Five Games to See This Week in the Commonwealth

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paintsville (10-7) at Johnson Central (10-8), 8 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 57th District rivals meet for the first time this fall. They could again meet four times this season. Johnson Central won both regular season meetings last year, but Paintsville won the 57th District and 15th Region crowns against the Eagles in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paintsville managed to take one game against North Hardin in the Thoroughbred Smash on Saturday in Lexington. [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] had 17 kills in that win and [player_tooltip player_id='816699' first='Mallory' last='May'] had nine. Freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='890171' first='Addison' last='Helton'] and senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='882232' first='Ella' last='Wells'] dished out 14 and 13 assists, respectively. Freshman Kendall Short leads the Tigers on defense with 157 digs with Kinner tallying 359 kills, 143 digs and 42 aces. May has 151 kills with Wells recording 289 assists and Helton has 271.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson Central will counter with libero [player_tooltip player_id='479280' first='Carrigan' last='Ratliff'], defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='781733' first='Leah' last='Hall'] and sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='781608' first='Payton' last='Duncan']. Duncan can set the 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id='762073' first='Macie' last='Clark'] in the middle in addition to [player_tooltip player_id='603814' first='Chloe' last='Reed'], [player_tooltip player_id='837159' first='Reese' last='Day'], [player_tooltip player_id='781727' first='Hannah' last='Lakes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='814102' first='Jacee' last='Baker']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Clay (18-5) at Bryan Station (11-9), 7:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one could go five sets with the way both teams have been playing lately. Henry Clay has won seven of its last eight games going 4-1 in the Rocky Top Classic in Knoxville. The Devils won both games against Boyle County and Madison Central last week. Bryan Station won all seven games last week including a huge win at Paul Laurence Dunbar then won the Woodford County Invitational over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good things happen when balls end up in the hands of senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397716' first='Emma' last='Jane Hurley'] for Henry Clay. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='796354' first='Lola' last='Gleason'] has started things off well with first touches along with [player_tooltip player_id='754079' first='Riley' last='Slattery'] and Sydney Cain. Hurley then sets up a number of talented hitters led by [player_tooltip player_id='832728' first='Heidi' last='Fay'], [player_tooltip player_id='753685' first='Kelsie' last='Lawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='812356' first='Charlotte' last='Young']. Junior Katherine Haynes and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='879599' first='Annie' last='Millar'] give the Devils the balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan Station has a nice one-two punch with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='212249' first='Cameron' last='Owens'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='768308' first='Nyalie' last='Locke']. Eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='882181' first='Tylah' last='Walker']. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='888196' first='Lily' last='Howard'], [player_tooltip player_id='794979' first='Jojo' last='Covington'] and eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='889777' first='Sophia' last='Newman'] anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Letcher County Central (11-5) at Knott County Central (16-2), 6 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending 14th Region champion Patriots have not missed a beat despite key graduations as evidenced by the 15-game winning streak that led to another All "A" 14th Region crown, a 3-0 run through pool play in the All "A" state tournament and a spot in the Championship Flight quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='276172' first='Taylor' last='Baker'] has given Knott County Central solid all-around play with [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] stepping nicely into the libero role. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='792174' first='Avery' last='Conley'] give Knott County Central two nice options at setter. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'] gives the Patriots size in the middle at 6-3. Senior Ava Waddell is another good option for the Patriots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other side starts with dynamic eighth grade setter [player_tooltip player_id='762378' first='Piper' last='Adams'], who enters the week one dig shy of 200 on the season. She already has 624 for her career. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='795371' first='Katie' last='Combs'] also gives the Cougars sound defensive play. Junior Kelsi Holbrook and eighth grader Chloe Wright have handled the setting duties. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612103' first='Evany' last='Pack'] along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='603819' first='Hanna' last='Eldridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771734' first='Calissa' last='Lowe'] have hit triple figures in kills on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match features sisters on the opposite side of the net. Bailey's younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='819895' first='Tiara' last='Bailey'] is a sophomore opposite hitter for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wayne County (7-6) at McCreary Central (11-9), 7:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals have won 36 in a row in this series, but the Raiders made things interesting taking a set in the loss Aug. 28 in Monticello. McCreary Central comes into the week on a five-game winning streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='749482' first='Hannah' last='Denney'] leads the Cardinals in assists, digs and aces. The Cardinals feature senior [player_tooltip player_id='594477' first='Addison' last='Edwards'], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='749748' first='Harlow' last='Clark'] in addition to freshman Anastyn Gossage and junior Abbe Hicks. Junior Briell Domi and freshman Callie Baker have helped give Wayne County a strong defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with dynamic junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='783569' first='Madison' last='Ryan'] for the Raiders. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='811598' first='Bailey' last='Terry'] is the team's kills leaders with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='612011' first='Kahlei' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888256' first='Layla' last='Silcox'] giving the team sound all-around play. [player_tooltip player_id='779183' first='Raylee' last='Wilson'] gives the team good senior leadership. Two eighth graders in Kyndal Wilson and Bella Reynolds lead the team in assists. Junior Bella Shook has also set a good bit this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grant County (9-5) at Walton-Verona (7-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two have met in the 32nd District semifinals in each of the past two seasons with the Braves winning both. Grant County won a five-set thriller during the regular season before taking the Bearcats out in four in the semifinals in Dry Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='479311' first='Izzy' last='Russell'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='535203' first='Olivia' last='Ginn'] are back and playing as solid as ever. Russell leads the team in kills. Ginn leads the team in digs and is also one of the setters along with senior Taylor Masters. Sophomore Jayden Kelly has also given Grant County sound defensive play with junior [player_tooltip player_id='697458' first='Rylee' last='Akers'] turning into more of an offensive threat this year. Senior Mallie Bates is also a hitting option for Grant County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats feature junior dynamic hitter [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh']. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='889588' first='Ashlan' last='Emerson'] has also emerged offensively with freshman Olivia Simpkins taking over as the primary setter. Senior Reece Floyd and junior Annie Allen lead the team in digs. Grant County has won six in a row in the series.</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":["762073"],"_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-68d0c570e23ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark has shown she can be a force at the net. Her confidence grew tremendously during club season and it is paying off for the Eagles. She takes nice swings at the net and forms timely double blocks with teammates, consistently forcing balls high and wide. When the setters hit her at the top of her swing, she sends balls down with force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888196"],"_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-68d0cc717d815"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howard has stepped into a big role for the Defenders and come up huge in the current seven-game winning streak. She anticipates balls well, moving her feet forward quickly then making concise passes. Howard also makes nice out of system passes. She can turn into a solid libero with improved ball control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888256"],"_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-68d0cc717d8db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Silcox (pictured) does a great job seeing the other side of the floor and finding different ways to put balls down. She hits balls hard from the pins and the middle. She can even send soft crosses away from defensive specialists. Silcox paints the back line a good bit. Silcox hit a big one off a block in last week's win over Pulaski County, which was just the second time dating all the way back to 2001 the Raiders had beaten the Maroons. Silcox is also a sound passer for McCreary Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612103"],"_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-68d0d2c68dfe1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pack has delivered versatility for the Cougars. She makes sound mid-air adjustments and pounds balls with a strong wrist snap. Pack is also a sound server, often keeping opponents out of rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697458"],"_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-68d0d2c68e051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akers was primarily a defensive and serving specialist for the Braves last year. Akers is taking more swings this year trying to give Grant County balance with 82 kills thus far after only recording 10 last year. Akers sends tough crosses from the go routes and tips balls to the middle to keep defenses guessing. Akers takes quality out of system swings. Akers still gives the Braves sound first touches and serves.</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 -->