Notable hitters on Third Day of Bluegrass Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 24-time state champion Assumption Rockets did come away with the tournament championship of the annual Bluegrass Games over the three-day period in Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the main story centered on who they beat to do it and who they did not play along the way. The other two Louisville powers Sacred Heart and Mercy were also there. While they made it to the championship flight, they did not make it to the semifinals. South Warren knocked off Mercy in the quarterfinals and Elizabethtown bested Sacred Heart in the same round before beating South Warren then losing to Assumption in the title game to finish tournament runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown 6-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Jessica' last='Smallwood'] and the Panthers are trying to make the most of her final season and it showed in the tournament. The Panthers found themselves in system a good bit allowing Smallwood and [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton'] to take their swings. That and aggressive serving propelled them over Sacred Heart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the title game, Elizabethtown hung with Assumption in the first game before the Rockets pulled away. [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] proved to be too much for the Panthers hitting at all six spots on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='212400' first='Jillian' last='Bohannon'] has stepped into the setter role nicely and the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='212399' first='Kathryn' last='O'Toole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800149' first='Iris' last='Williams'] are giving the Rockets the usual play on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212396' first='Emily' last='Keiran'], [player_tooltip player_id='828188' first='Carle' last='Hooe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212398' first='Ella' last='Askin'] did not play, but others more than kept us the play the Rockets have enjoyed over the years. [player_tooltip player_id='212401' first='Addison' last='Pence'], [player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'] and [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'] also showed they are ready to take big swings offensively. The game did feature some elements of familiarity as Smallwood, Bohannon and O'Toole played on the KIVA 17 Red team together in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Warren had solid play to make it to the semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='397714' first='McKenzie' last='Garrison'] consistently dug up tough balls all tournament allowing the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='771037' first='Allie' last='Chestnut'] and [player_tooltip player_id='450941' first='Zoie' last='Elrod'] to take their swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard also made it to the semifinals for the first time in the history of the Bluegrass Games. The 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'] and 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'] overwhelmed teams in the middle with the quicks. They got some down on Assumption in the semifinals. However, they could not match the speed of the Assumption offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the teams to make it to the championship flight, Male may have been the biggest surprise. The Bulldogs took Sacred Heart to the wire in the 7th Region championship game in 2021, but have struggled since then. However, they showed they may be ready to turn a new leaf in the Bluegrass Games. They rallied past Lafayette in the first round before losing to Ballard. Despite that, they showed a lot of enthusiasm on the sidelines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Hitters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["851613"],"_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-68916b4192e23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lee stepped in for injured Rockets and demonstrated how she can make a difference. Lee disrupts things at the net with her timely blocking and takes good swings. Lee put a hard kill down on Smallwood in the championship game against Elizabethtown. Lee said everyone has been supportive of her trying to figure out how things are done at Assumption.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212346"],"_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":851619,"_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-68916b4192eae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown (pictured) gives the Panthers some good swings from the right side, taking attention away from teammates. She mixes her hits up well. She kept Sacred Heart out of rhythm with her low line drive serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771037"],"_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-68916b4192efb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chestnut played a huge role in leading the Spartans to the Championship Flight semifinals with a sound all-around tournament. Chestnut pounds balls to different places on the court and makes crisp passes. She did land a block on Smallwood in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484247"],"_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-68916b4192f43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Frey is a versatile lefty that takes amazing swings from both pins. She has a good wrist snap and uses different parts of the court to keep defenses guessing. Frey will land a good number of kills when the Valkyries are in system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["577773"],"_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-68916b4192f89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilliland is back on the court and very determined. Her vertical has reached a high peak and it showed on her powerful hits to both lines, especially on the go routes. She has great wrist snaps to put more power into balls and take blockers away from the middle. Gilliland has also developed a good jump serve as a six-rotation player and makes crisp passes. Gilliland said she's trying to be smarter, more agile and versatile on the court. She added she's trying to be there for her teammates, noting her voice goes a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["845809"],"_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-68916ef6964e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilman is one of the reasons the Bulldogs aim to turn some corners this year. Tilman brings great energy to the court. She goes up with a purpose and takes solid contact. Tilman is also a sound blocker. Tilman said she has been working on her timing lately.</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 -->