Region Preview: Henderson County could return to top of 2nd

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This region has seen two different teams outside the region powers win these past two years, and both came from the 8th District. Heritage Christian won its first-ever region crown last year and University Heights did the same thing in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams proceeded to lose in the first round of the state tournament. A traditional power could win another region crown this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henderson County</strong> has the most region titles since the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state tournament split from eight to 16 regions in 2003 with nine with the last one coming in 2021. Kelli Harris took over the program last year, guiding the Colonels to a 15-17 record that finished with a loss to Caldwell County in the first round of the region tournament. Henderson County may not have won the 6th District title for the first time since 2020, but did see a three-win improvement from the previous season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris said last season was about teaching the players to buy into a new, positive coaching style. Harris said she's done a lot of mental training with the returning players and team bonding activities trying to get the players to connect and support each other. Harris said if the players do that, the Colonels could potentially be in the Top 25 of the state. Harris added she's in the process of developing the elementary leagues there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County graduated three players off last year's team. The main returning player is junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603212' first='Evangeline' last='Loffland']. Harris said Loffland did a phenomenal job carrying the team last year, but the goal is to spread that out among her teammates. Loffland led the Colonels with 301 kills to go with 271 digs and 50 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels also return their libero from last year in senior [player_tooltip player_id='801614' first='Ella' last='Whitledge'] and one of the main setters in junior [player_tooltip player_id='776415' first='Addison' last='Kirtley']. Senior middle blocker/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='812053' first='Caeson' last='Hargitt'] also returns after posting triple-figures in kills last year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='813459' first='Gabby' last='Melvin'] hopes to increase her production in the middle along with junior Lilly Payne. Senior Kylee Lyons is back after spending a year across the river in Evansville, Indiana hoping to produce at middle blocker and right side. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='806012' first='Kamryn' last='Raley'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='888158' first='Emmy' last='Sword'] hope to give the Colonels depth on the outside and right side spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris listed Christian County, Caldwell County and Heritage Christian as the main challengers for the region crown with Hopkins County Central as a potential sleeper. Caldwell County is another perennial region contender with six region championships since 2003. The Tigers have a new head coach in Emily Oliver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County plays in the Allen County-Scottsville Classic on Sept. 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caldwell County</strong> finished 19-10 last year winning the 7th District crown for the second year in a row, but the Tigers graduated five seniors including their top three hitters led by Brylee Butts, who is playing softball at the University of Memphis. However, Caldwell County does return senior setter Kylee White and senior defensive specialist Mycah Riddle. The leading returning hitter is senior outside hitter Chevy McGowan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caldwell hosts Union County on Aug. 19 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian County</strong> had some struggles last season finishing 13-19 overall, but made it to the region semifinals in Samantha Self's second season as head coach. The dynamic Skylar Kirby graduated, but the Colonels return senior outside/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='814665' first='Kaidence' last='Atwell'] along with senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='479318' first='Ashlea' last='Russell'] along with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='798746' first='Shiloh' last='Baker'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='603865' first='Peyton' last='Owens']. The Colonels also received a big transfer from Heritage Christian in senior Katie Cansler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian County plays in the West Kentucky Smackdown on Aug. 23 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending region champion <strong>Heritage Christian</strong> Warriors have a new head coach in Will Bruce. Bruce takes over a team that graduated one senior in Mya Goodwin. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='535284' first='Makenzie' last='McCarty'] returns to run the offense along with sophomore Hadlee Hayes. Sophomore Grace Conley is the team's returning hitter and sophomore Allison Craft returns after a sound season on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage Christian opens the season Aug. 19 at Madisonville-North Hopkins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hopkins County Central</strong> took some lumps in a 12-13 campaign. The Storm graduated setter Isabel Height and promising sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='534774' first='Lyla' last='Fortener'] transferred to Apollo. However, the Storm do return three sound senior hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='835665' first='Mallory' last='Wagoner'], Aalycia Stringer and Calajia Mason. Junior Emma Hight is also back on defense. Hopkins County Central hosts Union County on Aug. 18 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crittenden County (19-6 last year)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets saw Bayley McDonald return to the sideline to lead the program coming off a third straight district championship. Crittenden County graduated three of the top five kills leaders including the 2nd Region Player of the Year in Carly Porter. Senior setter Lilah Sherer returns along with junior middle blocker Braelyn Merrill and senior outside hitter Lacey Boone. [player_tooltip player_id='790057' first='Lola' last='Elaine Cratty'] is a promising young sophomore defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittenden County hosts Marshall County on Aug. 19 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Livingston Central (5-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals had some youth in key positions, but hope it helps as Kyle Smith takes over the program after coaching the freshmen last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='848626' first='Kaydence' last='Smith'] started at setter as an eighth grader last year. Junior Kaylee Williams is a promising defensive specialist and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='788387' first='Abigail' last='Erickson'] saw some time as a hitter last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Livingston Central travels to Trigg County on Aug. 19 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trigg County (1-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wins have not come easy for the Wildcats. They last won five games in a season in 2021. They had one senior on the roster last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trigg County hosts Livingston Central to open the season on Aug. 