Pioneer Region Showdown in Smokies Notables

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The amazing season continued for the [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 16 Blue team over the weekend in Knoxville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team won its third tournament of the season going 7-0 in the 16 Open, beating the MidAmerica Volleyball Academy 16 Select squad (6-1 in the tournament) in an exciting game, 2-1 (22-25, 25-22, 15-13). This game featured a battle of two of the hottest hitters in the region in TSE's [player_tooltip player_id='480837' first='Charley' last='Moeddel'] and MAVA's [player_tooltip player_id='484299' first='Madelynn' last='Yates']. TSE 16 Blue moved to an impressive 47-7 on the season with the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 16 White (6-1) would not be outdone, beating the Adidas KIVA 16 Black team (5-1) in the title game of the 16 Premier by a 2-0 (25-10, 25-14) score. This marked the first tournament win of the season for TSE 16 White. The 14 Blue team (7-0) won a third tournament for TSE beating Adidas KIVA 14 Red (5-2) , 2-1 (26-24, 20-25, 15-11) in the title game for its first crown of the season in the 15 Premier Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adidas KIVA 15 Red (6-1) brought home its first championship of the season after finishing in the top five in three other tournaments. The MAVA Adidas 16 Elite team went an undefeated 7-0 in 16 Club Orange play to win its second tournament of the year, besting the Adidas KIVA 16 Silver team (6-1), 2-0 (25-15, 25-21).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adidas Kiva 17 Black (6-1) finished runner-up in 17 Club. Bravo Black 17 (5-1) lost in gold semifinals. This marked the first tournament win of the season for Kiva 17 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MAVA Adidas 15 Elite (5-1) finished runner-up in 15 Club Orange. The team still has an impressive 39-14 record and two tournament wins on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["334217"],"_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-680e7b0778eb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hansel (pictured) is as humble as anyone both on and off the court. It helps her stay calm through the ups and downs of the game. Hansel's range has improved considerably throughout club season. Hansel has always done a good job going after balls with everything she has under control. She had 321 digs and 44 aces to help Ryle to a 24-9 record, another 33rd District crown and spot in the 9th Region semifinals in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771856"],"_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-680e7e2f13969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roy makes a lot of things happen in the middle, especially on the quicks. She goes up strong on solo and double blocks then gets into her hitting position quickly. Roy deposits balls to different part of the court from the gaps as well. Roy pounds balls to lines and puts up strong blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["582220"],"_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-680e81eb20053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mollner may be overshadowed some on the 15 Blue team, but her contributions are just as valuable. Mollner is fundamentally sound on first touches, hitting setters in the desired locations on the court consistently for two to three-point passes. Mollner handles hits of all types and has nice range. Mollner also serves a good number of aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771907"],"_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-680ec4779e226"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phipps has a bright future ahead of her. Her height lets her do amazing things at the net. She can tap balls off and over hitters for points, then take big swings to place ball to different parts of the court. Phipps also smacks down overpassed balls with thunder. Phipps is sound on double and solo blocks. Phipps may not get as many swings as the 15 Red and Mercy squads are generally very balanced, but she will make the most of the swings she does get.</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 -->