6th Region Preview: Mercy hopes experience pays off this year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tradition-rich Mercy Jaguars have been young the last couple seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making it to state has not been the issue. In the 46 years of the state tournament, Mercy has only not gone once all the way back in 1980. It's just that since the last of seven state championships in 2014, Mercy has finished state runner-up six times including last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hope is that experience will lead the Jaguars back to the top this year. Mercy graduated six seniors including setter Maia Marin and libero Madisyn Green. However, the Jaguars do return their top four kills leaders led by Bellarmine commit [player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden']. The other three are junior [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'] and two sophomores that played on head coach Connie Hulsmeyer's Union UA 15 Black team in [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='479299' first='Addison' last='Davis'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] return with setting experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior Josie Hans hopes to give the Jaguars a sound presence in the middle. Senior opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479301' first='Allison' last='O'Shea'] and senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479300' first='Jenna' last='Hawkins'] give the team depth. Two sophomores in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='831749' first='Ellie' last='Sharpe'] and setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] also looked good during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy lost in the Championship Flight quarterfinals to South Warren at the Bluegrass Games without Yaden. Hulsmeyer said losing early like that gets the attention of players. Those games are where teams learn things about who does what and where. Hulsmeyer said Mercy has a good, solid team. One goal is to have a balanced attack from the outside and middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy hosts Bowling Green in a state quarterfinal rematch on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21st District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Cross (Louisville) (23-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars made it to the region championship in Danielle Wiegandt's first season as head coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic twins Trinity and Tristen Ward graduated, but Holy Cross does return twins [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] on the outside and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] in the middle. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='846523' first='Braelynn' last='Logsdon'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] give the Cougars more outside options with Logsdon also contributing on defense. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] returns at setter with senior libero Ellery Warnock and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] anchoring the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiegandt said serving aggressively, solid serve receive and tremendous scrappy defense will be keys to success for the Cougars this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt plays at North Bullitt to start the season on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasure Ridge Park (16-20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers graduated four seniors from last year's region tournament team. Junior Kendra Lee is a key returning player Pleasure Ridge Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers play Doss to start the season on Aug. 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley (8-12) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings struggled down the stretch last year. Senior Leah Stinson returns for Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley travels to Brown on Aug. 19 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairdale (4-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs could not make it back to the region tournament. Adam Carter takes over the program hoping to take them back there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with senior [player_tooltip player_id='801000' first='Ariana' last='Holderbaum'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='756946' first='Kyndal' last='Stallard'] on first touches. Carter also said to look out for freshman outside/defensive specialist Blina Kameri. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='829332' first='Ally' last='Kaufman'] gives the Bulldogs good outside touches and Carter also mentioned eighth grade outside/opposite hitter Olive Cullen, who played on the KIVA 13 White team this past spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter said the team's success will rely on effective passing and defense. Carter noted the young hitters are aggressive but still developing so they need good passes. He hopes strategic serving keeps opponents out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairdale hosts Doss on Aug. 18 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22nd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Butler (16-13)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearettes feature a solid outside hitter in [player_tooltip player_id='535286' first='Layla' last='Green'] along with senior Eilee Rankin. The key is getting help around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler hosts Moore on Aug. 19 in the season opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iroquois (5-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Lal Rin Muan and junior hitter Ngari Barbour lead the Raiders, who made the region tournament after going winless the previous two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois travels to Shawnee on Aug. 26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Doss (1-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Ciannah Lacy leads a Dragons team that struggled last season only beating district rival Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doss travels to Fairdale on Aug. 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Western (0-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors more than had their struggles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western travels to Valley on Aug. 20 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":861136,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/ShaelynWoodson-crop-640x421-1749956947-crop-639x420-1754681512.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-861136" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Michael Garcia</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23rd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Bullitt (23-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devyn Tompkins has built the program over the years and the Eagles have won four straight district championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397720' first='Maci' last='Milliner'] leads the way along with junior right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='808240' first='Laila' last='Brooks']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='594636' first='Shaelyn' last='Woodson'] (pictured above) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='809703' first='Kass' last='Bodytko'] pound balls in the middle with their size, helping North Bullitt build a strong offense. