BRAVO 18, 17 Black teams overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volleyball has grown tremendously in south central over the years. The Barren River Area Volleyball Organization has played a big role with it. Ken Marshall and his wife Dianna started it and were the directors for the first 11 years. Eliza Huffman is the current director.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is loaded with talent having put together a 37-12 record winning the 17/18 Blue Raider Classic, runner-up in the Sweat Tea MLK Challenge and taking fifth in three other tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with South Warren juniors [player_tooltip player_id='771037' first='Allie' last='Chestnut'] and [player_tooltip player_id='397714' first='McKenzie' last='Garrison'] defensive specialists. Greenwood junior Blair Alexander also helps there and Chesnut also takes some big swings. Warren East junior Kaydin Stunson provides versatility there and as an outside hitter. The setter is Greenwood junior [player_tooltip player_id='484438' first='Lila' last='Whittinghill'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is loaded at hitter starting with one of the best juniors in the state in Bowling Green 6-4 junior [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'], a University of Louisville commit. Warren East junior Catherine Montgomery provides power in the middle and outside with Warren East junior [player_tooltip player_id='594484' first='Kaytlin' last='Miller'] smacking balls from the middle. Greenwood junior [player_tooltip player_id='533351' first='Caroline' last='Stinnett'] is also an option outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jessica Lucas is the team's head coach. The team heads to Knoxville over the weekend for the Showdown in the Smokies Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team under Jeff Whitson had a mix of upper and lower classmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glasgow junior Audra Austin and South Warren sophomore Daniella Newman started things off with nice passes to Warren Central sophomore setter Melina Hot. Barren County junior Audrey Frost gave the team options at outside hitter and defensive specialist. Then the outside hitters were Warren East freshman Kylee Wehr and Allen County-Scottsville junior Faith Schaberg. Middle options were Allen County-Scottsville sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535195' first='Lily' last='Cook'] with Adair County senior Elizabeth Bair hitting from the middle and the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212192"],"_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-6809a8cd4bcb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey has size and athleticism and uses it well to dominate the front row. She can rise up from the side and smack balls down to shallow parts of the court over and around blockers and sound defenders. Bailey also disrupts things with sound blocking. Bailey is trying to turn into a sound all-around player with sound serves and digs. The Purples could go on another deep postseason run this fall if they can force teams to try to defend her one-on-one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771037"],"_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-6809a8cd4bd0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chestnut is a sound all-around player for the Spartans and 17 Black team. Chestnut produces from all six spots on the court. She makes precise passes to jumpstart a quick offense. Chestnut also has a quick arm swing sending balls hard to the lines. Chestnut can also form sound double teams and mixes up her serving well to keep defenders guessing. Chestnut had 253 kills, 305 digs and 52 aces this past fall, helping South Warren go 21-12 and make the 4th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484438"],"_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-6809aa4c009c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whittinghill (pictured) uses the power of the 17 Black hitters well constantly putting balls in their power spots. Whittinghill does not lean on her sets to avoid tipping off blockers. Whittinghill constantly encourages her teammates. She's also a kind person off the court, making her a joy to be around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397714"],"_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-6809acb8a3eab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garrison provides consistent two to three-point passes for the 17 Black team. She has a great nose for the ball. She is also a sound server for the Spartans. Garrison had 366 digs and 69 aces for South Warren, helping the Spartans go 21-12 and make the 4th Region Tournament.</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 -->