10th Region Preview: Scott, Montgomery County lead contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As long as [player_tooltip player_id='808054' first='Milyn' last='Minor'] wears their uniform, the <strong>Scott Eagles</strong> (31-12 last year) will be a threat to win the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] and senior all-around [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby']. Sophomore Emory Sullivan stepped into the libero spot in the Bluegrass Games. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='586657' first='Reagan' last='Cummins'] is another option on the outside with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='734852' first='Jacinda' last='Campbell'] playing outside hitter and defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran head coach Andrea Sullivan said the Eagles need to play solid defense to be successful. If [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby'] 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott travels to Beechwood on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since 2012, only one region winner has not come from the 37th District. That was <strong>Montgomery County</strong> 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 [player_tooltip player_id='829206' first='Alexis' last='White'] and sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='755626' first='Erin' last='Fawns']. Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='809538' first='Baylee' last='Warner'] is 5-11 and sophomore outside/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='508423' first='Anna' last='Allison'] is 5-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be a matter of making first touches so those hitters can get their swings. Head coach Bradley Craycraft and staff moved senior [player_tooltip player_id='397723' first='Kate' last='Conn'] to setter in Montgomery County's 5-1 attack and junior Sophie Fouch to libero. Craycraft also said to watch out for six-rotation senior [player_tooltip player_id='831743' first='Ellie' last='Lewis'] at outside hitter and senior Janelle Miller at middle/opposite hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians play at Frederick Douglass on Aug. 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>37th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Brossart (26-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Brossart still has the sound 6-2 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='515259' first='Callie' last='Ritter']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Leah' last='Robinson'] could also help in the middle with senior Madison Dozier taking swings from the outside. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] is back for her fourth season on varsity to guide the offense and sophomore Grace Frommeyer is back at the libero spot. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] returns with defensive specialist experience and senior [player_tooltip player_id='727153' first='Payton' last='Marshall'] will play defensive specialist or setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs play Highlands on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Campbell County (7-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Calvary Christian (12-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions:</strong>&nbsp;18-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Region Crowns since 2003:&nbsp;</strong>Newport Central Catholic with seven. (Note: NewCath moved to the 9th Region in 2012.)</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":["586599"],"_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-689ebb66abce7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justice has been a solid blocker since her sophomore year and will continue to bring a nice net presence. She takes good swings at the pins and the middle. With the team around her, Justice hopes to put together a solid senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603805"],"_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-689ebf2062943"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warner (pictured) gives the Indians great team size at the net. She smacks balls to all six zones on the court with both hard and soft touches. She also helps control the net with sound timing on her blocks. Warner will get a number of good touches if the Indians consistently get in system.</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 -->