State Tournament Preview

<!-- 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>Now that the 16 region champions have been crowned including four first-time champions, it is a matter of seeing which eight teams will make it to Friday's quarterfinals at George Rogers Clark in Winchester.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three of the state's Dominant Five have once again made it back to state. The favorite may be in that group that consists of the Notre Dame Pandas from northern Kentucky along with the traditional Louisville powers Assumption Rockets and Mercy Jaguars. They've withstood challenges from various opponents left and right for a long time claiming a combined 40 of the 45 state championships with Notre Dame winning the first one in 1979.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig broke down each of the first round games that take place Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage Christian (24-5) at Bowling Green</strong> <strong>(33-6), 7 p.m. CST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors won their first region championship in school history and earned the right to host the first-round game, but they drew a huge challenge in the Purples led by the 6-4 Louisville commit middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey, the KVCA 4th Region Player of the Year, uses her size well with 560 kills on the season averaging between five and six per game to go with 38 solo blocks and 54 assisted blocks and has been effective against some of the state's better middle blockers. Bailey landed 22 kills to go with two solo and two assisted blocks on the 6-3 Army commit [player_tooltip player_id='159378' first='Corrine' last='Blackburn'] and teammates in Bowling Green's 3-0 win against St. Henry on Oct. 19 and had 24 kills, six assisted and two solo blocks in Bowling Green's 3-0 win over Elizabethtown led by the 6-6 Florida commit [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Jessica' last='Smallwood'] four days prior to that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'] sets up the Purples offense well mixing in sets to [player_tooltip player_id='276175' first='Morgan' last='Rockrohr'] and Addie Kincheloe. [player_tooltip player_id='477191' first='Claire' last='Lawless'] leads the the Purples defense with 288 digs and 91 aces. Bowling Green has won nine in a row entering the game. Olivia Arauz and Leyla Spurlock have also come up huge for the Purples defensively. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'] is out for the season for the Purples after showing great promise, but the Purples are not rushing her back as others have stepped forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors will need big games to pull the upset in this one. [player_tooltip player_id='734283' first='Mya' last='Goodwin'] leads the Warriors in kills, digs and aces with [player_tooltip player_id='535284' first='Makenzie' last='McCarty'] and Hadlee Hayes leading in assists. Allison Craft has proven to be a good passer with Katie Cansler and Grace Conley providing good options offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owensboro (24-14) at McCracken County (34-5), 7 p.m. CST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have been to the state tournament 12 years in a row while the Devils are making their first appearance in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCracken County brings great size to the table in two 6-1 seniors [player_tooltip player_id='159358' first='Addison' last='Hart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='531304' first='Elizabeth' last='Gilbert'], who have 463 and 283 kills on the season respectively. Hart won the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association 1st Region Player of the Year honors. [player_tooltip player_id='757541' first='Taylor' last='Dugan'] does a good job setting them with [player_tooltip player_id='533342' first='Penny' last='Kirkham'] leading the way in digs. [player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'] also gives the Mustangs a nice defensive presence with Emily Hatfield and [player_tooltip player_id='533343' first='Reagan' last='Hill'] adding to the McCracken County offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='588572' first='Addison' last='Travis'] leads the Devils at the net with 440 kills and needs to find ways to contain Hart and Gilbert. [player_tooltip player_id='484315' first='Anna' last='Travis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477206' first='Ava' last='Fincher'] have given the Devils different looks at setter distributing the ball to the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='612018' first='Ayrish' last='Barksdale'] and Rose Larsen. [player_tooltip player_id='612019' first='June' last='Larsen'] and Macey Kahn have also come up big defensively for the Devils this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption (31-8) at Central Hardin (35-5), 7 p.m.</strong> <strong>EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets survived a gauntlet in the 7th Region Tournament and must overcome a tough road challenge to go back to Winchester and defend their state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption has looked different with the graduation of key players off last year's team, but having two dynamic defensive specialists in [player_tooltip player_id='172945' first='Kristen' last='Simon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Emily' last='Keiran'] has been a great start with 401 and 323 digs, respectively. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='172952' first='Emilee' last='Fuller'] has distributed the ball well to [player_tooltip player_id='172951' first='Bailey' last='Blair'], [player_tooltip player_id='172950' first='Emma' last='Barnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='212398' first='Ella' last='Askin'], the 6-2 [player_tooltip player_id='477120' first='Janie' last='Eichberger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe']. