McCreary Central at Wayne County takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knowing things are wide open in the 48th District this year, the McCreary Central Raiders and Wayne County Cardinals took the court Thursday seeking a nice start in district seed play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayne County (2-1 overall) had to overcome some tense moments and solid jabs from the visiting Raiders (3-5), but the Cardinals came away with a 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 26-24) win for the 36th in a row in the series. McCreary Central last beat Wayne County on Oct. 10, 2011 in the 47th District championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayne County veteran head coach Sandra Baker said she was proud of her team's fight, noting the Cardinals are having to rely on some younger players to make plays with some players out because of injuries. Wayne County is trying to make it to the region tournament for the first time since 2021 and McCreary Central is seeking its first appearance in the region tournament since that 2011 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The difference in this game came down to club experience. Wayne County sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='749482' first='Hannah' last='Denney'], sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='749748' first='Harlow' last='Clark'] and senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='594477' first='Addison' last='Edwards'] played club volleyball together in the spring for the South Central Sparks along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='611973' first='Peri' last='Guinn'], who is currently injured. Edwards and Clark put down a number of balls when the Cardinals made smooth first touches to Denney, who has started at setter since the eighth grade.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCreary Central countered with the talented [player_tooltip player_id='783569' first='Madison' last='Ryan'] at libero and two setters in Bella Reynolds and Bella Shook. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='779183' first='Raylee' last='Wilson'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='811598' first='Bailey' last='Terry'] along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='612011' first='Kahlei' last='Clark'] and Layla Silcox took big swings throughout the game for the Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCreary Central plays Clay County in the Class 2A State Sectional Tournament at Noon Saturday at Bell County. Wayne County next plays at Somerset Christian on Sept. 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749482"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":881779,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b1292a3b7c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Denney's experience came in handy in this match. Denney stays calm under duress. Denney sets hot hands but is not afraid to spread things around so opponents can not key on one player. The jump sets help her hit targets well. Denney added in some sound jump serves to keep McCreary Central out of rhythm. Denney said she has learned to read blocks and move the sets into various positions to help her teammates put balls down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749748"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":881784,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b1292a3b886"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark has great size and the Cardinals try to take full advantage of it. The lefty hits balls at unique angles making it difficult for opponents. Clark mixed in soft touches putting balls over double blocks near the shallow line. Clark said the team tries to come together and pick each other up. Clark added she's not afraid to locate shots in different directions away from blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594477"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":881787,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b1292a3b931"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Cardinals needed a big kill, Edwards came through. Edwards puts great force into balls using her athleticism. Edwards (pictured) made things happen from the middle and the pins. Edwards reacted quickly on blocked balls to keep plays alive and did not get discouraged after mistakes. She is also a solid passer. Edwards said playing with her Wayne County teammates on the South Central Sparks helps because they already have a connection with each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":881791,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Callie Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wayne County ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b12c5175dc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is giving the Cardinals quality passes as the libero. Baker reads hitters well and does what she can to get to balls. Baker makes the simple passes to Denney to jumpstart the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783569"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":881793,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b12c5175e3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan consistently hustles hard after balls only diving when necessary to keep plays alive. Ryan reads hitter tendencies well and tries to beat the ball to the spot. Ryan showed she can handle hard and softly hit balls. Ryan is also not afraid to set balls out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":881795,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b12c5175ea5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Terry contributes in almost every statistical category for the Raiders. Terry makes a simple pass then quickly transitions to offense to take big swings. Terry does what she can trying to help McCreary Central control the net. She had a number of sound blocks against Wayne County's big hitters. Terry will continue to improve as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unofficial</strong> <strong>Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='594477' first='Addison' last='Edwards'], Wayne County - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Layla Silcox, McCreary Central - 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='749748' first='Harlow' last='Clark'], Wayne County - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='811598' first='Bailey' last='Terry'], McCreary Central - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='749482' first='Hannah' last='Denney'], Wayne County - 43</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella Reynolds, McCreary Central - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella Shook, McCreary Central - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='783569' first='Madison' last='Ryan'], McCreary Central - 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callie Baker, Wayne County - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612011' first='Kahlei' last='Clark'], McCreary Central - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbe Hicks, Wayne County - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denney - 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briell Domi, Wayne County - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silcox - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella Reynolds, McCreary Central - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terry - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terry - 4</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 -->