Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club 16s Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group continues to field some of the top talent throughout the state. It is not uncommon for rivals to team up on these squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16-1 Tsunami</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle junior [player_tooltip player_id='486910' first='Ria' last='Furuta'] played defensive specialist and libero in high school and will continue in a similar with this team. Furuta had 470 digs this past fall for the Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'] along with St. Ursula sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480833' first='Rylee' last='Jewell'] will also play defensive specialist. O'Brien will also play outside hitter with Jewell and Armstrong also 3playing the right side and middle blocker, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven Hills sophomore Jacqueline Katuska and McNicholas sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480835' first='Maria' last='Schulte'] will set. Katuska will also play on the right side and Schulte will play on the outside. Schulte finished fourth in the Co-Ed Greater Catholic League with 525 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four hitters provide the team with solid height. St. Ursula sophomore outside/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='480820' first='Lola' last='Waleskowski'] is the tallest at 6-1. Notre Dame sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] will also play both spots with Anderson sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480824' first='Paige' last='Murray'] and McNicholas sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney'] both at 5-11 playing middle or outside hitter spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Collins is the head coach of the team. The team went 3-1 in the Early Bird Shootout in Indianapolis on Jan. 12. The team plays in the three-day Nike Classic starting Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Open Division at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Fieldhouse USA Polaris.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16-2 Tide</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport Central Catholic sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] and Conner sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'] are the big names in this group. Koerber had 326 assists, 258 kills, 258 digs and 63 aces for the Cougars this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Notre Dame sophomore Gabrielle O'Keefe will also play libero or defensive specialist with Seton sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='487258' first='Reagan' last='Dolan'] also setting. Dolan can also play outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Notre Dame sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='484448' first='Tatum' last='Gabbard'] at middle blocker and [player_tooltip player_id='484450' first='Leah' last='Bowman'] at right side/outside hitter also grace the roster along with Anderson sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='763929' first='Alexis' last='Braddock'] at outside/right side hitter. Two McNicholas sophomores in Middle blocker/right side hitter Josephine Mayfield and Middle hitter/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='846383' first='Annabel' last='Comer'] round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The head coach of this team is Denny Murphy. The team went 3-2 in the Early Bird Shootout in Indianapolis on Jan. 12. The team plays in the three-day Nike Classic 16 Club Division with the first game at 2:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16-3 Typhoon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two setters in Bishop Brossart sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] and Holy Cross sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484458' first='Lucy' last='Lenihan'] are multi-year starters for the high school teams. Rebholz could also play defensive specialist and Lenihan outside hitter. Heritage Academy sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='212299' first='Alexis' last='Stephens'] also made a contribution on varsity and will play middle blocker or outside hitter for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team lists two libero/defensive specialists in McNicholas sophomore Allison Spiller and Seton sophomore Madyson Kremm. McNicholas sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='727166' first='Grace' last='Tierney'] and New Richmond sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='514904' first='Sidney' last='Matthews'] will also play defensive speciialist. Both also play outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two St. Henry teammates in right side/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='727134' first='Kayleigh' last='McCormack'] and middle/right side hitter Addison Mann grace the roster. Ryle sophomore middle hitter/right side hitter Pyper Sandman rounds out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greg Partin is the head coach of this team. The team went 1-3 in the Early Bird Shootout and next plays in the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis on Jan. 25 and 26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16-4 Thunder</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boone County sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='486908' first='Maddie' last='Yelton'] and Campbell County middle hitter Lydia Fry started on varsity last season. Fry had 45 solo and 81 assisted blocks for the Camels this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixie Heights sophomore Eyden Moats is the libero/defensive specialist. St. Henry sophomore Kali McCane and Notre Dame sophomore Chelsea Stanley will also play defensive specialist. McCane will also set and Stanley will also play middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood sophomore Megan Goodwin, Lawrenceburg sophomore Carly Craig and Notre Dame sophomore Lily Isler will all play outside or right side hitter. Notre Dame sophomore Asia Payne and Lawrenceburg sophomore Addison Mettler will play middle blocker or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michelle Papas is the head coach of this team. The team also went 1-3 in the Early Bird Shootout and next plays in the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis on Jan. 25 and 26.</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":["480820"],"_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-678b1761587e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waleskowski played a big role in leading the Bulldogs to the Division II state championship giving them quality time on the front row. Waleskowski has a nasty cutter to the right line. She can smack it from all over the net, especially the creases. Waleskowski makes things happen when the team is out of system. She hits balls off blockers and out of bounds. Waleskowski finished fourth on the deep team with 168 kills, helping the Bulldogs go 23-4 and snag a share of the Girls Greater Catholic League crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480824"],"_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-678b17615886f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murray has the potential to become a sound hitter this club season and the next two years for Anderson. She has a nice approach to the net. She can put power into it or take the short sets in the middle and tap them to open spots on the court. Murray has the size to help control the net defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484450"],"_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-678b1761588da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bowman has impressive timing as a lefty, especially from the right side. She angles balls off blockers and can hit tough balls to the back corner. Bowman just needs to develop some quickness and she could contribute there these next two seasons for the Pandas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484451"],"_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-678b17615896c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rebholz has quality character both on and off the court. Rebholz has continued to develop as a setter since earning varsity experience as an eighth grader. Rebholz does a variety of sets including the back set. She understands her hitters well and puts them in position to succeed. Her court awareness came a long way from her freshman year. Rebholz has also turned into a sound passer and server for Brossart. Rebholz had 890 assists, 234 digs and 44 aces for the Mustangs this past fall, helping them win another All "A" 10th Region crown and drive to the region championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486908"],"_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-678b1ae7d9bbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yelton (pictured) is a hustler for the Rebels all over the court. She dives on the floor and makes pancake digs then quickly transitions to offense. She does a variety of sets both long and short and throws off defenders with back taps and pushes to the corners. Yelton had 426 assists and 169 digs for Boone County this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->