Alpha Performance Volleyball Club 17s, 18s teams overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This club located in Georgetown formed in 2019 by Director Becca Just in addition to Michael Ortman has contributed to the growth of volleyball in central Kentucky. The first season saw 10 teams and the teams had to practice at local schools in the area. The teams train these days at the Alpha Training Center in Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.81</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has 10 players consisting of six seniors and four juniors. Two of the seniors in outside hitter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='486676' first='Gracie' last='Abney'] and defensive specialist Ava Mardis come from George Rogers Clark. A third player from George Rogers Clark is junior defensive specialist Kinlee Keltner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two players come from Madison Central. They are senior defensive specialist/libero [player_tooltip player_id='523551' first='Makayla' last='Stolz'] and junior outside hitter Maribeth Wilson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankfort Christian senior Grace Smith is another defensive specialist who had 108 digs last year. The two setters are Breathitt County junior [player_tooltip player_id='212196' first='Audrynn' last='Hamilton'] and Paul Laurence Dunbar senior Randia Jundi. Henry Clay senior middle blocker Zion Murray and Paris junior outside hitter Callie Ball round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team may be struggling on the whole, but did take 7th out of 44 teams in the 17-18. The head coach is Erris Pierson. The next tournament is the 18U National championships from April 10-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.71</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has some recognizable names from the area starting with the dynamic Franklin County junior libero/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='212394' first='Lauren' last='Parker']. She is joined in the back by Scott County junior [player_tooltip player_id='755070' first='Neala' last='Shook'] and Frederick Douglass junior [player_tooltip player_id='663275' first='Lilly' last='Cowing']. The two setters are Bryan Station junior [player_tooltip player_id='768308' first='Nyalie' last='Locke'] and Rowan County junior Kailyn Tackett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott County junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='765671' first='Allie' last='McClanahan'] brings versatility to the team along with two other junior outside hitters in Franklin County's [player_tooltip player_id='397718' first='Alana' last='Romero-Lozano'] and Rylie Roby from Frederick Douglass. Nicholas County junior [player_tooltip player_id='765664' first='Morgan' last='Broderick'] and Montgomery County junior Janelle Miller give the team power in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rachel Murphy is the team's head coach. The team is three games above .500 on the season. The team finished first in the 16/17s Division of the Elizabethtown MLK Invite and second out of 32 teams in the 17 Club White Division of the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.72</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bath County junior [player_tooltip player_id='212174' first='Lilly' last='Dickerson'] comes to this team off a big season. She did a lot for the Cats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County junior Anna Sidles and Nicholas County junior Sadie Vice are the defensive specialists along with Harrison County sophomore Jaicee Hamilton. Bryan Station sophomore Lucy Wilkerson could set or play defensive specialist. Bryan Station senior Chelsey Gerardi plays the left side with Clara Manning and Miranda Manning rounding out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miana Wallace is the team's head coach. The team may be struggling, but has some tournaments left. The team plays in the Spring Showdown on April 12 and 13 in Bowling Green.</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":["212196"],"_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-67ede1ea9b7c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton's experience could should come in handy for the A.81 team. She's served as the team's main setter for three seasons, giving the team continuity there. Hamilton (pictured) does a good job keeping defenses honest sometimes hitting second balls over. Hamilton's sinking line drive serve gives opponents fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212394"],"_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-67ededf2cfdbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parker does a great job reading and reacting to balls in the back. She does not hide behind blocks and consistently sets up the offense with sound first touches. Parker also sets up hitters well out of system and has a tough serve. Parker had 486 digs, 138 assists and 81 aces for Franklin County last fall, helping the Flyers go 27-7 and make it to the 11th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765664"],"_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-67ededf2cfe44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broderick is a force at the net when passes hit the target. Broderick moves her feet well then puts herself in good position to take good swings. Broderick is especially tough on the 31 balls and the slide swings. Broderick has sound technique on her blocks and can produce on her swings. Broderick had 180 kills, 98 solo blocks and 37 aces for the Jackets in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765671"],"_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-67edefdc5420c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClanahan brings versatility to the Cardinals. She takes solid swings from the strong left side. McClanahan is then not afraid to take something off hits to shove balls off blocks and out of bounds. McClanahan makes clean first passes then quickly transitions to offense. McClanahan is also a solid server. She had 231 kills, 250 digs and 55 aces this past fall, helping Scott County make the 11th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212174"],"_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-67edf787940de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dickerson does what she can trying to help the Cats win games. Dickerson finds different ways to put balls down. She directs balls away from defenders well, mixing in soft touches and hard hits. She makes good first passes then quickly switches into offensive mode. Dickerson is also a sound server. Dickerson had 164 kills, 251 digs and 85 aces for Bath 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. 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