Elizabethtown Volleyball Academy 15s Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two 15s teams from the Elizabethtown Volleyball Academy show a combination of players that made splashes at the varsity level as freshmen or even eighth graders along with some hoping to shine during club then continue an upward trend in the final years in high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Hardin Christian eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='711865' first='Sophia' last='Miles'] saw a lot of action as both a defensive specialist and outside hitter. She'll mainly play defensive specialist for this team along with Elizabethtown freshman [player_tooltip player_id='661582' first='Layla' last='Newsome'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown freshman [player_tooltip player_id='611962' first='Stella' last='Janes'] will primarily set for this team after doing that and playing some opposite for the high school team in the fall. Bullitt Central freshman Alivia Reynolds could also set if not play defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Hardin freshman Kylie Wells and Green County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='612104' first='Caroline' last='Goff'] made contributions at outside hitter during the high school season and hope to do so on this club. Goff also plays middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown sophomore Haylee McAlister saw a good bit of varsity action at middle blocker and freshman teammate [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton'] hopes to help out there or at middle blocker. Thomas Nelson freshman Anna Claire Ballard hopes to contribute at middle or right side hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown head coach Bart Catlett coaches this team. The team has played in three tournaments so far and goes to Sevierville, Tennessee for the K2 Presidents Day Bash on Feb. 15 and 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only one of these players saw any varsity action in Meade County freshman defensive specialist Zoey Gonzales. Meade County freshman middle hitter Makayla Wiles joins her. John Hardin sophomore Renee Bassett or North Hardin freshman Brooklyn Trujillo could set. Trujillo could also play defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the team comes from either Elizabethtown or Central Hardin. The Elizabethtown players are Reagan Highbaugh, Leah Heiwig and Gabby Frank. Representing the Bruins are Sophia Warrell and Taylor Greenwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylar Ray is the team's head coach. The next tournament is the Super Slam in Louisville on Saturday and Sunday.</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":["612186"],"_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-67a423a08dbed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wells emerged as one of the top freshmen hitters in the 5th Region this past season. John Hardin head coach Walter Hampton attributed that to a high volleyball IQ and remarkable skill on the court. Hampton said Wells uses a great mix of power, accuracy and finesse to hit balls with power then mix in tips and roll shots place balls away from defenders. Hampton also commended Well in her ability to back off the net and play sound defense in addition to her exceptional blocking and tough serving to specific zones on the court. Hampton added she is also great on serve reception consistently maintaining precision and control. Wells had 162 kills and 174 digs for the Bulldogs in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612104"],"_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-67a423a08dc80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goff came around to help take pressure off Green County's top hitter last season. Goff is productive from both the middle and outside. Goff is especially good at making things happen out of system. She continuously finds ways to hit balls off blockers for big kills and is a strong blocker. Goff had 121 kills, 31 solo and 29 assisted blocks, helping the Dragons win the All "A" 5th Region title and drive back to the 5th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748731"],"_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-67a423a08dccc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Singleton showed a lot of promise during her eighth grade season seeing 20 games on varsity. Singleton showed she can come up with big kills in key moments for the Panthers. Singleton does a good job making in-air adjustments to push balls away from defenders. Singleton can also hit balls off strong blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611962"],"_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-67a425457342a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janes (pictured) could turn into a sound all-around player for the Panthers by the time it is over and done with. The lefthanded Janes hustles hard after balls to keep plays alive then quickly transitions to offense and takes nice swings from the right side. Janes will only improve with more experience.</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 -->