JVA Day Two Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a number of sound performances on the first day of the Junior Volleyball Academy World Challenge in Louisville. Here are some matchups to watch on the second day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Round 2, Group 1, Pool A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group features three talented teams in the Pioneer Region. They are Adidas KIVA 17 Red, Union 17 UA Black and [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 17 Elite. The KIVA 17 Red team won all three pool play games Friday while Union 17 UA Black went 2-1 and [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 17 Elite finished 1-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A nice battle between North Oldham teammates [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'], [player_tooltip player_id='706522' first='Vita' last='Sensenbrenner'] from 17 UA Black against the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Jessica' last='Smallwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='212357' first='Kamya' last='Mahorn'], [player_tooltip player_id='212249' first='Cameron' last='Owens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212398' first='Ella' last='Askin'] from KIVA 17 Red could make things interesting. [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 17 Elite also has some sound hitters in the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='212388' first='Payton' last='Avilez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479316' first='Charli' last='Grubbs'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Club</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Round 2, Group 1, Pool B</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group features three teams. Two come from the Cincinnati area in Cincy Classics and the Headlines VBC 17 Navy squad. Kennedy Navey does a number of things well for the VBC 17 Navy team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Round 2, Group 1, Pool A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group sees Munciana 16 Mustangs up against the [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 16 Elite. A good matchup between [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United']'s [player_tooltip player_id='535190' first='Bella' last='Morrett'] and Munciana's Shandon Garrett is one to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Round 2, Group 1, Pool B</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be an interesting pool. The 5:30 p.m. game between Tri-State Elite 16 Blue and Adidas KIVA 16 Red will be a good one. It features [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] on the 16 Red squad against the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'], Jillian Forrest and Charley Moeddel.</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":["750417"],"_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-67f9e2a444e01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shupert is back from an injury and playing well. The outside hitter can play all six positions when needed. She does a great job rising up and over blocks for kills. She can also help control the net with sound double teams. Shupert sends a hard jump serve to different parts of the court. Her passing needs some work, but she will continue to improve on the talented UA 17 Black team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479316"],"_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-67f9e2a444e6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grubbs puts a lot of power into balls for the 17 Elite squad. She times up her hits well to put balls past if not off blockers. Grubbs can go up attempting to block balls then quickly transition to defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535190"],"_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-67f9e8f810926"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morrett's volleyball smarts continue to develop during the club season. Morrett (pictured) has a quick release, but does not rush things to make sure she puts balls where they need to go whether they are hard hits to the back row or soft ones to the left line. Morrett communicates with her teammates well to form solid double teams blocking at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611724"],"_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-67f9e9d50f906"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When a coaches challenges Codey to do something better, she finds ways to more than surpass those expectations. Codey is trying to turn into a solid player in all positions. Her defense has really taken an upward turn in recent weeks. Her ball control is amazing even when she's having to veer a different direction. She's still smacking balls all over the court including some from the back row.</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. 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