Club Apex 17s Teams Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Apex tends to churn out some nice talent in the volleyball hotbed area of northern Kentucky. This group has a regional elite and a regional team, which travels less than the national teams do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group sees five juniors from Cooper, although defensive specialist Brooke Dawson does not play on the high school team. Setter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='777995' first='Lauren' last='Franks'], opposite/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='777996' first='Jillian' last='Puckett'], outside hitter Maya Schwartz and libero/outside hitter Lillian Birtcil hope to help the Jaguars back to their winning ways this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two nice outside hitters grace the roster in Grant County junior [player_tooltip player_id='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'] and Owen County junior [player_tooltip player_id='749736' first='Leah' last='Fitzgerald'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has put together a nice season winning the 18 Division in the Rock n Rally Tournament. The team plays in the Parade at the Point Tournament in Sandusky over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This regional team has some players that could surprise this fall. Dixie Heights junior Brooke Adams is a defensive specialist with Walton-Verona junior Kaylee Collett playing defensive specialist and outside hitter. Grant County juniors Taylor Masters and Khali Speier play outside hitter and middle blocker, respectively. Simon Kenton's Anna Mullis and Kamdyn Brogan played on the team along with Beechwood junior Lily Guenther, along with Stella Wilson and Isabella Roberts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749736"],"_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-682ea86b1bff6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fitzgerald (pictured) is trying to do her part to not only help the club team, but help turn around the fortunes of a Rebels team that has struggled in recent years. Fitzgerald creates opportunities for other teammates with her presence on the outside. She has a sound hitting approach, which leads to big kills. Fitzgerald led the Rebels with 100 kills last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479311"],"_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-682fd7aaa5e89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Russell hopes to turn into one of the strongest hitters in the 8th Region her senior year adding to her arsenal. The goal is to consistently keep opponents guessing where balls are going off her hands. That's the kind of leadership the Braves need if they hope to compete with the heavyweights in the region. Russell is also a sound blocker and server.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777996"],"_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-682fd7aaa5f08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Puckett brings a variety of ways to hit the ball over the court to the Jaguars. Puckett pounds balls through blockers and sends tough cutters across the court. She can even send soft hits to the short corner. Puckett executes 31 and slide shots well. Puckett had 131 kills for Cooper this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777995"],"_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-682fd7aaa5f7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Franks shared the setting roles for the Jaguars this past fall and is doing it for the 17 Black team during club season. Franks can keep teams guessing with her diverse setting with back sets, short and long ones. Franks reacts well on defense, keeping plays alive and under control. Franks had 255 assists and 111 digs for Cooper 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 -->