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] has blossomed defensively and been a good offensive addition to the Rockets this year. Blair leads the Rockets with 347 kills and 61 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Hardin features a solid setter in KVCA 5th Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='477116' first='Kati' last='Vest'] with 1,071 assists and [player_tooltip player_id='159346' first='Samantha' last='Nelson'] leads the defense with 441 digs. Vest distributes balls all over the court to Sadie Atcher, [player_tooltip player_id='212390' first='Klaire' last='Warrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='579201' first='Larkin' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591652' first='Jordan' last='Fortner']. The Bruins will need to get their hands on balls and disrupt things at the net to advance in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Oldham (28-9) at Mercy (25-14), 7 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have won all 11 meetings between the two historically with the last one coming last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have the size and versatility to move on to Winchester led by sisters [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] and Berkely Baxter. [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] leads North Oldham with 357 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='477099' first='Lucy' last='Proud'] gives the Mustangs depth at setter with [player_tooltip player_id='484260' first='Lilah' last='Anthony'], [player_tooltip player_id='706522' first='Vita' last='Sensenbrenner'] and Josie Scales adding to the North Oldham offense. Campbell Floyd provides solid defense for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was no surprise that [player_tooltip player_id='172954' first='Madisyn' last='Green'] leads the Jaguars defensively with 474 digs and [player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden'] leads in kills with 301. It's just been a matter of things coming together around them. [player_tooltip player_id='245633' first='Maia' last='Marin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479299' first='Addison' last='Davis'] have led in setting, but [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] has jumped into that mix recently. The likes of [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'], [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] have formed into good hitters with [player_tooltip player_id='479300' first='Jenna' last='Hawkins'] giving the Jaguars solid defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexington Catholic (26-6) at Notre Dame (32-3), 7 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights head up Interstate 75 for their first-ever state tournament game against one of the Dominant Five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pandas once again pose a challenge with their size, depth and ball control. KVCA 9th Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'] leads Notre Dame defensively with 590 digs and [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'] is second with 232. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] sets balls all over the place to [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'], [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz']. [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'] have taken big swings at times for Notre Dame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights also have balance in all facets of the game. It's a matter of whether they can slow down the fast-paced Notre Dame attack or not. [player_tooltip player_id='741875' first='Maddy' last='Warner'] leads the defense with 343 digs with setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] recording 810 assists to a number of hitters led by [player_tooltip player_id='178869' first='Addie' last='Lowe'] with 424 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='212387' first='Ella' last='Blackburn'] is second for Lexington Catholic with 224 kills. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603862' first='Shay' last='Pope'] has been a good addition for LexCath this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Jessamine (24-16) at Scott (29-11), 7 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two met in the same round in 2020, but on the opposite floor with the Colts winning in three on the way to a state semifinal finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles will do everything they can to win their first state tournament game since going to the state semifinals in 2014. Two-time 10th Region Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'] leads the way with [player_tooltip player_id='477092' first='Brooklyn' last='Helm'], [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'] and [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'] giving the Eagles a balanced attack from setter [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby']. [player_tooltip player_id='477094' first='Elise' last='Manhardt'] has given Scott solid play at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game could come down to blocking and the Eagles excel at that. Minor, Justice and [player_tooltip player_id='586647' first='Jaeda' last='Menfee'] have had a number of big ones this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering the season, West Jessamine head coach Bill Bird knew he could count on setter [player_tooltip player_id='477143' first='Callaway' last='Marsh'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='588569' first='Sienna' last='Schantz'] to lead the way. He said he just wondered how the young hitters would come around. They came around well, helping the Colts survive a tough challenge from Southwestern in the region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] leads the Colts with 316 kills with five others recording at least 104 on the season including Anna Boikov and [player_tooltip player_id='779174' first='Tori' last='Daleng']. [player_tooltip player_id='608158' first='Taylor' last='Snowden'], [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'] and Riley Cissell have given the Colts nice play defensively. Daleng has especially been a force at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paintsville (25-11) at Whitley County (28-10), 6 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels have won two first round games in the last two years while the Tigers are searching for the