Pioneer Region results in AAU Wave 2 National championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This wave at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando featured all eight 14s divisions along with the 15 Open, 18 Classic and 18 Club Divisions. Two Pioneer Region teams finished high in the 14s. Tri-State Elite 14 Blue tied for fifth in the 14 Open Division and the KIVA 14 Red team took 13thn out of 40 teams. In the 14 Premier Division, Tri-State Elite White finished tied for fifth out of 71 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Adidas KIVA 15 Red team finished 8-4 overall. The team made it to the championship semifinals beating Empowered 15 Elite Black, 2-1 (19-25, 25-21, 15-12) before losing to Munciana 15 Blue, 2-1 (22-25, 25-21, 15-8) in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-State Elite 15 Blue also finished 8-4. The team did not make it into the championship division, but did take runner-up in the consolation division. A third Pioneer Region team in MAVA Adidas 15 Select had some struggles, but managed to leave with two wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='747806' first='East' last='Kentucky Junior Volleyball'] 18 Blue team took runner-up honors in the Sapphire Division of the 18 Club class with an overall record of 5-6. The team finished 29th out of 51 teams winning at least one game each day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another mountain club team in the [program_tooltip program_id='740321' first='Bluegrass' last='Volleyball Academy'] Floyd County 18 Navy National team played in the 18 Classic Division taking 51st out of 119 teams with a 4-6 record. The team did go 3-0 on the third day of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Notables</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["601632"],"_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-6856e74036a06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers did an outstanding job doing her part to help the 15 Red team make it to the 15 Open Championship semifinals. Rogers is lethal with her vertical leap and ability to see the floor, then send balls flying to the targets. Rogers goes all out on every play keeping balls alive and make the necessary mid-air adjustments to put balls down. Rogers had a big play painting the back line in the third game against Empowered 15 Elite Black for the 13th point in the quarterfinal win. Rogers also had some big serves in the tournament. Rogers earned a second Amateur Athletic Union All-American award as a result. Rogers also earned a spot on the Junior Volleyball Association All-National team just more than a week ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785586"],"_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-6856e8d3b254e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prather played the libero position well for 15 Red, flying after balls like crazy and making the simple passes. Prather does what she can to react to balls and keep plays alive. Balls do not land on her easily. Prather watched opposing hitter tendencies and tried to take away the strong spots. Prather has great range and great athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253875"],"_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-6856ebe6a38bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinner continues to improve her ball control throughout club season. Kinner eyes the floor well and smokes balls to the target. Defenders set up one place, only to see her send it to another spot. She angles her body in ways to carry her momentum away from blockers. Kinner has the experience to be an effective leader on the court. The Tigers will have a young team around her this fall, but Kinner's mom in longtime head coach Dawn Kinner along with former Paintsville player Megan Taylor on staff hope to get them in shape so the team is clicking come postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["762073"],"_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-6856ebe6a392e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark played on the [program_tooltip program_id='740321' first='Bluegrass' last='Volleyball Academy'] 18U Floyd County Navy National team with many players three years older than her this season and gained a higher level of confidence. Clark has learned to use her size to control the net better with both blocking and hitting. She uses angles well and forces a number of balls high and wide extending her arms.</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 -->