Region Tournament rundowns, predictions Regions 9-16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This side has some potential for a first-time region winner. The 13th and 14th Regions played their quarterfinal rounds on Saturday. In the 13th at Clay County, Harlan County, Corbin, North Laurel and Whitley County advanced to Monday's semifinals. Harlan County takes on Corbin at 6 p.m. with North Laurel facing Whitley County at 7:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 14th Region saw the lone game of the day go four sets with Letcher County Central beating Breathitt County, 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 25-27, 25-20). Host Leslie County, defending region champion Knott County Central and Wolfe County also advanced to Monday's semifinals. Knott County Central takes on Wolfe County at 6 p.m. before Leslie County plays host to Letcher County Central at 8 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the region's progress altogether, the Notre Dame Pandas (26-7) retain a handle on it going 11-0 against region opponents and not losing a set. Albeit, St. Henry is not in the usual second spot after Ryle and Beechwood beat the Crusaders during the regular season so there has been a changing of the guard there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame has seen younger players such as [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] step forward on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'] emerge at setter with the experienced [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins']. The size up front is second to none in the state on average with [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'], [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik']. [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] and the lefty [player_tooltip player_id='484450' first='Leah' last='Bowman'] give the Pandas balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beechwood could have the best chance to upset the Pandas with junior all-around [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'], [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'], [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'] up front. [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] sets them up after good passes from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='796736' first='Maggie' last='Dawson'], [player_tooltip player_id='594624' first='Kendale' last='Lair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797739' first='Piper' last='Steinmetz'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles (26-11) still have senior outside two-time region player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='212393' first='Milyn' last='Minor'] in uniform making them the favorite to repeat as region champions. Minor has a great supporting cast with [player_tooltip player_id='586599' first='Morgan' last='Justice'], [player_tooltip player_id='604595' first='Payton' last='Grigsby'], [player_tooltip player_id='734852' first='Jacinda' last='Campbell'], [player_tooltip player_id='586657' first='Reagan' last='Cummins'] taking good sets from [player_tooltip player_id='500587' first='Ryann' last='Grigsby']. [player_tooltip player_id='877753' first='Emory' last='Sullivan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='795190' first='KaLeigh' last='Grigsby'] lead the Eagles on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark (20-9) might give the Eagles the most trouble in the region. The Cardinals feature senior hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212395' first='Teigh' last='Yeast'] and a sound setter in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='850203' first='Anna' last='Cooper']. [player_tooltip player_id='776724' first='Brooke' last='Gough'], Hollins Pumphrey and [player_tooltip player_id='807306' first='Serenity' last='Elman'] have also taken good swings for the Cardinals. [player_tooltip player_id='795716' first='Kinlee' last='Keltner'] and Addison Palmer lead the GRC defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Scott</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington Catholic (28-4) came into the season as the overwhelming favorite, but Paul Laurence Dunbar beat the Knights in the 43rd District title game. The Knights have sound setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='212388' first='Payton' last='Avilez'], [player_tooltip player_id='212387' first='Ella' last='Blackburn'] and junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='535172' first='Miller' last='Duncan'] just returned from injury. [player_tooltip player_id='741875' first='Maddy' last='Warner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874997' first='Finley' last='Quinn'] lead the defense for the Knights. [player_tooltip player_id='768460' first='Madeline' last='Sisk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='778170' first='Bella' last='Tipton'] give the Knights depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunbar (20-17) has been playing good volleyball at the end of the season with [player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Mia' last='Pendley'], [player_tooltip player_id='276177' first='Sadie' last='Stuart'], [player_tooltip player_id='880009' first='Sloan' last='Atkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827257' first='Makenzie' last='Lowe'] leading offensively. Sophomore Ava Martha has stepped in at setter with [player_tooltip player_id='484320' first='Peyton' last='Beatty'], Mia Claire Barnes and [player_tooltip player_id='774734' first='Zya' last='Richardson'] giving the Bulldogs quality play on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The likes of Madison Central, Sayre, Great Crossing and Frederick Douglass can not be counted out. Every game in this region could be a battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Lexington Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colts have gone 9-0 in region play making them the favorite to win their ninth region crown in 10 years. Trinity Christian has taken a set from the Colts in both meetings and Boyle County took West Jessamine to five sets on Sept. 9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] is having an incredible season for the Colts with [player_tooltip player_id='779174' first='Tori' last='Daleng'], [player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'] giving the Colts balance. [player_tooltip player_id='755065' first='Taylor' last='Snowden'] is a threat in all five statistical categories with [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'], Riley Cissell, [player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix'] and Olivia Crum pacing the West Jessamine defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Christian is led by senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397725' first='Claire' last='Connor'] and Harper Hunt. [player_tooltip player_id='897249' first='Elizabeth' last='Battaile'], [player_tooltip player_id='612250' first='Amelia' last='Stanton'] and Brooke Bridgewater give the Titans nice all-around play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> West Jessamine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitley County (33-5) and Corbin (25-13) have dominated this region for years. Corbin won the three meetings during the regular season, including the 2A Sectional Tournament game. However, the Colonels came back to win the 50th District title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitley County is led by the dynamic 6-0 [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac']. She's received great help from [player_tooltip player_id='831031' first='Chandra' last='Price'], Jada Smith, Makenzie Mills and eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] has come on. [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] sets them up well with [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'], [player_tooltip player_id='793229' first='Courtney' last='Claxton'] and Jordan Smith leading the Colonels on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corbin has the dynamic freshman hitter [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] and eighth grade setter [player_tooltip player_id='890925' first='Harper' last='Newcomb']. [player_tooltip player_id='479307' first='Brook' last='Mills'], [player_tooltip player_id='890400' first='Annabelle' last='Griffin'] and the 6-3 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] with [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'] taking sound swings. [player_tooltip player_id='897255' first='Tatum' last='Strain'], Isabella Evans and [player_tooltip player_id='850687' first='Aden' last='Nipper'] lead the Redhounds defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Whitley County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knott County Central Patriots (34-2) have dominated the region losing just six sets in the 34 wins. They are 22-1 against region opponents after beating Perry County Central. [player_tooltip player_id='276172' first='Taylor' last='Baker'] leads the way with 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'] anchoring the net defense. