Central Kentucky Youth Volleyball program overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison Central head coach Janet Thacker saw her daughter grow up playing club and high school volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thacker wanted to bring a more affordable option to the area so she started the Central Kentucky Youth Volleyball program in 2024. The club had three teams last year and expanded to five this year with the hopes of adding two more next year. She's doing what she can to keep costs low. While many clubs cost between $3000 and $4000 per season, this one costs just under a quarter of the high one that plays the first three months of the year and includes a player pack. Thacker said there were some add-ons totaling near $1500 for the top 15s team that is going to the AAU Nationals in Florida in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This club has two 15U clubs. The first one is in Richmond and the other is in Berea.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is made up of players from Madison Central with the exception of one. That is Madison Southern freshman right side hitter Riley Castlen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='769208' first='Maddie' last='Berardi'] and eighth grader Kailar Aguiar are the liberos with freshman Kyleigh Smith playing defensive specialist. The setter is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='769212' first='Jaelyn' last='Hall']. Hall will also take some hits outside in the 6-2 formation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='769214' first='Maddie' last='Scott'] gives the team a solid all-around player. Carissa Snook and [player_tooltip player_id='783785' first='Kamyli' last='Joseph'] are the middle blockers with eighth grade outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='789594' first='Riley' last='Weakley'] rounding out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The head coach of this team is Alyssa Evans. This team next plays in the Valley for the Roses in Louisville on April 26 and 27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is made of eighth and ninth graders from Madison Southern. The group went 30-0 in three years in middle school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero [player_tooltip player_id='612195' first='Lillian' last='Kirk'] started for the Eagles this past fall. The rest of the team consists of Abigail Williams, Madelyn Tyree, Avery Simmons, Shelby Lewis, Kenleigh Grant, Cami Duerson, Tessa Blevins and Makenna Abner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jennifer Kirk is the head coach. The staff consists of former college players.</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":["769208"],"_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-68006d5937272"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thacker said she really likes Berardi's hustle, noting she had three pancakes in one game. Berardi has a bright future ahead of her with her work ethic. She's constantly trying to find ways to better balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612195"],"_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-68006d5937301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thacker describes Kirk as one of those players who sees the ball, then goes hard after it. She played libero for the Eagles this past season, but did set up the offense when called upon. She stays under control on her first contacts allowing the offense to get into a rhythm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":769216,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68006d593740a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hall (pictured) understands the game and it shows on the court. Thacker said she has the potential to be a captain and lead the team. She can control the game. She's a sound server and does a great job with first touches on balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769214"],"_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-68006d5937473"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thacker said Scott works harder than anyone in the gym. She brings a lot of versatility to the team. Thacker said she never stops talking, commending her leadership. She's a sound hitter, blocker and passer with a 21-inch vertical jump. </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 -->