to hitter. Barnes can pound balls all over the court from the front and back rows. Her hits are difficult to dig up when she follows through. Barnes is also a solid server. She had 296 digs, 169 kills and 56 aces for the Colonels last fall. She has more than 1000 career digs.

For all but one year since the current format took shape in 2012, the 10th Region champion has come out of the region's northwestern most 37th District.