Team Profile: Knott County Central aims to build on last year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knott County Central Patriots came into the offseason off a historic run last fall going 31-10 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots won the 53rd District championship then claimed the first 14th Region crown in program history, becoming just the second team from the region to advance to the state quarterfinals since the regions split from eight to 16 in 2003. The question is what can be done for an encore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Shae Cornett hinted toward a potential rebuilding year with the graduation of four players that all contributed in middle blocker Faith Pollard, libero Sydney Stidham, setter Ellie Miller and outside/middle hitter Akasia Bentley. Pollard recorded 499 kills, 47 solo, 50 assisted blocks and 165 digs and will be taking her talents to the University of the Cumberlands this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may turn out to be a blessing the Patriots do not come into the season as the favorites to repeat as region favorites. That honor belongs to district rival Letcher County Central and Wolfe County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what has been a similar issue in the past for many mountain teams at state, the Patriots struggled with the speed the state power Notre Dame Pandas ran their offense, especially on shoots. Cornett said Knott County Central does not see that a lot out there, but it is coming. She said this team is scrappier than previous years. They hope to improve the blocking and transitioning on defense quicker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with senior 5-9 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='276172' first='Taylor' last='Baker'], who has been pounding balls during club and summer ball. Baker suffered a leg injury and had to sit out part of last season, but has bounced back strong. Another outside hitter in senior Ava Waddell leads all returning players in kills. The Patriots also could see some production from freshman Kynley Baker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-3 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'] gives the team a threat in the middle. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] is expected to step in at libero and junior [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] returns at setter. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='714563' first='Lily' last='Blair'] along with seniors Avery Conley and Alex Slone received minimal varsity action last year.</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":["276172"],"_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-684f0823cd72c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is showing the skills that many hitters in the Kentucky hotbeds possess. Baker recently had her swing speed measured. She averaged between 47 and 48 miles per hour and topped out at 50. Baker is tough on line hits and crosses. She is trying to record sound hits from the back row. Baker is also a sound passer and server. Baker said the key to getting good power on balls is about the core and how players open up to balls, noting she likes to crunch balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533386"],"_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-684f0aac75853"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey (pictured) could create favorable matchups for the outside hitters with the way she puts sound power into balls using her size to her advantage. Bailey is tough at the net with her blocking. Bailey has a sharp, diving serve. Bailey does a sound job tapping down overpassed balls. She is a multi-sport athlete for the Patriots, also helping the girls basketball team to a region crown in the winter. Bailey said she is trying to become a sound all-around player, noting the coaching staff is letting her play back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783771"],"_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-684f745214da9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sluss hopes to step into the libero spot in a big way this fall. She delivers smooth passes to jumpstart the offense. Sluss skips serves off the net and to the other side for points and is a good communicator on the court. Sluss said she's been working hard on perfecting her passing and serve receiving in addition to being a leader on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":783716,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kynley Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Knott County Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684f0d8e27e76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker earned some experience last season as the result of injuries and hopes to use it to her advantage this fall. Baker is developing a good rhythm, pounding balls hard. Baker has nice cross-court hits and can angle balls off blockers and out of bounds. She will make even more of an impact with more experience.</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. 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