Solid setters/defensive specialists on Day one of Bluegrass Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first session at Lexington Catholic saw a mixture of things. Lexington Catholic won Pool D over Bullitt Central and Newport Central Catholic. But the improved Thoroughbreds took the host Knights to three games before LexCath pulled it out, 2-1 (18-21, 21-8, 15-9). Teams played to 21 points in the first two sets and 15 in the third with caps of 23 and 17 points, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport Central Catholic showed it may be once again ready to make some waves in the 9th Region. The Thoroughbreds showed their experience from club season, rolling right into the Bluegrass Games. Bullitt Central may take some early lumps under new head coach William Davis, but they could pay off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An improved George Rogers Clark beat Johnson Central and Collins to win Pool G2. The Cardinals had to go three games against Collins, but pulled it out by 21-12, 17-21, 17-16 scores. George Rogers Clark returns some experience in Kainan Hudson's fifth season as head coach and the Cardinals hope to ride it back to the 10th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins and Johnson Central will be fine. Collins fought hard to the end against George Rogers Clark and will once again be in the hunt for a district crown. The Eagles were missing three starters including [player_tooltip player_id='603814' first='Chloe' last='Reed'], but she is expected back at the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["850203"],"_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-688d8dd231a01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper (pictured) does a great job setting her feet and putting balls on target going toward the net. She makes the most of the passes both in and out of system. Cooper has a sound back set and an amazing jump serve. Cooper gies the Cardinals a key piece as they try to make it back to the 10th Region Tournament this year. Cooper said she tries to set ball at the various heights and speeds the hitters need to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741875"],"_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":850262,"_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-688d8dd231a74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warner does a sound job anticipating where balls are going and trying to beat balls to their spots. She provides the Knights solid net protection. Warner tries to stop her feet when making the first touches. Warner said that important because it allows players to get to unpredictable balls. Warner added the seniors are making sure everyone is staying focused knowing teams are aiming for the defending 11th Region champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397714"],"_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":850264,"_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-688d8dd231aca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garrison played a big role helping the Spartans go 2-0 in pool play at Tates Creek on Friday. Garrison makes sound first touches. She made sound serves that kept South Laurel out of rhythm. Garrison credited BRAVO coach Jessica Lucas for working with her on serve reception. That improvement showed Friday.8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781733"],"_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":"","_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-688d8dd231b18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hall brings a lot of vocal leadership to the Eagles and backed it up with her play when she came in. Hall digs up hard-hit balls from sound attackers and makes solid out of system passes. Hall helped make the most of the situation as Johnson Central played without three starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["504705"],"_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":850267,"_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-688d8dd231b73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Best has good trajectory on her sets putting the Bardstown hitters in great position to put balls down. Best does a variety of sets including the back set and runs the pipe play. Best said she takes pride in being a leader, communicating on the court and running sound plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778285"],"_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":850271,"_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-688d8dd231bc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roy has clearly learned the hitters for the Lakers and does a great job helping the team stay organized. She mixes up her serves and served hard. She kept Rowan County out of system some in the final game Friday night. Roy skipped a few serves off the net.</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 -->