All “A” State Day One Notable Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some upsets on the first day of the All "A" State Tournament at the Owensboro Convention Center. However, five teams won both games on the first day of pool play in Beechwood, Ballard Memorial, Sayre, Trinity Christian and Knott County Central. Each team except Knott County Central clinched spots in the Championship Bracket on Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other four spots will be determined Saturday morning. Eminence and Holy Cross (Louisville) will battle for the second spot in Pool B after both losing to Beechwood, but besting Bethlehem. Owensboro Catholic and Shelby Valley will fight for the second spot in Pool C at 9:15 a.m. CST after going 1-1, both losing to Trinity Christian out of Lexington and beating Metcalfe County. The second spot out of Pool D is Raceland's to grab with a win over Heritage (Hopkinsville) at the same time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool D is an interesting spot. Knott County Central and Raceland can grab them with wins at 9:15 a.m. CST back at the Owensboro Convention Center. If Williamsburg and Raceland both win, it will put those two plays Knott County Central in a three-way tie at 2-1 in pool play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612250"],"_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-68c4f9cbd377e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stanton is a sound six-rotation player for the Titans. Stanton hits balls hard to the lines and off blockers. Stanton also made a number of sound passes to help the Titans get into a good rhythm. Stanton said the energy and solid passing helped the Titans rally past Shelby Valley and Owensboro Catholic in Pool C play. Stanton added the hitting is most consistent when the team is in system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484443"],"_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":885869,"_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-68c4fe38aee77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Armstrong disrupted the net in both Beechwood wins with sound timing on her blocks against solid hitters. Armstrong also took great swings to power balls through and by double blocks. Armstrong is not afraid to back off the net to make crisp first passes when the opponent sends over free balls or hits roll shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774762"],"_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-68c4fe38aefe6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinhead made big plays when the Spartants needed then in both wins Friday. She takes sound swings at the net and had some key blocks in the third set against Bishop Brossart. Kinkead played at a fast pace during club season and it has helped her transition well to the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535231"],"_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-68c5025e5f6c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry helped the Kates salvage a win on the first day after not being able to close out the game against Trinity Christian. She makes sound passes and does what she can to make sure Shelby Valley takes solid swings. Perry said bringing the energy up, communicating better and trying to put balls down helped the Kats pull out the three-set win over Metcalfe County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815199"],"_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-68c5025e5f72c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hutchison helps give the Warriors plenty of size on the front line. She is a pure blocker that at least gets touches on balls to help the defensive specialists. Hutchison executes quicks and ones really well and puts down overpassed balls with authority.</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 -->