10th Region Preview: Scott, Montgomery County lead contenders
In this article:
As long as
Milyn Minor
Milyn
Minor
5'10" | OH
Scott | 2026
State
KY
wears their uniform, the Scott Eagles (31-12 last year) will be a threat to win the region.
The senior outside hitter is the region's two-time defending player of the year and she helped the Eagles drive all the way to the state semifinals last year. The dynamic hitter consistently finds ways to beat teams such as her thumbs down shot. Minor primarily played defense during club season and made strides there.
The Eagles graduated four seniors including libero Elise Manhardt and hitter Brooklyn Helm, who took her talents to Thomas More University. However, they do return strong senior blocker
Morgan Justice
Morgan
Justice
5'8" | MB
Scott | 2026
State
KY
, senior setter
Ryann Grigsby
Ryann
Grigsby
5'5" | S
Scott | 2026
State
KY
and senior all-around
Payton Grigsby
Payton
Grigsby
5'5" | DS/L/RS
Scott | 2026
State
KY
. Sophomore
Emory Sullivan
Emory
Sullivan
5'8" | DS/L
Scott | 2028
State
KY
stepped into the libero spot in the Bluegrass Games. Senior
Reagan Cummins
Reagan
Cummins
5'8" | OH/MB
Scott | 2026
KY
is another option on the outside with sophomore
Jacinda Campbell
Jacinda
Campbell
5'8" | OH/DS/L
Scott | 2028
State
KY
playing outside hitter and defensive specialist.
Veteran head coach Andrea Sullivan said the Eagles need to play solid defense to be successful. If
Ryann Grigsby
Ryann
Grigsby
5'5" | S
Scott | 2026
State
KY
gets her hands on balls consistently, Coach Sullivan said the team can run a fast-tempo offense with the crafty hitters. Coach Sullivan added the team needs to continue to serve aggressive and be creative with the lineups to match up to bigger teams at the net.
Scott travels to Beechwood on Aug. 18.
Since 2012, only one region winner has not come from the 37th District. That was Montgomery County in 2021. The Indians (26-13) could challenge this year, especially with the size at the net. The Indians feature two six-footers in senior outside hitter
Alexis White
Alexis
White
6'0" | OH
Montgomery County | 2026
State
KY
and sophomore middle blocker
Erin Fawns
Erin
Fawns
6'0" | MB
Montgomery County | 2028
State
KY
. Junior middle blocker
Baylee Warner
Baylee
Warner
6'0" | MB
Montgomery County | 2027
State
KY
is 5-11 and sophomore outside/right side hitter
Anna Allison
Anna
Allison
5'10" | RS/OH
Montgomery County | 2028
State
KY
is 5-10.
It will be a matter of making first touches so those hitters can get their swings. Head coach Bradley Craycraft and staff moved senior
Kate Conn
Kate
Conn
5'8" | S
Montgomery County | 2026
State
KY
to setter in Montgomery County's 5-1 attack and junior
Sophie Fouch
Sophie
Fouch
DS/L
Montgomery County | 2027
State
KY
to libero. Craycraft also said to watch out for six-rotation senior
Ellie Lewis
Ellie
Lewis
5'7" | OH
Montgomery County | 2026
KY
at outside hitter and senior Janelle Miller at middle/opposite hitter.
Craycraft said two big keys to success for the Indians will be becoming a more solid blocking team and not shying away from huge moments. Craycraft said the team has to stay aggressive when down late in a match.
The Indians play at Frederick Douglass on Aug. 20.
37th District
Bishop Brossart (26-12)
The Mustangs have some question marks on the outside with the graduation of Kate Neltner and junior Chloe Hershey transferring out of the school. Those two led the team in kills last year.
