Lexington United Wildcat AAU Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The count is 143 teams descending on Lexington for the Wildcat AAU Tournament this Saturday and Sunday. These are five matchups to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17/18 Girls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 17 Elite vs. MAVA Adidas 17 Select at 8:30 a.m. at Dunbar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has the makings of a good matchup with the size from 17 Select in the Ballard twin towers of 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'] and 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'] along with 6-3 Taylor Wathen against the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='479316' first='Charli' last='Grubbs'], [player_tooltip player_id='212388' first='Payton' last='Avilez'] and Great Crossing power hitters [player_tooltip player_id='774977' first='Jenna' last='Browning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479272' first='Emily' last='Erwin']. Both teams have dynamic setters with [player_tooltip player_id='768426' first='Anna' last='Peters'] from 17 Elite and Addison Vaughn at 17 Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game could come down to the players that step forward. Those players include middle blocker Logan Dunham for 17 Elite and [player_tooltip player_id='629192' first='Marleigh' last='Tripp'] for 17 Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Girls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power Pool B on Court 2 at Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a loaded field that could see some thrilling three-setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 66 Elite is loaded with the likes of defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='511012' first='Alexis' last='Ingle'], dynamic setter [player_tooltip player_id='603592' first='Josee' last='Campbell'] and powerful hitters such as Brenna Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and [player_tooltip player_id='776212' first='Teegan' last='Sulfridge'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MAVA Adidas 16 Select comes in with arguably the best hitter in the state in her class with [player_tooltip player_id='484299' first='Madelynn' last='Yates'] to go with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='768283' first='Brooklyn' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535286' first='Layla' last='Green'] in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='745824' first='Lexi' last='Schaffner'] does a great job starting things off and setter [player_tooltip player_id='484248' first='Mia' last='Jasgarszewski'] mixes things up well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union UA 15 Black is also putting together a strong season. The likes of [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'], [player_tooltip player_id='752630' first='Raleigh' last='Becker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] start things off well with setters [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] distributing balls well to the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'], [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and Chloe Kremer.</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":["611834"],"_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-681edcc1a9a9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derringer (pictured) continues to impress as the club season moves along. Derringer uses her athleticism to her advantage to time her hitting. She's hard to hit around at the net because she times balls so well. Derringer makes things happen from both the outside and the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212348"],"_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-681edcc1a9b15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grivna continues to improve her speed as the club season progresses hoping to have a big season for the Bruins in the fall. Grivna is really tough on quicks. Teams can be in the right position and still not dig her up. Grivna's serving could be more lethal in addition to her powerful blocking this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479272"],"_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-681edd21d72ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Erwin is a great option for the Warhawks in the middle and outside. Her lefty angles give opponents fits. Erwin can smack balls to the short and far corners. She hits to so many different angles that defenders slide one way, Erwin will then turn her body at the last second and push balls to the near corner. Erwin is a solid all-around player. Erwin had a team-high 382 kills, 269 digs, 242 assists, 53 aces, 15 solo blocks and 35 assisted blocks, helping Great Crossing go 24-13, win the 41st District crown and drive to the 11th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484263"],"_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-681ee41a6fc33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sutton does an outstanding job reacting to balls all over the court. Sutton consistently makes passes under control to start up the offense. Sutton had 184 digs for the Maroons last 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 -->