SKEVA East 17 Crimson Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy opened in 2023 to give more opportunities to play club volleyball for players in southeastern Kentucky. The SKEVA 17 squad has put together a nice blend from the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with dynamic Whitley County sophomore defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] and Corbin defensive specialist Emma Wilder then move to Whitley County sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice']. That's when Casey County junior [player_tooltip player_id='212252' first='Amy' last='Lee'] and North Laurel junior Addison Metcalf both at middle blocker/outside hitter and Pulaski County junior right side/middle blocker Kaylee Kissinger hit from different parts of the net. The dynamic Somerset junior [player_tooltip player_id='770381' first='Sarah' last='McBride'] produces at outside hitter and defensive specialist. Corbin sophomore Presley Griffin produces in the middle and Pulaski County junior [player_tooltip player_id='779168' first='Sammie' last='Blevins'] does the same on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauren Petrey is the head coach. The team just finished second out of nine teams in the AAU Southeastern Championship. The team heads to the Showdown in the Smokies in Sevierville over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212252"],"_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-68070b8c159a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee played a big role in Casey County's 12-win improvement in Lindsey Burkhead's first season as head coach. Lee can put the ball down a number of ways and serve up big points. Lee made good first touches a number of times last season. Lee had 100 kills and 100 digs to help the Rebels go 18-16 and make it to the 12th Region Tournament for the first time since 2016 this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603765"],"_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-68070b8c15a0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collier came in and took the libero spot by storm for the Colonels. Collier consistently squares her arms up to balls, then stays under control to set up the offense. She has solid net coverage recovering quick on blocked balls. Collier is not afraid to put up good sets if the team is out of system. Collier had 534 digs, 56 aces and 100 assists to help Whitley County go 29-11 and win a third straight 13th Region crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603768"],"_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-68070b8c15a89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice (pictured) stepped into the setter role and contributed in a big way for the Colonels this past fall. She mixes things up well setting up a number of talented hitters. Rice is solid in every phase of the game. She can make pristine passes, reach high for big blocks, serve big aces and take nice swings when needed, especially when Whitley County was out of system. Rice had 862 assists, 314 digs, 80 aces, 119 kills, 31 assisted blocks and nine solo blocks to help the Colonels go 29-11 and win a third straight 13th Region crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["770381"],"_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-68070b8c15ad2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McBride turned into a sound hitter for the Jumpers this year. McBride constantly makes things happen on the go routes from the strong left side. McBride pounds down nasty cutters to the opposite line. McBride is also not afraid to mix in tips off blockers to score big points. McBride is also a sound passer for Somerset. McBride had 268 kills and 219 digs for Somerset this past fall.</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 -->