Halloween Smash Day One Notables

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first day of the annual Halloween Smash finished with a memorable game. The Whitley County Colonels and Highlands Bluebirds battled to the end in a best-of-three game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the dust settled, the three-time defending 13th Region champion Colonels came away with the 2-1 win, taking the third set 15-13. Eighth grade middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] recorded the game-winning block for Whitley County. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitley County and host Lafayette won both games to take the top seeds in the first games Saturday morning. Whitley County faces Morgan County at 9 a.m. on court two and Lafayette takes on Nelson County at 8 a.m. on court one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands and Boyd County wound up taking the two seeds. The Bluebirds also went three games to beat Lexington Christian. The Bluebirds battle the second Lafayette team at 8 a.m. on court two and Boyd County takes on Lexington Christian on court one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893446"],"_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-68e9e44501301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bennett (pictured) is turning into a nice option for the Colonels. She runs effective tandems with stud teammate [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'], taking sound swings. Bennett pounds down overpassed balls and has good touches on her blocks. Bennett had the game-winning block in the win over Highlands. Bennett said she listens to her coaches and teammates on block attempts, adding it's about good footwork, keeping the momentum going and not getting down on herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["839058"],"_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":893458,"_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-68e9e6ca4e649"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janosick makes smart decisions at the net. Janosick takes a number of four and five sets and mixes up her hits, including soft tips to the middle. Janosick has played a big part in the strong Highlands net defense this year with her timing and reach. Janosick said the Bluebirds focus a lot on blocking, adding putting touches on balls helps the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523334"],"_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":893463,"_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-68e9e7e917154"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hensley does a great job powering balls through blocks. Hensley takes good approaches to the net then powers balls to the ground with a great wrist snap. Hensley goes hard after balls defensively. Hensley said she has been working on the timing of her swings with setter [player_tooltip player_id='397717' first='Elise' last='Trimble'], noting it has hit a peek at this point in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479269"],"_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":893470,"_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-68e9eac51ce5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it comes to routine plays, Moore has done them so many times they've become second nature for her. She anticipates balls well, consistently beating them to their spots then does what she can to make good two to three-point passes, even if it means going to her knees trying to dig up low line drive hits. Moore had some digs on Hensley and [player_tooltip player_id='484422' first='Audrey' last='Gossett'] in the second game. On top of that, Moore is a great leader on the court for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778442"],"_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":893472,"_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-68e9eac51cee1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Biliter continuously makes nice first touches, especially on serve reception, for the Eagles. She provides good net coverage and sound out of system passes. Biliter continually shouts on where defenders are and where to put balls to teammates and is very enthusiastic both on and off the court. Biliter said Lexington Christian practices out of system passes a lot so hitters can take good wrist snaps. Biliter added the hope is to have hitters lined up inside the court and not too far out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741092"],"_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":893475,"_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-68e9eac51cf37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buster has great technique at the libero spot for the Cardinals. She makes the routine passes, only lunging after balls when necessary. Buster also provides sound net coverage for Nelson County. Buster said her hustling is just a mentality she's developed playing the sport over the years. Buster said it's important for Nelson County to move on after every ball, especially after the graduation losses from a year ago.</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 -->