Team Profile: McCracken County adjusting to smaller team size

It is no secret the Mustangs have dominated the 1st Region going a perfect 157-0 against the region since becoming a school in 2013 when Reidland, Heath and Lone Oak consolidated into one high school. What is even more impressive is the Mustangs have dropped just three sets to region competition during that time.   That however has left McCracken County stuck in a tough spot at the state tournament. The Mustangs have lost to either Dominant Five powers Assumption, St. Henry or Notre Dame nine of the 12 times at the state tournament. Third-year head coach Chancie Coleman attributed it to McCracken County's youth programs not being on par with those schools, thus leaving the Mustangs trying to catch up to them with middle school teams, so it's something the staff is addressing.   McCracken County finished 35-6 this past season. The Mustangs graduated just two seniors from that team in Addison Hart and Elizabeth Gilbert, but they led the team in kills with 496 and 298, respectively. Also, promising sophomore setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='850607' first='Reese' last='Romine'] moved to Bowling Green.   The Mustangs will not have the height they've enjoyed in the past. The tallest player will be senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='809844' first='Reagan' last='Hill'] at 5-9. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='813127' first='Emily' last='Hatfield'] also returns at middle blocker. Hatfield set the school record for blocks in a season last year with 42 solo and 44 assisted for 86 total. Senior Eli Streutker gives the Mustangs a sound pin presence and junior [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Kambell' last='Dunning'] showed promise at the right side during club season. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg'] add nice outside presences.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='757541' first='Taylor' last='Dugan'] returns at setter after recording 1,057 assists last year. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='533342' first='Penny' last='Kirkham'] returns after leading the Mustangs in digs last year. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'] hope to give the Mustangs the sound defense the team has enjoyed over the years despite the team not having that height of previous years.   The Mustangs play in the Bluegrass Games in Lexington from Aug. 1-3. McCracken County opens the season against St. Mary in District 2 action on Aug. 19.   Players to Watch    Kirkham (pictured) consistently makes the simple passes putting her club and high school teams in position to run an effective offense. Kirkham shuffles her feet well covering the net against blocked balls then quickly backing up into sound first touch position. She served darts throughout club season. Kirkham said playing club for Tri-Star Juniors helped her see different types of hits thrown her way. Kirkham said she hopes to do her part to help set up the defense knowing Coleman is big on blocking.     Presswood is a valuable defender for the Mustangs. Presswood lines her body up to balls to make good passes, only lunging when necessary. Presswood is a tough server using sound angles to confuse defenders. Presswood said she's been working on her serve reception, trying to get to balls faster and not assuming where balls are going. Presswood also said she's done individual work with her dad in addition to improving her court awareness and positioning herself outside of blocks. Presswood led the Mustangs with 85 aces last fall to go with 170 digs.     Nyberg is looking to become a solid hitting threat for the Mustangs this fall. She has a good launch and sound wrist snap sending balls screaming to the ground. Nyberg can hit hard cross and line shots. She angles balls off blockers well and adds in pushes to keep defenders guessing. Nyberg said she focused on her foot work in addition to listening to feedback and advice on little things to become a stronger hitter. During club season, she worked on building stronger bonds with her teammates so the Mustangs can go as deep in the postseason as the past.     Hamilton is a sound three-sport athlete for the Mustangs. She uses her athleticism well to make things happen at the net. Hamilton sees the court well and makes good in-air adjustments tapping balls over defenders or sending them across the court for big kills. Hamilton is also a sound passer that McCracken County head coach Chancie Coleman said is fun to watch. Hamilton said she does private lessons working on her hitting and passing a couple times per week. Hamilton said she's been working on increasing her vertical jump then working on placing balls to different parts of the court and around big blocks. Hamilton said the returning players lift each other up.    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. 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.

It is no secret the Mustangs have dominated the 1st Region going a perfect 157-0 against the region since becoming a school in 2013 when Reidland, Heath and Lone Oak consolidated into one high school. What is even more impressive is the Mustangs have dropped just three sets to region competition during that time.