3A Under The Radar Athletes At Semi-State

The Exposure Tour is a month away! Use code KypPD25 for a discount at registration!   With only eight teams remaining in each class, every team is under a very large microscope when it comes to scouting and preparing how to win. Today, we'll spend a little time talking about an athlete from each team that flies under the radar—-an x-factor, if you will, to that team's victory.    A young lady by the name of Macie is the primary attacker for the Huskies. But what about everyone else? There has to be help coming from somewhere, and that someone is Olivia. Pounding double digit kills in four of her last five matches, she's the perfect complement to keep defenses from keying in on Miss Smith, and has the ability to go on a hot streak on offense.     Addie is a big wall of a net defender that had 7 blocks in only 3 sets of play at regionals. Defense is more than the libero, and I'm sure the libero behind her is thankful she's taking some of the defensive load. Broad-shouldered and strong, I'm listing middle for her position, but she could play right side as well at the next level, as her defense is much needed this time of year—-or any time of year, for that matter.     Speaking of big and physical, Adele's play in the middle makes attackers AND defenders think twice about her. With her size, speed and volleyball acuity, she earned 15 kills and 6 blocks last week. For a middle, that's a fantastic complement to have in addition to a primary attacker. Adele will need to bring all of that and more for Marian to advance further this fall.     Middles are the unsung heroines of volleyball. Their motors have to be constant, and they have to be ready to attack on each and every transition to keep blockers honest. Then there's Kendall, who went OFF last weekend. Her 14 kills and 9 (!!!) blocks while hitting .478 is one of the best middle stat lines in the state from last Saturday. Taking pressure off of defenders behind her and setters that feed her, Kendall is a prime candidate for an “under the radar” type of evaluation….but not with a stat line like that for much longer. She could mess around and become a primary for her squad—-as a middle.     Virtually anyone who's watched Tri-West for the last couple of years knows who the primary attacker is. Yet, once again, no volleyball team gets her by themselves. To take pressure off of Miss Ward, look no further than pin attacker Chloe. Fully capable of putting balls away from anywhere, she's the outside a team needs when things don't go to plan; a nice outlet attacker that can be relied upon to score points exactly when needed.     Different year, different class, same successful Brownstown Central volleyball. But without Sophie, can the Braves make it this far? Insert Aylah, a transfer from Jennings County, who has been nothing short of perfect for this squad. Her ability to terminate and take the pressure off of Miss Wischmeier. The Braves will need every bit of help they can get to get past #2 Roncalli this Saturday.     Speaking of the Royals, I guess it's irrelevant to consider Norah as “under the radar”, as she's had to step in from the beginning of this season and be the leader needed at the setting position. It's one thing to be part of a 6-2 and be a role player. As THE setter for Roncalli, Nora has stepped up BIG TIME for the defending 3A champs. Her 51 assists in 4 sets against #1 Cathedral last week are proof that she's more than taken the role of starting setter and elevated her opportunity.

The Exposure Tour is a month away! Use code KypPD25 for a discount at registration!