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='792432' first='Bracie' last='Roeder'] gives North Bullitt another option on defense with senior [player_tooltip player_id='508062' first='Kara' last='Gividen'] can also smack balls on the outside. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='713896' first='Emma' last='Wetzstein'] is also an option on the outside and on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the roster are [player_tooltip player_id='796563' first='Maddie' last='Picheo'], [player_tooltip player_id='793320' first='Deedee' last='Hernandez'], Kynlee Richardson and Delaney Cranmer. Tompkins said Richardson can fulfill any role necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With eight varsity returners back, Tompkins pointed out the team has maintained a good rhythm so the team will build off last season and the additions have risen up and fulfilled various roles. Tompkins said executing serve reception and being aggressive on the defensive end will be keys to success. Tompkins said the Eagles control matches when they capitalize in transition and serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt hosts Holy Cross (Louisville) on Aug. 18 in the season opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt Central (10-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William Davis takes over the program hoping to get the returning players to buy into the new system and come together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors Ava Newton, Addison Pedley and [player_tooltip player_id='509314' first='Alije' last='Hoxha'] are the key returning defensive players. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='756671' first='Cali' last='Reis'] returns to give the Cougars offense on the outside. Davis also said Alivia Reynolds, Awel Dang, [player_tooltip player_id='810501' first='Alayla' last='Allen'] and Bailey Richards will all have big roles on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt Central hosts John Hardin on Aug. 19 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moore (5-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs return a nice setter in senior Katherine Lezcano. It's a matter of Moore getting some support around her and senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='809699' first='Kalynn' last='Moss'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore hosts Seneca on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern (3-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans have no place to go but up. They return five players with significant varsity experience including senior Jacquelin Arguello-Nova.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern travels to Jeffersontown to start the season on Aug. 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt East (20-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers come into the season looking different with the graduation of eight seniors and setter [player_tooltip player_id='479302' first='Brinlee' last='Marshall'] deciding not to return for her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East has two seniors in setter Brooke Morris and defensive specialist Josslyn Graves. The Chargers have two nice sophomores in defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='612013' first='Sophie' last='Gorter'] and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='833446' first='Julianna' last='Edwards']. Bullitt East will also count on juniors Grace Varney and Maddie Hider for production in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East hosts Shelby County on Aug. 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitefield Academy (15-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danielle Merrick takes over a program that has one of the state's top hitters in 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='479306' first='Taylor' last='Wathen']. The Wildcats also return senior twin sisters in setter Isabella Nord and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='838562' first='Sophia' last='Nord'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Merrick said the keys to success are working on the sister mentality in addition to making sure they serve aggressive and find the hitters. Wathen had 398 kills last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitefield hosts a home school team out of Louisville on Aug. 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fern Creek (11-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have a nice setter in junior [player_tooltip player_id='603779' first='Lanie' last='Breedlove']. They also return a number of hitters led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='814360' first='Jenna' last='Hayden'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fern Creek travels to Louisville Collegiate on Aug. 18 to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeffersontown (6-24)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started rough with 15 losses for the Charger last year. The six wins came in the final 13 games. Savanna Merrifield leads the returning players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown hosts Southern on Aug. 18 to start the season.</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":["611834"],"_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-68963962da00e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derringer (pictured) has turned into a sound hitter from both the middle and the outside. She has great instincts on the court. Derringer may not always be the tallest player on the court, but she makes up for it with a good vertical. Mercy has the depth to give her a number of one-on-one opportunities at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768557"],"_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-6896476eefa80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stoff executes a number of plays for Holy Cross including slides. Stoff is productive from the middle and outside. She keeps swinging hard after mistakes. Expect another big season from Stoff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["756946"],"_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-68963d628549f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stallard hopes to consistently give the Bulldogs two to three-point passes to get them in rhythm. Stallard does a good job going hard after balls, showing she can handle hard hits. Stallard's play could determine whether or not the Bulldogs make it back to the region tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["508062"],"_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-6896476eefb4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gividen may seem to be going up for a hard kill, only to pull back and shove one off a blocker for a kill. Gividen does a good job making things happen out of system. Gividen makes quick transitions from defense to offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594606"],"_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-689650bae93d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nord is doing what she can to take blockers off the primary hitter this season. Nord digs up balls then quickly transitions to offense. She is a nice option in both club and high school. She reacts quickly to do bump and overhead passes under control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Fast Facts</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;53-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Region Crowns since 2003:&nbsp;</strong>Mercy with 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->