Bluegrass Games feature 130 teams in varsity including Assumption

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is an increase of 24 teams playing on the varsity level from 106 to 130 this year including the addition of the 24-time state champion Assumption Rockets putting the varsity and junior varsity teams in the varsity division. Assumption's biggest 7th Region rival Sacred Heart has won the tournament the last two years. The three-day tournament takes place at 11 schools in the Lexington area including Woodford County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a number of good matchups on the first day. Teams are guaranteed six matches in a best-of-three format. The first two sets go to 21 with a cap of 23 points and the third if necessary goes to 15 with a cap of 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three</strong> <strong>Matchups to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool K at Frederick Douglass, 4 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethlehem vs. Great Crossing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams look to be deeply talented this season so this is a potentially big test to see how all the pieces fit together. They are coming off region semifinal appearances the previous year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great Crossing graduated the talented setter Kate Rush. However, a number of key players such as libero [player_tooltip player_id='774977' first='Jenna' last='Browning'], [player_tooltip player_id='479272' first='Emily' last='Erwin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='343939' first='Erin' last='Thomas'] return. Other players such as [player_tooltip player_id='535187' first='Gabrielle' last='Bray'], [player_tooltip player_id='612084' first='Kinsley' last='VanGuilder'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='511012' first='Alexis' last='Ingle'] give the Warhawks the chance to be solid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethlehem needs to fill in some big roles at libero and defensive specialist. However, the Banshees return two setters [player_tooltip player_id='756992' first='Matti' last='Deopere'] and [player_tooltip player_id='752886' first='Allie' last='Thompson']. The Banshees also return a number of sound hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='809496' first='Alexis' last='Lanz'], [player_tooltip player_id='795327' first='Kate' last='Lancaster'], [player_tooltip player_id='828655' first='Abby' last='Logsdon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='829835' first='Aubrey' last='Spalding'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool O2 at Tates Creek, 9 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raceland vs. Holy Cross (Louisville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams made it to the respective region championship games last season and hope to take that next step this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams need to find a new setter. However, they return senior Bryna Wellman on defense. They have size on the front row with the 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='848098' first='Allayson' last='Rigsby'] in addition to [player_tooltip player_id='479275' first='Peyton' last='Mackie'] and Annie Bradshaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross graduated the talented Trinity Ward. However, a number of solid hitters starting with junior twins [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff']. [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] should free the Stoff twins up and [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] brings her fiery, yet consistent play to the libero spot, making sound passes to setter [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans']. [player_tooltip player_id='846523' first='Braelynn' last='Logsdon'] should also have a big role for the Cougars this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool R2 at Lafayette, 7 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paintsville at Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] against [player_tooltip player_id='484422' first='Audrey' last='Gossett']. Enough said about this one. It will be a fun match seeing two of the top juniors in the state battle it out at the net with some potential jousts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will both be working with some new supporting casts and that could favor the Generals. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397717' first='Elise' last='Trimble'] is back for Lafayette along and two sophomore hitters could make a splash this fall in [player_tooltip player_id='711994' first='Carli' last='Dotson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741500' first='Lily' last='Grant']. Both played on the top 15s teams at their clubs in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paintsville looked to be ironing out some kinks during the summer leagues. However, head coach Dawn Kinner and staff are known to have the Tigers prepared for important games and the postseason. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='742476' first='Annabelle' last='Blankenship'] has similar size to [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='785507' first='Kate' last='Lauffer'] hopes to give the Tigers another hitting option. Lauffer is part of a loaded freshman class for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bluegrass Games Friday Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://bgsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BGSG25-Schedule-Varsity-Friday.pdf">https://bgsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BGSG25-Schedule-Varsity-Friday.pdf</a></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":["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-688574d38e5cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erwin is a tough hitter for the Warhawks smacking balls hard from the middle and the pins. Corners are big targets for the lefty. She makes good in-air adjustments. Erwin creates one-on-one opportunities for her teammates. She is also a sound blocker and passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781050"],"_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-688574d38e65c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster does a great job controlling her shots. She mixes up her speeds finding a number of ways to put balls down. Lancaster hits soft ones to the back line and smacks them off blockers. Lancaster had 193 kills and 143 digs for the Banshees last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["848098"],"_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-68858137bb576"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rigsby (pictured) does a good job using her size to control the net. She smacks balls hard to the back line with a good follow-through. Rigsby mixes in soft shots to different parts of the court and takes good shots out of system. Rigsby is also a sound blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785507"],"_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-6885919902c0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauffer is part of a loaded freshman class for the Tigers. Lauffer has some athleticism the Tigers hope to use to their advantage. Lauffer has shown the ability to deliver from the outside. Consistency will go a long way there.</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 a half 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 or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, 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 -->