Bishop Brossart still has the sound 6-2 middle blocker
Callie Ritter
Callie
Ritter
6'2" | MB/OH
Bishop Brossart | 2027
State
KY
. Junior
Leah Robinson
Leah
Robinson
5'10" | MB
Bishop Brossart | 2027
State
KY
could also help in the middle with senior Madison Dozier taking swings from the outside. Junior setter
Aubrey Rebholz
Aubrey
Rebholz
5'10" | S
Bishop Brossart | 2027
State
KY
is back for her fourth season on varsity to guide the offense and sophomore
Grace Frommeyer
Grace
Frommeyer
5'4" | DS/L
Bishop Brossart | 2028
State
KY
is back at the libero spot. Junior
Josie Reckner
Josie
Reckner
5'6" | DS/L
Bishop Brossart | 2027
State
KY
returns with defensive specialist experience and senior
Payton Marshall
Payton
Marshall
5'7" | DS/L/S
Bishop Brossart | 2026
State
KY
will play defensive specialist or setter.
The Mustangs play Highlands on Aug. 18.
Campbell County (7-21)
The Camels endured a rough season just one season after winning the region tournament. They did not have the size they had in 2023.
Two seniors saw extensive action on that 2023 team in setter
Hope Hamilton
Hope
Hamilton
5'10" | S
Campbell County | 2026
State
KY
and outside hitter
Faith Whitford
Faith
Whitford
5'9" | OH
Campbell County | 2026
State
KY
. Two junior opposite hitters in Lydia Fry and
Amerie Mullins
Amerie
Mullins
5'11" | RS
Campbell County | 2027
State
KY
return along with senior
Sydney Lyons
Sydney
Lyons
DS/L
Campbell County | 2026
KY
.
Head coach Mikah Freppon has seen the returning players try to bounce back by being present in every drill and giving it everything the have. Freppon said the players have been working in the weight room on the track and in the gym since February. Freppon said it can be seen how much they want to succeed from the time they enter the gym and leaving it all at practice.
Campbell County hosts Beechwood on Aug. 19.
Calvary Christian (12-16)
The Cougars may not always be the most deep or talented in the region, but head coach Becky Stelzer and staff consistently get the most out of the players.
The Cougars feature two sound outside hitters in senior
Anna Hickey
Anna
Hickey
5'4" | OH
Calvary Christian | 2026
State
KY
and sophomore
Megan Arthur
Megan
Arthur
5'9" | OH
Calvary Christian | 2028
State
KY
. Stelzer also said to watch out for freshman Madison Stelzer.
Coach Stelzer said two mindsets will be keys to success this year in growth and all in. The team has a number of freshmen filling half the roster. She said the team has to be willing to grow each practice and games and lay things on the line in games no matter the opponent to help push toward goals.
Calvary Christian plays Bellevue and Grant County in the Ludlow Invitational on Aug. 19 to start the season.
38th District
Harrison County (23-15)
The Fillies are going though another big transition with the graduation of eight seniors. Senior twin sisters Lexie Highlander at setter and Lauren Highlander at outside and opposite hitter return with experience along with junior 6-2 middle blocker/right side hitter
Audree Whitaker
Audree
Whitaker
6'2" | MB/RS
Harrison County | 2027
State
KY
and senior outside hitter Shyanne Ross.
Head coach Bill Faulkner said he hopes the returning players will lead the inexperienced players. He added if they do, the younger players can learn discipline and enthusiasm in the program.
Harrison County hosts Augusta on Aug. 18.
Nicholas County (15-15)
Head coach Kim Denkins said she told the girls there no reason why they can't win the district if they play together and keep everyone's spirits up. While she noted certain teams may get in their heads, she has noticed a different attitude from the players in open gyms.
Denkins said she would not mind going to a 6-2 attack. The Jackets tried it last year and have been practicing well with it.
Senior 5-11 middle blocker
Morgan Broderick
Morgan
Broderick
5'11" | MB
Nicholas County | 2026
State
KY
gives Nicholas County size. She played club ball at Alpha with junior setter
Alison Reid
Alison
Reid
5'3" | DS/L/S
Nicholas County | 2027
State
KY
. Senior Kylie Earlywine will play outside hitter and senior Sadie Vice will play libero. Denkins also said to watch out for sophomore middle blocker Danica Amburgey because Amburgey can flat out jump.
