Lexington United 16, 66 Elite Squad Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Founded in 2011, [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] has helped grow the sport in the area. That area has produced some state runner-up teams with the most recent one being Dunbar in 2022. These two teams continue to help push that trend upwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All nine players on this solid team made huge varsity contributions this past season including seven members from the brutal 43rd District in south Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunbar sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484320' first='Peyton' last='Beatty'] and Lexington Catholic junior [player_tooltip player_id='741875' first='Maddy' last='Warner'] start things off with sound passes and Lexington Catholic setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] distributes the ball well to a number of solid hitters. That includes two LexCath teammates in junior [player_tooltip player_id='535172' first='Miller' last='Duncan'] at 6-1 in the middle and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='212387' first='Ella' last='Blackburn'] on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tates Creek sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='519636' first='LeeAnn' last='Knapp'] also gives the team a sound presence in the middle. Dunbar sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Mia' last='Pendley'] and West Jessamine sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] along with Madison Central sophomore Bella Morrett taking big swings on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amy Barmore is the team's head coach. The team is 41-16 on the season with an MLK Extravaganza 16/17 Girls championship in January. The team plays in the Players Championship in Louisville on May 31 and June 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>66 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has mixed bag of players that had big roles on varsity and some players that hope to do so this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott County sophomore Allison May made a big splash in the fall while Great Crossing sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='511012' first='Alexis' last='Ingle'] hopes to do the same for the Warhawks in the fall. Madison Central sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='603592' first='Josee' last='Campbell'] continues to do a good job getting multiple hitters involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Madison Central sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id='776212' first='Teegan' last='Sulfridge'] is expanding her game into a more versatile role in the spring. Danville sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='776217' first='Anye' last='Thompson'] packs punch in the middle and outside with Rowan County sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and Tates Creek sophomore Brenna Smith doing the same in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three hitters round out the roster. They are Great Crossing sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='850975' first='Devynne' last='Smith'] and Scott County sophomore Lillian Morgan in the middle and Frederick Douglass sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='875442' first='Paige' last='Crouch'] on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shian Wright is the team's head coach. The team plays in the Players Championship in Louisville on May 31 and June 1.</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":["603863"],"_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-6826b0b9db202"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hitters can rely on Hall to put passes on target then smack them to the ground. Hall's size helps diversify the sets. Hall not only executes a number of different sets including back sets, she executes a sound number of setter dumps. That includes the back tap and a two-handed back hit to the opposing shallow line. Hall brings diversity to the 16 Elite team with her sound passing and crushing line drive serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603652"],"_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-6826b0b9db257"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crutcher continues to add diversity to her hits during club season. Crutcher is really tough on the short sets in the middle, consistently rising over blockers and smacking balls to the ground. Crutcher knows how to put balls around blockers. She mixes in soft tips to throw off defenders. Crutcher's blocking game has taken strides during the club season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776212"],"_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-6826bdf0ebbb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sulfridge (pictured) gives the 66 Elite squad options as a six-rotation player after playing middle blocker during the high school season. Sulfridge does a good job approaching the net and tapping balls to the middle or the sides in addition to taking sound attacks. Madison Central head coach Janet Thacker said Sulfridge puts up a great block. Sulfridge's arm swing could use some work, but her versatility and work ethic should make that happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776217"],"_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-6826bdf0ebc08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson may have flown under the radar some with the talented 66 Elite team and Danville's struggles. Thompson gives the Admirals consistency from the outside and middle. Thompson has a good arm swing and big knack for seeing the court and putting balls where needed, mixing in some soft touches. Thompson is also a sound passer.</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 -->