Hitters to know from Day 2 JVA Worlds Louisville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] teams had big weekends in the Junior Volleyball Academy World Championships in Louisville over the weekend. The 15s managed to bring home two gold balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 15 Blue put up a perfect 9-0 run to the crown, knocking off Union 15 UA Black, 2-0 (25-17, 25-16) in the title game in a battle of 8-0 teams. The 15 Blue has a great combination of size and athleticism. Things start with the defensive specialists in [player_tooltip player_id='768410' first='Allison' last='MacPherson'], [player_tooltip player_id='582220' first='Lilly' last='Mollner'], [player_tooltip player_id='582221' first='Kelsey' last='Bareswilt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='582218' first='Maggie' last='Timmerman'] then go through setter [player_tooltip player_id='582222' first='Mya' last='Bosse'] to set up a variety of talented hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='582228' first='Lauren' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='875504' first='Aubrey' last='McDaniel'] bring power in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='510903' first='Lowe' last='Long'], [player_tooltip player_id='661888' first='Baechle' last='Mathes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'] smacking balls from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The UA 15 Black squad still had a great run. Things start with first passes mainly from [player_tooltip player_id='752630' first='Raleigh' last='Becker'], [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh']. [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] then set things up if not hitting opposite. [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and Isabella Manos pound things in the middle with Chloe Kremer, Hadley Hasselbring and [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] swinging away from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 15 White won the 15 Premier Division going 8-2 on the way to the crown. [player_tooltip player_id='728947' first='Mallory' last='Kirkendall'], Samantha Schenke and Finley Santoro generally start things off on first balls to setter Lakyn Shawger. [player_tooltip player_id='739590' first='Charlotte' last='Holm'], Harlowe Allen and Brenna Huber swing from the pins and the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='807148' first='Regan' last='Oaks'], [player_tooltip player_id='733157' first='Preslie' last='Evans'] and Sloan Swartz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These hitters provided a lot of spark on the second day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["579836"],"_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":768258,"_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-67fc7e66bb44c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patton mainly plays in the front row because the TSE 15 Blue team is loaded and she provided a lot of power in this tournament. Patton hits soft line drives to the back middle and consistently angles balls off blockers. She also does a good job hitting to the opposite corner. Patton continued to show great form on her blocking, forcing hitters to send balls high and wide. Patton said the hitters and setter on this team are always connecting no matter where they are on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[851639],"_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-67fc81ad37b84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton (pictured) might have made a contribution for the Manual varsity this past season had it not been for an injury. However, she's looking good during club season for the KIVA 15 White team as a six-rotation player. She smacks hard shots to the corner making the necessary adjustments in the air. Hamilton has good form on her block attempts and makes first touches under control. Hamilton is also very energetic on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":768270,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lexy Dreher","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lakota East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='432192' first='Cincy' last='Classics']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fc843ac475d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dreher has a quick arm swing providing a lot of power for the 17 Red team. Dreher provides great release on pushes to shallow left line. Dreher constantly moves her feet trying to make good passes. Dreher also provides a sharp line drive serve. Dreher said she's trying to swing a lot more and be consistent. She added she's working on her defense and trying to be a good teammate on the court and to the younger players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484301"],"_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":768275,"_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-67fc85679bbeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray takes sound swings for the 16 Black team. Gray has a nice jump serve that keeps opponents out of system. She is productive at all six spots on the court. Gray said she's been working on improving her serve receiving during the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484434"],"_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":768279,"_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-67fc86abc9048"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berry's dedication to the game shows on the court for the 16 Black team. She has a great swing and follow-through. She hits from the back row in high school, but not for her club team. Berry is a sound passer, diving after balls, yet staying under control. Berry said she and her teammates care so much they put in the extra time in the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768283"],"_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-67fc87dca94bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is very athletic rising high over the net. She has a quick arm swing putting a lot of power into the quicks. She gets up high on her blocks and makes nice shoves to the lines. Smith said going fast and her training has helped her be effective on the quicks.</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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->