Elizabethtown Volleyball Academy 17, 18 Blue Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elizabethtown Volleyball Academy has been a big reason for the rise in talent in the 5th Region over the years and this year's teams are once again fielding some of the best in central Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While a number of 18-and-under teams field mainly seniors, this one comprises of 10 juniors, seniors and one sophomore in John Hardin outside hitter/middle blocker Danielle Ingram.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive specialists/liberos are Thomas Nelson senior Savannah Settles, Breckinridge County senior Avery Hinton and Elizabethtown junior [player_tooltip player_id='533346' first='Grace' last='Godfrey']. Bethlehem junior Allie Thompson is a setter. LaRue County senior Brylee Dobson and Breckinridge County senior [player_tooltip player_id='531320' first='Lilly' last='Perks'] will play defensive specialist or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of North Hardin seniors gives the team some punch in right side/middle hitter Paola Martinez and outside hitter Maya Jackson. Breckinridge County junior [player_tooltip player_id='752909' first='Elizabeth' last='Ball'] will hit from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rikki Chung is the head coach of the team. The next tournament is Feb. 8 and 9 in the Super Slam at MidAmerica East in Louisville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is off to an outstanding 10-1 start having gone 6-0 in the KIVA Icebreaker Tournament before going 4-1 and taking fifth in the 17 Club White Division of the Central Zone Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='761937' first='Lexi' last='Davis'] starts things off with great passes. Thomas Nelson junior [player_tooltip player_id='533368' first='Elle' last='Osborne'] then sets up a number of sound hitters including twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='533370' first='Tori' last='Osborne'] if she's not playing defensive specialist. [player_tooltip player_id='533368' first='Elle' last='Osborne'] could also swing from the right side. Elizabethtown junior MaKenna Brown mainly played opposite hitter during high school season, but could also set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four more sound hitters from the 5th Region will then set up to pound down balls. Two are Central Hardin junior teammates in outside hitter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='212390' first='Klaire' last='Warrell'] and outside hitter/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='591652' first='Jordan' last='Fortner']. The 6-3 Green County junior [player_tooltip player_id='276179' first='Emma' last='Emmons'] comes to EVA after playing for KIVA last year and LaRue County junior right side/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='696289' first='Kinlee' last='McDowell'] gives the team another dimension.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Hardin head coach Bill Rineker coaches the team. The team next plays in the [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] Winterfest on Feb. 8 and 9.</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":["533346"],"_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-679ed5a9d9166"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Godfrey gives the Panthers a sound defensive presence in the back row. She hustles hard after balls, even laying out for one-handed dives when needed to keep balls alive. She has great range to get to balls. Godfrey is also a sound server on top of that. Godfrey had 366 digs and 56 aces to help Elizabethtown go 29-11, win the 17th District title and drive back to the 5th Region championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734335"],"_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-679ed5f3920ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martinez turned into one of the best hitters in the 5th Region this past season for the Trojans. Martinez has a strong approach to the net and outstanding follow-through from all six spots on the court. Martinez finds a number of ways to power balls past and through double blocks. Martinez had 379 kills and 103 digs to help North Hardin go 17-14 this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[752929],"_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-679ed942b4f56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perks did a great job delivering timely kills for the Tigers this past fall. She sends a sizzling cut shot to the opposite line and corner on go routes. Perks also finds different ways to angle balls off blockers and out of bounds for points. Perks was also a sound passer and server for the Tigers. Perks had 146 kills, 254 digs and 57 aces to help the Tigers go 20-9, win the 11th District championship and advance to the 3rd Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591652"],"_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-679ee10fba772"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fortner brought an added dimension to the Central Hardin offense once she became eligible for varsity play. Fortner goes up and explodes through balls with tremendous athleticism. Fortner paints the side and back lines well. Fortner has also turned in a sound blocker for the Bruins. Fortner had 149 kills, 30 assisted and 17 solo blocks, helping Central Hardin go 35-6 and win a second straight 5th Region crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533368"],"_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-679ee48529117"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Osborne (pictured) has an outstanding connection with her hitters putting them in great position to be successful, especially her twin sister. Osborne adjusts well to first contacts then does a variety of sets both long and short. She also takes sound swings and is a great passer for the Generals. Osborne had 137 kills, 386 assists and 255 digs, helping Thomas Nelson go 17-14 on the season.</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. 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