Team Profile: Madison Central wants more than district crowns

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Madison Central Indians over the years, the issue has not been winning 44th District championships, it's been winning the games after them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians have won four consecutive district crowns, but have made it past the 11th Region quarterfinals just once since 2018. That came in 2023 when Madison Central downed Sayre, 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 25-12) before losing to eventual region power Paul Laurence Dunbar, 3-0 (25-17, 25-7, 25-19) in the region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janet Thacker enters her fourth season guiding the Indians optimistic about a deep and experienced team with 13 juniors in the program. Thacker noted at one point it would be crazy for to not employ the 6-2 offense, especially with the number of hitters the team possesses. That starts at the net with two juniors in the 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='535190' first='Bella' last='Morrett'] and 6-0 [player_tooltip player_id='776212' first='Teegan' last='Sulfridge'] along with seniors Mary Wilson and Emily Steele. Steele gives the Indians sound all-around play. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='603592' first='Josee' last='Campbell'] returns for her second season as the starting setter. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='769212' first='Jaelyn' last='Hall'] could set or play outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians also return experience at the libero spot in senior [player_tooltip player_id='226852' first='Aubrey' last='Donald']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='769208' first='Maddie' last='Berardi'] also hopes to step in as a defensive specialist this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thacker pointed out the Indians have a number of players playing club. Thacker noted she had to turn girls away after the recreation league at the YMCA hit 100 players in Richmond. Thacker runs the [program_tooltip program_id='770111' first='Central' last='Kentucky Youth Volleyball'] club that plans to play in the Bluegrass Invitational in Louisville and Central Zones in Indianapolis in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison Central finished 21-17 last year. The Indians drew eventual 11th Region champion Lexington Catholic in the region quarterfinals and lost 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thacker said the team's mental toughness has to improve, noting the importance of moving on to the next play, especially after making mistakes. Thacker said the team's defense was solid last year, but some spots need more fine-tuned hitting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has tryouts then opens the season against Bourbon County on Aug. 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535190"],"_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-6875aed052e1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morrett (pictured) is as sound of a hitter as any player in the 11th Region. Morrett has great ball control on hits all over the court. She also influences balls well at the net on double blocks. Morrett said the team has practiced the 6-2 a lot hoping it will help against highly competitive teams and has worked out with Kyle Webster at Athletic Revolution with teammates and other high school athletes. Morrett said she wants to be more vocal on the court as a leader. Morrett added she's like a coach on the court noting if the team is down, she'll bring the team back up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603592"],"_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-6875aed052eab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell does what it takes to involve a number of hitters on each play. Campbell worked with a number of hitters during club season on the 66 Elite squad and consistently put balls in power zones. Her setter dump to the 10-foot line gives opponents something extra to consider. Campbell is also a sound passer. Campbell said she's worked on her offense during club season, becoming a better tipper and adjusting to new hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776212"],"_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-6875aed052f2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sulfridge mainly played right side, all-around for the 66 Elite team while playing a middle blocker role for Madison Central. Sulfridge has improved her arm swing during club season. Sulfridge said her back row passing and blocking have improved to make her a more versatile player. At the net, Sulfridge said she wants to be more aggressive on every single ball and hit around blocks offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["816000"],"_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-6875aed052fa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neal hopes to help her teammates earn some one-on-one opportunities all over the net with her sound swings on the outside. Neal said she's been working on her consistency and specific shots, noting it is good to switch things up. Neal said the passing has been the focus for the team, adding the team chemistry is really good.</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. 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