Rowan County HC likes how players 'are each others’ biggest fans'

The Rowan County Valkyries had long been contenders in the 16th Region winning anywhere between 20 and 30 games from 2016 to 2022 outside of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Rowan County won the 16th Region title three years in a row from 2017 to 2019.   After a down 13-22 season in 2023 marking the program's first losing season since 2015, Taylor Dixon took over the program. The 2013 Rowan County graduate guided the Valkyries back to the 61st District championship after not winning it in 2023 for the first time since 2011, a 21-10 record and a second straight 16th Region semifinal appearance.   Rowan County graduated four seniors from the team including Addison Hargis and Ava Breeze, who finished third and fourth on the team in kills. However, the Valkyries return experience at every position led by the powerful junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'].   Dixon said the key to taking steps forward is building on what's been started. Dixon said the team is still young, but has a good group of leaders coming through. Dixon added they're putting in the work.   "They're each others' biggest fans," Dixon said. "You preach and you ask for that. They do. They're great to each other. That's been awesome."   Three sophomores return with sound experience. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May'] return after solid seasons on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] gives the Valkyries a dynamic one-two hitting punch. Senior defensive specialist Dakota Ginter also brings sound experience with first touches.   Two keys to success could be improved blocking and other hitters emerging to keep defenses from double blocking Mains and Breeze on the outside. The team had 39 solo blocks and 57 assisted blocks last year with Mains leading the way for the returning players with 11 solo blocks and five assisted blocks. Sophomore 5-8 Kyra Richardson and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='874785' first='Eva' last='Brinker'] in the middle along with seniors Brooke Tenyer at 5-8 and Ella Brinker on the outside are leading candidates to emerge as third if not more options for Jones. Senior Kailyn Tackett could also make an impact somewhere.   Rowan County has tryouts soon. The Valkyries play in the Bluegrass Games from Aug. 1-3 in Lexington before scrimmaging the next two weekends. Rowan County opens the season on Aug. 19 against Breathitt County at 7 p.m.    Jones dramatically improved during club season helping the A.61 team go 50-19 with two tournament championships and a 13th place finish and Consolation Division A bracket crown out of 122 teams in the AAU National championships in Orlando. Jones reads defenses and communicates with teammates well, getting a number of teammates involved. Jones does a variety of long and short sets. Jones can set to the back row, especially on pipe plays and do the back set. Jones also mixes in setovers to the 10-foot line. Jones has a good platform setting the team up well with first touches and has a hard line drive serve that often takes opponents out of rhythm. Jones said she's been working on getting more consistent with her sets. Jones recorded 625 assists, 316 digs and 68 aces for A.61 this spring.     Mains (pictured) had an outstanding spring and looks to have another monster season for the Valkyries. Mains has solid approach to the net, a nice vertical and amazing follow-through. Mains powers balls over and around blockers to the floor consistently facing double blocks. Defenders set up one way, only to see Mains angle her body another way at the last second then send balls screaming to the ground. Mains said she hits from the back row on 25 percent of her swings for club and 40 percent in high school. Mains added she's been trying to diversify her hits including tipping balls to far corners. Mains mixes in soft hits giving defenses something extra to consider. Mains is also a sound passer and server. Mains had 514 kills, 577 digs and 58 aces during the club season for 66 Elite.     Breeze has worked on improving her offensive rhythm during club season and it should pay off this fall. Breeze does a good job with her ball placement. She hits balls away from defenders and off blockers well. Breeze also did a good job passing and serving her freshman year. Breeze said she wants to be more available for all positions on the court. Breeze pounded down 236 kills to go with 192 digs and 43 aces for the Valkyries last fall.     May is turning into a reliable passer on both serve reception and digging. May squares her body up to balls well and has improved her control. May has an outstanding jump serve. May said she's been working on bringing more energy to the court and a better mentality of getting to balls. May had 159 digs and 53 aces for the Valkyries last fall.    Note from the Writer   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. 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The Rowan County Valkyries had long been contenders in the 16th Region winning anywhere between 20 and 30 games from 2016 to 2022 outside of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Rowan County won the 16th Region title three years in a row from 2017 to 2019.