first state tournament win in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='477088' first='Bailee' last='Porter'] has set up the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269735' first='Olivia' last='Maynard'] well for Paintsville. Porter has 1,121 assists with Kinner and Maynard smacking down 622 and 527 kills, respectively. Jenna Ousley and Sarah Ward lead the Paintsville defense with Annabelle Blankenship and Mallory May contributing at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitley County survived a tough battle with Corbin to make it back to the state tournament. The Colonels have some size at the net with 6-3 sophomore Aubree Clemens and [player_tooltip player_id='477138' first='Addison' last='Siler'], who have 320 and 270 kills, respectively on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] sets them up well with [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] leading the Whitley County defense. Kirra Vance and Chandra Price bring the Colonels versatility with Courtney Claxton adding to the defensive effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashland Blazer (33-6) at Knott County Central (30-9), 7 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is a matchup of a team making its first state tournament appearance since 2011 and one making its first appearance period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kittens won the 16th for the first time since 2011 led by setter [player_tooltip player_id='159393' first='Grace' last='Clark'] - the KVCA 16th Region Player of the Year. [player_tooltip player_id='782955' first='Sydney' last='Mertz'] sets sometimes to allow Clark to do other things. Karley Sperry leads Ashland defensively with a number of other such as [player_tooltip player_id='782951' first='Anniston' last='Mertz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman'] contributing there. [player_tooltip player_id='741511' first='Olivia' last='Wiley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741516' first='Mena' last='Pittman'] bring diversity to the Kittens with [player_tooltip player_id='477129' first='Sadie' last='Chaffins'] adding to the offensive mix. Gabby Karle has given Ashland big blocks this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first round rotation schedule worked well for the Patriots as they get to host their first ever state tournament game. [player_tooltip player_id='159392' first='Ellie' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] split the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='172935' first='Faith' last='Pollard'] leading the way offensively with 472 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='159310' first='Sydney' last='Stidham'] leading the way defensively with 321 digs. Akasia Bentley and Ava Waddell bring versatility to the Patriots with [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'] also being a force at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Bracket Link: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kyvb24?id=tournament_220200">https://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kyvb24?id=tournament_220200</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477191"],"_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-6728511c21853"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawless (pictured) has a tough lethal floating serve that throws opponents off with the unique trajectories. Lawless provides valuable defense for the Purples. She anticipates balls well and makes solid forward passes to set up the Bowling Green offense. She patrols the middle of the floor and can reach backwards over her shoulders to make good first touches if necessary. Lawless has shown she can set up hitters out of system when needed. Lawless leads Bowling Green with 288 digs and 91 aces to go with 84 assists on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477206"],"_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-6728511c218b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fincher brings diversity to the Devils. She sets up the hitters nicely, but is not afraid to tap balls over on the second touch to throw defenses off. Fincher does a great job winning jousts at the net. Fincher has been able to focus more on hitting and defense this year with the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='484315' first='Anna' last='Travis'] at setter. Fincher also gives the Devils solid play blocking and serving. Fincher has 150 kills, 389 assists, 228 digs, 36 solo blocks and 40 aces on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["544366"],"_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-6728511c21900"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Randol has emerged as a solid setter for the Jaguars this season. Randol has connected with the Mercy hitters putting them in position to succeed and has been a valuable defender in the Mercy rotation. She lunges after balls using one arm to often dig up balls and covers soft touches well. Setter dumps do not fool her easily. Randol has 246 assists and 75 digs on the season for the Jaguars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603862"],"_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-6728bfbf8df5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pope has been a big addition to the Knights this year. She helps teammates receive one-on-one opportunities at the net with her size and ability to smack short sets to different parts of the court. Pope gives the Knights versatility from the middle of the net and the pins. Pope also helps LexCath control the net with her blocking and can make good passes when needed. Pope has 100 kills, 21 solo and eight assisted blocks on the season for the Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741511"],"_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-6728d14b3f79c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiley has been a huge weapon on the outside and defensively for the Kittens this season. She's not afraid to take a sidestep before smacking balls away from defenders. Wiley delivers hits a number of ways including pushes to the sideline. Wiley makes good passes then quickly transitions to offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->