Class 2A, All “A” State Tournament fields mostly set

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All but one spot out of the 24 combined in these two tournaments that take place in Owensboro on Sept. 12 and 13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That one spot is the 14th Region winner. That will be determined Tuesday at Buckhorn. The semifinals take place Monday with undefeated Leslie County (11-0 overall) taking on Breathitt County (6-3) with Knott County Central (9-1) battling Jenkins (2-5) in the other round. The title game takes place one day later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool play begins for the All "A" on Friday at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time at the Owensboro Convention Center. St. Henry historically dominates this tournament, but choose to play in the Louisville Invitational this year instead, which is the same weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pools B and C have the potential to be hard-fought battles. Pool B features Beechwood, Eminence, Holy Cross (Louisville) and Bethlehem. Beechwood may be the favorite, but will have to earn the way into the championship flight on Saturday. The Tigers (9-1) are led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'], [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'] in addition to libero [player_tooltip player_id='796736' first='Maggie' last='Dawson'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep']. [player_tooltip player_id='397726' first='Isabel' last='Bakker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'] provide quality net play with [player_tooltip player_id='594624' first='Kendale' last='Lair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797739' first='Piper' last='Steinmetz'] helping to form a solid defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool C has Owensboro Catholic, Trinity Christian out of Lexington, Shelby Valley and Metcalfe County. Shelby Valley could come into the tournament undefeated at 13-0 if the Kate win both home games prior to the tournament. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612248' first='Talynn' last='Johnson'] has taken over the setting duties to allow Junior standout hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535230' first='Miley' last='Riddle'] focus on hitting and defense. Johnson also sets sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='741700' first='Sahnia' last='Linton']. The Kats have seen juniors [player_tooltip player_id='535231' first='Ryleigh' last='Perry'], [player_tooltip player_id='740604' first='Makaya' last='Price'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='800657' first='Aaron' last='Elkins'] rise up on defense. Perry, sophomore Lindsay Baldwin and freshman Isabella Gravely can also take big swings when needed for the Kats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, Owensboro Catholic and Trinity could have a say. They've both been battle-tested. The Aces have seen senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='474729' first='Molly' last='Arnold'] dominate the back row with junior sister [player_tooltip player_id='749723' first='Payton' last='Arnold'] providing sound play on other parts of the court. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='852164' first='Mayme' last='Powell'] has done well setting up hitters such as seniors Ava Martin and Addie Oller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool A features Bishop Brossart, Sayre, Kentucky Country Day and Ballard Memorial. Brossart could be the favorite with the way 6-2 junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='515259' first='Callie' last='Ritter'] is playing now. Ritter has 133 kills on the season for the Mustangs (7-3), who are making their seventh straight appearance in the All "A" State Tournament. Ritter has received a lot of help from juniors [player_tooltip player_id='832519' first='Hailey' last='Heitker'], [player_tooltip player_id='732580' first='Leah' last='Robinson'] and two freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='885299' first='Evelyn' last='Laker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='885509' first='Emma' last='Sheanshang']. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] continues to improve with sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='587827' first='Grace' last='Frommeyer'] putting together another outstanding year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='727153' first='Payton' last='Marshall'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] along with eighth grader Audrey Arnold have helped Brossart put together a sound defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Christian (8-1) has also been battle-tested. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397725' first='Claire' last='Connor'] leads the Titans. Sophomore Harper Huhn and senior Brooke Bridgewater lead the Titans on defense with sophomores Elizabeth Battaile and [player_tooltip player_id='612250' first='Amelia' last='Stanton'] leading the way offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champion Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions and Lexington Catholic Knights have won the 2A state crown in the past and the Knights may come in favored with CAL missing its best player with a season-ending injury in the Bluegrass Games in [player_tooltip player_id='601632' first='Kayleigh' last='Rogers']. However, the Centurions have seen plenty of players pick up the slack. Kally Roy leads a balanced offensive attack with setters Celia Harvey and Olivia Lewis distributing balls well. [player_tooltip player_id='479282' first='Katrina' last='Oswald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484282' first='Mia' last='Boyd'] lead the Centurions defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will be tested against Rowan County led by the dynamic junior hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] and a tough setter in senior [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones']. When the likes of sisters Ella Brinker, [player_tooltip player_id='874785' first='Eva' last='Brinker'] or even Brooklyn Tenyer have big games, the Valkyries are even tougher. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May'] lead Rowan County defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated Lexington Catholic (8-0) is on the other side. [player_tooltip player_id='741875' first='Maddy' last='Warner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874997' first='Finley' last='Quinn'] have made sound passes to dynamic setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] all season. [player_tooltip player_id='212388' first='Payton' last='Avilez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212387' first='Ella' last='Blackburn'] lead the Knights offensively with [player_tooltip player_id='535172' first='Miller' last='Duncan'] giving the team size in the middle. They'll have to contend with senior lefty [player_tooltip player_id='845720' first='Kayden' last='Patrick'] for Calloway County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The championship games take place Saturday. The All "A" title game takes place at 2 p.m. with the 2A title game taking place at 4 p.m.</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":["397726"],"_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-68be6133dbce7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bakker makes it tough for opponents to focus on one player with her swings from the outsides. She mixes things up with soft and hard hits. Here defense is also something to be reckoned with. Bakker reads defenses well then makes crisp passes under control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["800657"],"_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-68be6133dbd3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkins gives the Kats sound passing defensively. Elkins eyes hitters, backs up on balls and lines her arms up to make smooth passes. Elkins has also provided Shelby Valley with a lift serving the ball. Elkins sends hard serves to different parts of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832519"],"_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-68be6133dbd8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heitker has helped give the Mustangs the desired balance on the outside. Heitker angles balls off blockers for big points and takes big swings to the back row. Heitker also forms good double blocks. Heitker will receive a number of one-on-one opportunities at the net with the way Brossart consistently involves three hitting options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749723"],"_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-68be659edfaa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold played with some of her current Owensboro Catholic teammates during the spring and developed greater connections that are paying off this fall, including her older sister Molly. Arnold does a good job reading opponents and going hard after balls. Some tough competition in the spring has also helped her pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768460"],"_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-68be6a6e0915d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sisk saw a lot of fast-paced action in the spring, helping her adjust to the varsity level quicker than others. Sisk brings versatility to the Knights with her ability to swing from all six spots on the floor. She makes crisp passes then quickly transitions to offense.</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 -->