Nicholas County travels to Lewis County on Aug. 21.
Pendleton County (22-7)
The Cats made a surprising run winning the district championship for the first time since 2012. However, it will be a challenge to repeat with the graduation of five seniors.
Head coach Marian Rice said it will be a rebuilding year, thus the focus will be on team bonding and finding a groove on the court. She wants to turn weaknesses into strengths. Rice also wants to see the team have fun, work hard, do the best possible and see where things go.
Rice listed four key players to the team. They are senior middle blocker Gracie Cotterman, senior defensive specialist Isabella Roberts along with junior middle blocker Pypr McCloud and junior right side Madison Gosney.
The Cats travel to Dayton on Aug. 18.
Robertson County (12-19)
The Devils have had the same head coach for more than 20 years in Anne Grause. They graduated four players including the all-around Emma Adamson, but do return senior libero Irene Dischar.
Robertson County hosts Bracken County on Aug. 18.
39th District
Bracken County (25-13)
The Bears continue to trend up once again breaking the school record for wins and claiming a second straight district championship. They graduated five players from that team, but return a good core.
The Bears return two sound senior hitters in outside hitter
Macy Lucas
Macy
Lucas
5'9" | OH
Bracken County | 2026
State
KY
and middle blocker
Jordan Ahrens
Jordan
Ahrens
5'10" | MB
Bracken County | 2026
State
KY
. Senior
Baylee Wilson
Baylee
Wilson
5'6" | S
Bracken County | 2026
State
KY
and junior
Rees Hargett
Rees
Hargett
5'6" | S
Bracken County | 2027
State
KY
return after sharing the setting duties and senior
Makenzie Rudd
Makenzie
Rudd
5'3" | DS/L
Bracken County | 2026
State
KY
returns after playing defensive specialist. Senior
Ashley Stafford
Ashley
Stafford
5'3" | DS/L
Bracken County | 2026
KY
is a key outside hitter/defensive specialist and sophomore Izzy Godman looks to produce on the outside.
Bracken County head coach Julie Krift said the Bears have focused on improving the serve receive and defense including blocking to try to get to the next level and be able to beat bigger, more experienced teams. Krift added she'd like to see points increased while serving and get significant contributions from several hitting spots. Krift said the setters have the training to run a more complex offense to help against bigger blocks. She also wants to see an aggressive approach to every opportunity and play with an expectation to win every point.
Bracken County travels to Robertson County on Aug. 18.
Augusta (6-21)
Former player Paige McCord, a 2015 graduate, takes over the program and has switched offensive formations from the 5-1 to the 6-2. McCord said she wants to see the passing improve and see players adjust to different positions after four seniors graduated.
Junior
Adalen Gilliam
Adalen
Gilliam
5'8" | OH/MB
Augusta | 2027
KY
returns after finishing second in digs last year. Junior Natalee Roberts played the libero position in the Rowan County scrimmages with senior
Isabella Schweitzer
Isabella
Schweitzer
DS/L
Augusta | 2026
KY
playing a defensive specialist role. Schweitzer also did some setting along with freshman Kahghan Hinson. Senior
Makayla Woodruff
Makayla
Woodruff
MB
Augusta | 2026
KY
hopes to contribute in the middle and other places. Junior
Claire Elliott
Claire
Elliott
6'0" | MB
Augusta | 2027
KY
and freshman Aryanna Davis aim to take swings in the middle.
Augusta travels to Harrison County on Monday.
Mason County (12-19)
The Royals hope to improve with the return of experienced players at every position. Junior Hayley Allison returns at the libero spot along with senior defensive specialist
Halle Pfeffer
Halle
Pfeffer
5'8" | RS
Mason County | 2026
State
KY
. Junior setter
Kyleigh Kirk
Kyleigh
Kirk
S
Augusta | 2027
State
KY
runs a nice offense and senior middle blocker Makaylynn Crabtree returns after recording 141 kills last year.
