SKEVA East 16, 15 Teams Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of players in the area are taking advantage of this young program. It is a lower costing option for players than some clubs in bigger cities with a deposit and cost for the season of less than $2000.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is made primarily of Corbin and Southwestern players. Corbin sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='535270' first='Reese' last='Curry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'] at outside hitter have the most varsity experience. South Laurel sophomore hitter [player_tooltip player_id='770974' first='Layla' last='Comley'] also brings some varsity experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three more players in Southwestern junior Addison Whitaker, Corbin sophomore Izzy Evans and Southwestern sophomore Sarah-Jane Brisley play a big role with first touches at defensive specialist. Corbin Middle School seventh grader Harper Newcomb then sets things up for two other hitters in Southwestern junior middle blocker Addison Baldwin and Corbin Middle eighth grader Annabelle Griffin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mickayla McCoig is the team's head coach. The team is 12-10 on the season and plays in the Showdown in the Smokies in Knoxville over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox Central sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535274' first='Kennadi' last='Jones'] brings sound all-around play to this team at middle blocker. North Laurel freshman Mykah Napier is the other middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwestern freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='753354' first='Ella' last='Baker'] has shown tremendous hustle during club season. She keeps a lot of plays alive with Corbin freshmen Ava Vickers and Tyler Strain also contributing nice first touches. The setter is Whitley County freshman Aly Partin with Whitley County freshmen Adrienne Brown and Bella Johnson providing nice outside play along with Jackson County freshman Clara Tincher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club director Cody Petrey is this team's head coach. The team is 13-11 on the season and next plays in the Showdown in the Smokies in Knoxville this Saturday and Sunday.</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":["535272"],"_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-68098b84e29eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomb (pictured) is a big reason the Redhounds expect to stay in contention for the 13th Region crown this fall. Her cutters are tough and she makes sound mid-air adjustments finding different ways to put balls down. Newcomb does a great job teaming up with other blockers in the front to make things difficult on opposing hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["770974"],"_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-68098cfa3139a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Comley gives South Laurel head coach Shelley Nunley reason for optimism in the tough 50th District. Comley does a good job placing balls to different parts of the court and making nice digs. If her speed and ball control improve, Comley has the chance to be a nice multi-skill player for the Cardinals these next two years. Comley had 129 digs for the Cardinals this past fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535274"],"_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-6809948323b49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones has a promising future with the Panthers and club ball if she puts in the work and develops a better rhythm. Jones can place balls well and angle balls off blockers for big points. Jones is also a sound blocker and passer for Knox Central and the club team. Jones had 117 kills, 241 digs and 31 solo blocks for the Panthers this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753354"],"_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-6809948323b9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker is coachable so she should thrive under Petrey's guidance as the club season progresses. She is always on her toes trying to track down balls. Baker also does a great job making things happen setting and hitting the ball when the team is not in system. Baker has a bright future for the Warriors.</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 -->