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union County (16-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bravettes drove to the region championship not far off from a run of 41 straight losses last year. They graduated two solid hitters in Serena Oba and Dana Curry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New head coach Jesa Allee has senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='837387' first='Rosella' last='Greenwell'], junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='788322' first='Claudia' last='Wheatley'] and junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='788312' first='Aubree' last='Wedding'] to build around. Allee said she can put the three anywhere on the court and rely on them to produce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union County opens the season Aug. 18 at Hopkins County Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webster County (8-11) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans graduated four seniors but return some experience led by senior Chloe Soukup and junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603848' first='Kamryn' last='Edens']. Senior Raynei Roy gives Webster County nice play on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webster County travels to McLean County on Aug. 21 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madisonville-North Hopkins (9-24)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maroons won the region just three years ago, but have missed the two seasons since then. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212344' first='Leah' last='Moody'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='484263' first='Katie' last='Beth Sutton'] give Madisonville-North Hopkins something to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madisonville-North Hopkins hosts Heritage Christian on Aug. 19 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>University Heights (8-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers stumbled last year after winning the region in 2003. They graduated all-around solid player Olivia Oakley, but freshman setter Gretchen Durham returns. University Heights saw several players transfer to Christian County including junior defensive specialist Katherine Wood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University Heights hosts Paducah Tilghman on Aug. 18 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Campbell (8-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons return some nice players in junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='565596' first='Amanda' last='Kalili-Liusa'] and junior Olivia Voelkel. Consistency around those two could propel the team higher in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Campbell hosts Paducah Tilghman on Aug. 21 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hopkinsville (2-26)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers struggled last year, but do return junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='552709' first='Kyleigh' last='Addison Weber'] and the kills leader in junior Madysen Taggert. Hopkinsville had just two seniors last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkinsville hosts Heritage Christian on Aug. 21 to begin the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Fast Facts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions:</strong> 5-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Region Crowns since 2003: </strong>Henderson County with nine.</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":["603212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":848417,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6886e7b84920e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Loffland (pictured) is a solid all-around hitter for the Colonels. She takes good swings from all six positions on the court. Loffland is really tough on go routes. She keeps swinging after blocks. When blockers go one way, she adjusts in the air to send it another way. Loffland is also a sound passer and server.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814665"],"_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-6886f7e2aafe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atwell does a good job placing ball to different parts of the court. Atwell has a good vertical, allowing her to smack down overpassed balls. Atwell can tip balls to the back line away from sound defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535284"],"_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-6886f7e2ab040"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCarty helped the Warriors not only dethrone University Heights for the 8th Region crown last fall, but lead the Warriors to the first region championship in the program's short history as a KHSAA member. McCarty quickly adjusts from defense to offense and puts balls on target to her teammates. McCarty makes sound passes to start the Warriors in a good rhythm. McCarty's all-around play could be crucial if the Warriors are to repeat as region champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["726046"],"_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-6886f7e2ab08f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stringer gives the Storm optimism this fall. She gives the Storm power from the outside with her athleticism. Stringer can have another nice season if she makes good connections with the new starting setter.</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-6886fcad4f90d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sutton tracks balls down well then makes smooth passes to jumpstart the offense for the Maroons. Her range and athleticism give her an edge on the court. Sutton had 184 digs last fall for Madisonville-North Hopkins.</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 -->