MAVA 17 Select, Travel Team Overviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MidAmerica Volleyball Association 17 teams generally see some of the more talented players from the Louisville hotbed flock there and form solid teams and this year is not different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some new faces from a year ago when many played on the 16 Select team. However, the size is still there with seven players standing 5-10 or taller including three six footers headed to the Southeast Conference. They are Ballard junior middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'] at 6-6 and [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'] at 6-4 along with Whitefield Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='479306' first='Taylor' last='Wathen'] at 6-3. Grivna and Wathen are committed to South Carolina and Liening is committed to Alabama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='261118' first='Kylee' last='Sells'] did not play high school ball in 2024, but she's back in club at libero and defensive specialist. Seymour junior [player_tooltip player_id='261045' first='Norah' last='Campbell'] also hopes to contribute there along with Mercy junior [player_tooltip player_id='479300' first='Jenna' last='Hawkins']. Louisville Collegiate junior Jordan Jones and Ballard junior [player_tooltip player_id='629192' first='Marleigh' last='Tripp'] will play outside hitter and defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louisville Central junior [player_tooltip player_id='751391' first='Sydney' last='Makle-Bradley'] hopes to take big swings from the right side. The setters are two Indiana juniors in Seymour's [player_tooltip player_id='401486' first='Anna' last='Fish'] and New Albany's [player_tooltip player_id='401989' first='Addison' last='Vaughn'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dan Palmer is the team's head coach. Next up is the MAVA Club Challenge on Feb. 22 and 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry County junior middle/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='594447' first='Karma' last='Price'] brings a lot of power to this team. Ballard junior [player_tooltip player_id='479283' first='Ahtziry' last='Medina'] has played libero with Whitefield Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='594606' first='Sophia' last='Nord'] and Kentucky Country Day junior Ella Coartney also helping out there. Seneca junior [player_tooltip player_id='479295' first='Jordyn' last='Kiser'] will also play there or setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seneca junior [player_tooltip player_id='582259' first='Izzy' last='Probus'] will play on the outside or defensive specialist with Whitefield Academy junior Isabella Nord playing setter or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three talented hitters round out the roster. The 5-10 Male junior Madison Wright plays middle blocker. Assumption junior Lauren Fogle plays outside with Sacred Heart 5-11 junior Jordan McCormick-Reed giving the team an option on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly Hollis is the team's head coach. The team is 14-6 on the season. Next up is the MAVA Club Challenge on Feb. 22 and 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has some junior players that may break through as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six have high school teammates on the squad. They are Henry County juniors [player_tooltip player_id='751426' first='Abigail' last='Adams'] at defensive specialist and 5-5 setter Hannah Pate along with outside hitters Emily Penrod and Bayleigh Downs from Spencer County. Male also has two players on the team in outside hitter Laila Tillman and setter/right side hitter Jazlyn Caldwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery Tandy hoes to give the team sound play in the middle. Assumption junior Aleks Weleski hopes to start things off at libero/defensive specialist. Oldham County junior middle/opposite hitter Raegan Rye and Atherton junior outside/right side hitter Olivia Goff round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenna McCauley is the team's head coach. The team also plays in the MAVA Club Challenge on Feb. 22 and 23.</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":["751391"],"_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-67b3812729648"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Makle-Bradley may be going under the radar with the loaded size and talent on the Select team, but she could be a huge find for someone with her size and determination. She has shown she can handle hard-hit balls and range quickly to cover soft ones. Then she quickly transitions to offense where she takes great shots angling balls off blockers for points. She also does a great job forming double blocks and making things happen on tandems.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479300"],"_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-67b38127296a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hawkins has spent most of her career as a six-rotation player, but is transitioning to a defensive specialist role as Mercy takes advantage of its depth. Hawkins has played at libero during club season and does a great job making consistent two to three-point passes. Hawkins dives after balls and makes quick adjustments to track down balls. Hawkins had 154 digs, helping the Jaguars go 28-15 and win the 24th District championship plus another 6th Region crown making it to state for the 44th straight year and finishing state runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479283"],"_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-67b39b741e96a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Medina comes in and gives teams sound rotations on defense. She squares her arms up with balls to put the teams in a good offensive rhythm. She continuously shuffles her feet and quickly moves forward on soft hits. Medina had 156 digs for the Bruins in the fall helping them to a school record 29-8 record, a 28th District crown and 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":["594447"],"_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-67b39b741e9bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Price is a sound hitter in the 8th Region. She scorches balls to the back row on one play before tipping it the next play. Price gives opponents a lot to consider. Price has a tough line shot. Price had 215 kills for the Cats this past fall, helping Henry County win a second straight 31st District championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751426"],"_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-67b39e1a39c0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adams may be the most underrated libero in the 8th Region. Adams does a sound job anticipating balls and leaning the directions needed to make sound digs and start the Henry County offense. That includes going down in what looks like sitting positions. She does a great job covering the net. Adams had 431 digs this past fall, helping Henry County to a second straight 31st District title.</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 -->