Head coach Nellie Book uses the word chaos to describe the keys to success. They are good communication, court awareness, coverage, hard work, nice assists and anticipation, sound off net passes, but in front of the 10-foot line and sound swings and serves.
Mason County travels to Paris on Monday.
St. Patrick (2-20)
The Saints won the district championship in 2022, but struggled last year. Caitlyn Gallenstein takes over the program hoping to change that.
The Saints return some experienced players. They include senior outside hitter Lillian Klee and eighth grader Mia Neeley.
St. Patrick travels to Robertson County on Tuesday.
40th District
George Rogers Clark (17-11)
Head coach Kainan Hudson enters his fifth season on the sidelines and has built the program. He said this is a good group and can do good things if they play as a team. His big focus is making sure they have fun this year.
Sophomore setter
Anna Cooper
Anna
Cooper
5'4" | S
George Rogers Clark | 2028
State
KY
is back to run the offense. The Cardinals return their kills leader from last year in senior outside hitter/defensive specialist
Teigh Yeast
Teigh
Yeast
OH
George Rogers Clark | 2026
State
KY
along with senior defensive specialist/middle blocker
Kinlee Keltner
Kinlee
Keltner
5'2" | DS/L
George Rogers Clark | 2026
KY
. Sophomore middle blocker Hollins Pumphery at 6-3 gives the Cardinals size in the middle. and sophomore Addison Palmer is the libero. Freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Elayna Swart is a six-rotation player and sophomore outside hitter
Brooke Gough
Brooke
Gough
5'6" | DS/L/OH
George Rogers Clark | 2028
State
KY
looked good during club season.
The Cardinals host Estill County on Tuesday.
Bourbon County (19-16)
Cassidy Gilbert takes over a program that earned the top seed going 5-1 in district seed play last year, but struggled after the fall break, falling just short of 20 wins. They graduated eight seniors including libero Rylee Barnes, who took her talents to Centre College in Danville.
Senior right side hitter/setter
Marleigh Estes
Marleigh
Estes
5'6" | OH
Bourbon County | 2026
State
KY
returns with the most varsity experience. Junior
Izzy Jett
Izzy
Jett
5'3" | DS/L/OH
Bourbon County | 2027
State
KY
could take over the libero role after having a good club season and Gilbert also said to look out for senior outside hitter/defensive specialist
Macey Mckinzie
Macey
Mckinzie
OH
Bourbon County | 2026
KY
.
Bourbon County travels to Madison Central on Tuesday.
Paris (13-17)
The Hounds took big steps forward after winning just three games the first two seasons as a program. Paris took Bourbon County to five games before losing in the district semifinals last year.
Paris showed promise at the Bluegrass Games with freshman
Mia Mason
Mia
Mason
5'9" | S
Paris | 2029
KY
setting and junior
Molly Mason
Molly
Mason
5'7" | OH/S
Paris | 2027
State
KY
taking swings from the outside. Sophomore outside hitter
Katie Abner
Katie
Abner
6'0" | OH
Bourbon County | 2028
State
KY
is back after leading the Hounds in kills last year. Seniors Callie Ball and Tiana Jones hope to contribute on the outside and junior Angie Romero is the libero with freshman Emma Morris playing a defensive specialist role. Freshman Gabby Gardner hopes to contribute in the middle with freshman Emmy Ogden taking swings from the right side.
Head coach Steven Abner said he's trying to get them to come together as a team. He also wants to get them mentally tough, adding some are still learning the game. Coach Abner said the potential to be in the top part of the region is there if these things happen.
Paris hosts Mason County on Monday.
Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions: 18-22
Most Region Crowns since 2003: Newport Central Catholic with seven. (Note: NewCath moved to the 9th Region in 2012.)
Players to Watch
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Morgan? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Baylee? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Josie? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Macy? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Teigh? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
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.
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and every scouting report.