Five Region Championship Games This Evening

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Whitley County Colonels won the first region championship game of the postseason with a tough 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 30-32, 25-23, 15-11) victory over Corbin in the fifth meeting between the two teams this season. Whitley County has won the 13th Region four years in a row and travels to the 16th Region winner in the first round of the state tournament Monday. Five more teams will capture region titles this evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McCracken County (30-7) vs. Graves County (18-11) at Calloway County, 6 p.m. Central Standard Time.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs find themselves back in the region title and hoping to win it for the 13th straight season since opening as a school in 2013. [player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'], [player_tooltip player_id='533342' first='Penny' last='Kirkham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'] lead a sound Mustangs defense that could be challenged by the Graves County front line. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='757541' first='Taylor' last='Dugan'] is once again having another sound season with the talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'] leading the offensive attack. Kampbell Dunning, [player_tooltip player_id='533343' first='Reagan' last='Hill'], [player_tooltip player_id='813127' first='Emily' last='Hatfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg'] give the Mustangs balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are not playing against history, but they do have a huge mountain to overcome. McCracken County has never lost to a 1st Region team including all 18 meetings against the Eagles. Graves County did take one set in two of the three meetings two years ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graves County has the size advantage against McCracken County with [player_tooltip player_id='535247' first='MaryKate' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='397722' first='Ella' last='Morton']. Emerson Elliott and [player_tooltip player_id='774411' first='Chloe' last='Wade'] give the Eagles offensive balance from setters [player_tooltip player_id='738480' first='Emma' last='Joiner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='551813' first='Zoie' last='Joiner']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='397721' first='Ryleigh' last='Belknap'], Destiny McKenty and Caleigh Robertson lead the Eagles defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elizabethtown (28-9) vs. Central Hardin (26-10), 6:30 p.m. CST.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17th District rivals meet once again for the region championship. Elizabethtown has won all three meetings this year including the district championship six days ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533345' first='Addison' last='Janes'] does a great job setting up two powerful hitters in the 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Jessica' last='Smallwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton'] in addition to [player_tooltip player_id='831611' first='Ella' last='Brown']. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='761937' first='Lexi' last='Davis'] looks to go over 500 digs on the season with [player_tooltip player_id='533346' first='Grace' last='Godfrey'], MaKenna Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='594451' first='Ava' last='Holley'] aiding the defensive effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins hope to pull some rabbits out of hats in this latest battle. [player_tooltip player_id='212389' first='Graci' last='Blair'] and Ramsey Nickell set things up for the Bruins. The hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='212390' first='Klaire' last='Warrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='806039' first='Kate' last='Disselkamp'], [player_tooltip player_id='755657' first='Audrey' last='Stearman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591652' first='Jordan' last='Fortner'] need to get hands on balls at the net to slow balls down for the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='484295' first='Katelynn' last='Camenzind'], [player_tooltip player_id='876092' first='Rylie' last='Conley'] and Addison Sergo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mercy (27-10) vs. Holy Cross (Louisville), 7 p.m. EST.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars stand on the cusp of making it back to the state tournament for the 46th time in the 47th year of the tournament and the 45th straight year, having only missed it in 1980. [player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden'] leads the charge for the deeply talented Jaguars with [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'] providing sound all-around play for Mercy. [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='603781' first='Ellie' last='Sharpe'] are also having good seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy has used [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'], [player_tooltip player_id='479299' first='Addison' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='556153' first='Olivia' last='Duncan'] at setter this year. The defensive leaders are [player_tooltip player_id='797942' first='Reese' last='Houston'], [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479300' first='Jenna' last='Hawkins'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have won 28 in a row against the Cougars dating back to 2011. Holy Cross could break the streak with big games from twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] in addition to [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] and Braelyn Logsdon providing balance for setter [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] to set up. [player_tooltip player_id='898305' first='Ellery' last='Warnock'], [player_tooltip player_id='784803' first='Kylie' last='Harrington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] give the Cougars a solid defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame (28-7) vs. St. Henry (24-15) at Ryle, 6 p.m. EST.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One might not have seen this matchup a few weeks ago, but in true Dominant Five fashion, the Crusaders won the rubber match of the season against Beechwood, 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 25-19) on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame still has a nice size advantage with [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'], [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'], [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] and [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'] up front along with [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='484450' first='Leah' last='Bowman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] attacking on the outside with good sets from [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp']. [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'] have gained valuable experience on defense all season and hope to see it pay off in this latest battle against the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Henry has rediscovered its identity in the postseason starting on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert']. [player_tooltip player_id='709517' first='Violet' last='Main'], [player_tooltip player_id='594619' first='Emily' last='Helmers'], [player_tooltip player_id='805561' first='Gianna' last='Butler'], [player_tooltip player_id='451098' first='Madi' last='Demler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727147' first='Molly' last='Blackburn'] hope to give the Crusaders the needed balance to pull off the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knott County Central (35-2) at Leslie County (26-8), 6 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rubber match in this series will decide the region winner. The Patriots have lost just once in the All "A" Championship Flight quarterfinals to Holy Cross (Louisville) since losing the season opener against the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knott County Central hopes to repeat as region champions behind the defense led by [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] and Kaylee King. Two sound setters in [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='792174' first='Avery' last='Conley'] set up the talented [player_tooltip player_id='276172' first='Taylor' last='Baker'], 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'], Ava Waddell, Kynlee Baker and Rylee Craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leslie County is having a nice season under first-year head coach Natalie Washburn. [player_tooltip player_id='771728' first='Royce' last='Osborne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='603770' first='Jaelyn' last='Johnson'] are the leaders for the Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id='837880' first='Sarah' last='Osborne'] and Hailey Napier set them up as well as Peyton Hochstetler. Tatum Begley is also key player for the Eagles defensively.</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":["535247"],"_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-690267ea31ac2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller might need to have the game of her career to help the Eagles drive past the queens of the region. Miller brings versatility to the Eagles. Miller makes nice in-air adjustments and puts balls different spots on the court. Miller can make nice passes then quickly transition to offense. She has a quick arm swing and the ability to take swings on pipes and other plays in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755657"],"_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-69026a2c569a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stearman has shown the ability to make things happen at the net using her size well. Stearman forms sound double blocks with teammates and finds different ways to put balls down. Stearman makes things happen from the outside and pins. Stearman can even slide into gaps and take sound shots off shoots. Stearman hits balls off blocks and pushes balls away from defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898305"],"_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-690270449878a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warnock has had the breakthrough year the Cougars needed to help them back to the region championship game. Warnock reads balls well then takes the steps needed to put her body in position to make clean first passes. The consistent Warnock has shown she can handle hard crosses and other tough hits to keep plays alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594619"],"_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-6902716a114ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helmers has come through in the clutch when the Crusaders have needed her the most including a 16 kill performance in the region semifinals against Beechwood. Helmers goes up strong and powers balls through and over double blocks. She hits balls to the front and back courts making defenses have to guard every square inch of the court. Helmers is also a sound blocker for the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603770"],"_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-6902763f697a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson's versatility has helped the Eagles to the region championship game. Johnson (pictured) makes crisp passes then quickly uses a sound approach to take hard swings. Her accuracy improved throughout the season. Johnson also does a good job sending free balls across the net with a purpose.</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 two years 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. 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