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='792174' first='Avery' last='Conley'] have also been able to rely on Ava Waddell, [player_tooltip player_id='896832' first='Kynley' last='Baker'] and Rylee Craft to put balls down. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] and freshman Kaylee King have led the Knott County Central defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Letcher County Central, Wolfe County and Leslie County could challenge the Patriots. Leslie County led by [player_tooltip player_id='837880' first='Sarah' last='Osborne'], [player_tooltip player_id='771728' first='Royce' last='Osborne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='603770' first='Jaelyn' last='Johnson'], handed the Patriots their lone region loss on Aug. 19 to open the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Knott County Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelby Valley (30-5) had been the most dominant team in the region in search of the first region title in program history. The Kats did not lose a game to a region opponent until the last game of the regular season at home Oct. 14 against Paintsville, 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-16). Shelby Valley won the first two meetings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kats feature one of the state's most dynamic all-around players in [player_tooltip player_id='535230' first='Miley' last='Riddle'] to go with [player_tooltip player_id='741700' first='Sahnia' last='Linton']. [player_tooltip player_id='612248' first='Talynn' last='Johnson'] sets them up with [player_tooltip player_id='740604' first='Makaya' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='535231' first='Ryleigh' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800657' first='Aaron' last='Elkins'] leading the way on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paintsville (26-10) is unsurprisingly playing good volleyball at the right time entering the tournament on a 12-game winning streak with a 13th district championship in 14 years. [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] is one of the top hitters in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='816699' first='Mallory' last='May'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742476' first='Annabelle' last='Blankenship'] giving the Tigers balance. [player_tooltip player_id='882232' first='Ella' last='Wells'] and [player_tooltip player_id='890171' first='Addison' last='Helton'] give the Tigers quality sets with Kendall Short and McKinley Ramey leading Paintsville on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelby Valley will have to beat Johnson Central (19-14) on Monday at 6 p.m. in the quarterfinals to advance to Wednesday's semifinals. The Eagles feature [player_tooltip player_id='603814' first='Chloe' last='Reed'] and 6-2 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='762073' first='Macie' last='Clark']. Mia Estep, [player_tooltip player_id='814102' first='Jacee' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='837159' first='Reese' last='Day'] also take solid swings for Johnson Central with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='897260' first='Madi' last='Conn'] quarterbacking the offense. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='479280' first='Carrigan' last='Ratliff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='781733' first='Leah' last='Hall'] lead the Eagles on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Paintsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kittens (33-4) came into the season heavy favorites to repeat as champions with the return of 6-0 sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] and 5-11 senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='782415' first='Miley' last='Murphy'] surrounded by two dynamic outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='741516' first='Mena' last='Pittman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741511' first='Olivia' last='Wiley']. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='782955' first='Sydney' last='Mertz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman'] set up the hitters well with [player_tooltip player_id='782951' first='Anniston' last='Mertz'], [player_tooltip player_id='766336' first='Karley' last='Jade Sperry'], [player_tooltip player_id='893930' first='Melanie' last='Kelley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='794222' first='Greer' last='Layman'] leading the Ashland defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three possible challengers are Rowan County with [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'], [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'], Russell with [player_tooltip player_id='535185' first='Jaycee' last='Hall'] and Greenup County with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='484428' first='Lucy' last='Roy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='479278' first='Peyton' last='Powell']. Russell took the Kittens to five games on Oct. 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Ashland</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":["484450"],"_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-68fe5124930b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bowman (pictured) has really started to come into her own. Bowman gives the Pandas a lefthanded swing on the opposite side that opponents have to respect. Bowman runs effective tandems and is turning into a nice passer for the Pandas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212395"],"_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-68fe517663002"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yeast has great athleticism and contributes a number of ways for the Cardinals. She makes sound adjustments wherever balls are set to take good rips at balls. Yeast puts balls down a number of ways mixing in soft and hard hits. Yeast makes crisp first touches then quickly gets into defensive position. Yeast also makes things happen serving the ball for the Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897249"],"_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-68fe59ef1fc71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Battaile has emerged as one of the top hitters in the 12th Region. Battaile has a great approach to the net and a nice vertical jump. Battaile pounds balls down lines on one play then makes quality crosses on the next. Battaile can take things off hits to put them away from defenders. Battaile makes things happen on gap, ones and five shots. She takes quality out of system hits and is a quality server and passer for the Titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897255"],"_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-68fe68d3796d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Strain consistently moves her feet trying to beat balls to their spots on the floor. Strain squares her arms up to put walls behind balls and send two to three-point passes to the setters. Strain has shown she can handle hard-hit crosses from powerful hitters. Strain provides good net coverage and only lunges when necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[894234],"_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-68fe68d37976d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Conn has emerged as a sound setter for the Eagles. Conn has quickly learned the strengths of the Johnson Central hitters and tries to put balls in their power zones. Conn could use some work on her ball control, but will continue to improve with more experience.</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 nearly 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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