MAVA 15 Select, Travel Team Outlooks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams often display a lot of upcoming talent and this year is not any different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ballard Bruins have been on the rise in recent years and two of the players on this team played a key role in leading them to the school record for win in a season at 29-8 overall. They are freshmen 5-8 setter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='752334' first='Ruby' last='Tennen'] and 5-8 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='752300' first='Journey' last='Gibson']. A third Ballard teammate in 5-10 middle blocker Alaina Flynn saw action in five games on varsity this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart is also represented well on this team starting with two defensive specialists in Payton Baron and Caroline Leith. The third Valkyrie is 5-8 middle blocker/outside hitter Caroline Isaac. Christian Academy-Louisville freshman Celia Harvey is the setter and Collins 6-0 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='776666' first='Sasha' last='Cox'] gives the team size at middle and outside hitter. The 5-11 outside hitter Brooke Holdcraft and North Oldham 5-8 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='752339' first='Kayla' last='Dickhaut'] round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has finished third in two tournaments so far this season. Daniel Gumm is the head coach. The team plays in the MAVA Club Challenge at Louisville on Saturday and Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is off to a hot 21-3 start claiming the 15s Division of the Crossroads MLK Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard freshman 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id='783574' first='Gabby' last='Stinson'] is a prime candidate to take over at setter this fall. She's joined by fellow Ballard freshman Jazmyn Hammond. Shelby County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='753691' first='Carrie' last='Dreher'] gives the team some pop at outside hitter and Sacred Heart freshman Kenna Cooper is a defensive specialist. Rounding out the roster are Male freshman Desiree Samuels, Asher Welsh, Maddy Marrs, Ashlyn Berry, Stella Reed and Camryn Kidwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Mullins is the team's head coach. This team plays in the MAVA Club Challenge this Saturday and Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands Latin freshman setter Natalie Stosberg leads this team after recording 294 assists last year. She'll set up the likes of Sacred Heart outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='516010' first='Maggie' last='Kamer'] and Eminence freshman outside hitter Gracie Hartman. Hartman will also play defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Hardin freshman [player_tooltip player_id='749345' first='Kaylynn' last='Curry'] will also set. Caroline Hardin, Brooke Stasko, [player_tooltip player_id='783453' first='Avery' last='Jennings'], Paisley Cochran, [player_tooltip player_id='847132' first='Edelen' last='Travis'] and Alyssa Scalf round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samantha Armantrout is the team's head coach. The team plays in the MAVA Club Challenge this 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":["752300"],"_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-67b6ae5d0e9c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibson (pictured) moved up to the varsity level later in the season and made a huge impact on the outside for the Bruins. Gibson has a great follow-through on her swings and the team is trying to take advantage of her athleticism. Gibson will only improve throughout club season and make a bigger impact this fall. She had 107 kills, helping Ballard go a school record 29-8 with a 28th District crown and an appearance in the 7th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752334"],"_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-67b6b02941546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tennen may have flown under the radar a bit on this loaded team, but her contributions did not go unnoticed. Tennen gave Ballard quality play on first touches. Tennen squares her arms up to balls well and lets Ballard's lethal offensive rhythm take place. Tennen is also turning into a sound server. Tennen had 154 digs and 49 aces last fall, helping Ballard go 29-8 with a 28th District crown and an appearance in the 7th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752339"],"_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-67b6b2c04d7f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dickhaut could be a real force on the club and high school scenes once she develops her arm speed. She is a lefty that gives blockers and defenders tough angles to defend. She hits cross court on one play then taps it to the side on the next play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753691"],"_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-67b6b2c04d8a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dreher has tremendous potential for the Rockets. Dreher hits the ball with force to a number of places on the court, constantly keeping defenders guessing. Dreher sees the floor then makes things happen from both the pins and the middle of the net. She paints the lines well.</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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