Woodford County Invitational Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Attend the Top 250 Expo 12/1 in Wilder, KY! Use coupon code "GrahamExpo2024" at checkout for $10 off registration fee!</strong> Here's the&nbsp;link to the event page:&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1299/register/kentucky-top-250-expo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://events.prepdig.com/e/1299/register/kentucky-top-250-expo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Learning to be successful often means making adjustments to things you do not have control over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host Woodford County Yellow Jackets did that to win their own invitational going 5-0 over the two-day event. The Yellow Jackets (15-8 overall) won four games Saturday defeating Bryan Station (12-14) twice including the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both won their pool play games Friday then survived Gold Bracket semifinals to make it to the title game. Woodford County downed John Hardin, 2-1 (25-18, 18-25, 15-10) and Bryan Station knocked off Marion County, 2-1 (27-26, 13-25, 15-12). Woodford County beat Bryan Station, 2-0 (25-20, 25-15) in pool play then 2-0 (25-15, 25-23) in the title game in a game that saw standout hitters [player_tooltip player_id='212357' first='Kamya' last='Mahorn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212249' first='Cameron' last='Owens'] pound down balls. Mahorn unofficially had 13 kills in the title game and Owens unofficially had nine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing teams had to do is quickly rebound from tough losses. Henry County had beaten Bourbon County, 2-0 in two tight 27-26 games on Friday. The Cats rallied down 23-14 in the second game to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County (17-12) came back on Friday and battled Woodford County in a 2-1 (25-11, 24-26, 17-15) loss before besting Anderson County, 2-0 (25-22, 25-15) in the first Silver bracket game then beating Henry County, 2-1 in the next game. The Colonels nearly came back after being down big in that second game. The Colonels have the most wins in a season in Lauren Eads' third season as head coach and are continuing to hang in there until senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='587442' first='Ava' last='Kemper'] returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion County (15-12) won both pool play games then had to rebound in the gold bracket against 5th Region rival John Hardin. The Knights did it in solid fashion, 2-0 (25-14, 25-15).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County and Bryan Station were originally scheduled to be in separate pools. Woodford County had Marion County, John Hardin and Bourbon County in Pool A and Bryan Station had Anderson County, Boyle County and Henry County in Pool B. However, head coach Eric Kenoyer confirmed Boyle County (23-8) had to drop out because of overscheduling. Woodford County and Bourbon County stayed in Pool A with Bryan Station and Henry County moving over to Pool A and three games took place Friday with each playing a total of five games. Anderson County, John Hardin and Marion County did not come over until Saturday playing twice Saturday morning in Pool B for a guaranteed four games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of players had good games in the tournament. They're trying to set tones for their teams for the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":699956,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701ca664d51c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mahorn is sound in many different ways for the Yellow Jackets. Mahorn delivers kills in different ways. That includes soft shots toward the line near the net. She sees defenses then makes adjustments in the air to put them down. Mahorn is a versatile player that makes crisp passes, blocks hard shots or at keeps them alive with touches and even has big aces. Mahorn constantly keeps her teammates motivated both vocally and through her play. Mahorn said remembering she's part of a family has helped her not be so hard on herself when she makes a mistake. Mahorn came into Friday leading Woodford County with 290 kills to go with 151 digs, 36 aces and 13 solo blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":699962,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Peyton Samples","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodford County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d11923027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samples had a lot of good serves keeping Bryan Station out of rhythm in the championship game. She is a hustler defensively trying to anticipate where balls are going and line up her arms to them to make good caroms to the setters. Samples came into the day leading Woodford County with 182 digs to go with 22 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":699964,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emorey Metzger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodford County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Alpha Performance Volleyball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d119230af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Metzger is one of two solid setters for the Yellow Jackets. The coaching staff can ride her when she's hitting her spots. She knows the strengths of the hitters, especially Mahorn and puts her feet in position to make the sets for the hitters to put balls down. Metzger also helps Woodford County slow balls down at the net. Metzger had a team-high 251 assists to go with nine solo blocks entering Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212249"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":699965,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d11923106"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One can tell Owens has put a lot of time into her form because balls go flying to the ground off her hands from any spot near the net. She goes up high and finishes strong. Owens also uses her size to time up blocks. Owens continuously makes plays happen when the Defenders go out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401244"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d11923151"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Porter does a good job putting herself in position to make solid first contracts. Porter squares her arms up to balls and does a nice job covering the net for blocks. She can lunge forward quickly on tipped balls. Porter knows to find the power hitters when the Defenders are out of system. Porter came into the tournament leading the Defenders with 193 digs to go with 25 aces and 43 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":699973,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d7e52d725"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas consistently gives the Knights chances to win with her solid all-around play. Thomas takes good steps toward the net and does well reading defenses to make the necessary in-air adjustments to put balls down. Thomas is also a sound passer providing the Knights with solid net coverage. Thomas came into the tournament with 229 kills and 192 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":699974,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='734344' first='Jenna' last='Fallis']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bourbon County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Alpha Performance Volleyball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d7e52d7b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fallis is an experienced, reliable hitter for the Colonels. Teams sometimes think she's going cross-court line, only for her to hit it to the near back row. She constantly tries to find ways to hit balls away from defenders. Fallis is a righty, but agreed she fools defenders by quickly tapping balls down with her left hand because they think it's going one way, but goes another way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d7e52d7f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Price gives the Cats great chances to win when she gets her swings in. She can hit balls to different parts of the court. Price does not give up on balls and her teammates often take notice then try to do the same. Price came into the tournament leading Henry County with 142 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533344"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701d7e52d833"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore is doing a good job trying to carry the load for the Bulldogs. Moore can hit to all parts of the court from both pins and the middle. Moore puts great arc on her spikes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->