1st Region Season in Review: McCracken dominated again

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Writer's Note: The Exposure Tour is coming to Kentucky on November 30th and some of the state's top talent will be there. Use code GrahamPD25 to register</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not much changed in the 1st Region in terms of the top tier this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The McCracken County Mustangs (31-8 overall) won the region for the 13th year in a row since becoming a school in 2013. The Mustangs won all 11 games against region competition including all three region tournament games by 3-0 scores. They graduate five seniors in libero [player_tooltip player_id='533342' first='Penny' last='Kirkham'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='757541' first='Taylor' last='Dugan'], middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='813127' first='Emily' last='Hatfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='533343' first='Reagan' last='Hill'] and outside hitter Eli Streutker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Mustangs did not advance to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2021 losing at Bowling Green, 3-0 in the first round of state. McCracken County does return three solid hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'], [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Kambell' last='Dunning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg'] in addition to two solid defensive specialists in [player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hickman County makes history</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons (15-14) pulled off a big win, 3-2 (16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 17-25, 15-12) over Carlisle County to win the 1st District title for the first time in two years. However, they were not done after pulling off a 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 25-20, 26-24, 15-10) win over Community Christian (Paducah) in the region quarterfinals for the first region tournament win in program history. Senior Kylee Harper and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='905587' first='Kylie' last='Meshew'] led the way in that game with 10 kills each. Sophomore Bailey Childress had 14 assists and 24 digs. Meshew added 20 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Graves County drives back to region championship game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graves County (20-6) found itself back on top of the rugged 3rd District for the fourth year in a row after going 2-2 in district seed play. The Eagles then drove back to the region championship for the second time in three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='535247' first='MaryKate' last='Miller'] returns after slamming down 200 kills for the Eagles. Other key returning players for Graves County are junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='551813' first='Zoie' last='Joiner'], hitters [player_tooltip player_id='774411' first='Chloe' last='Wade'] and Emerson Elliott. Middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='397722' first='Ella' last='Morton'] along with defensvie specialists [player_tooltip player_id='397721' first='Ryleigh' last='Belknap'], Destiny McKenty and Caleigh Robertson will graduate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ballard Memorial makes it back to region tournament</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bombers (24-9) won the 1st Region All "A" championship and went 2-2 in the state tournament. They qualified for the championship flight going 2-1 in pool play then lost to Trinity Christian in the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the regular season, Ballard Memorial went 3-1 in district seed play to take the top spot in the 3rd District Tournament and make it to the 1st Region Tournament for the first time since 2021. The good news for the Bombers is they only graduate one senior in outside hitter Hala Ouderkirk. Key returning players are freshman [player_tooltip player_id='905594' first='Gracie' last='Glisson'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='535251' first='Aubrey' last='Alexander'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshall County reaches 20 wins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marshals (20-6) have shown gradual improvement under former University of Missouri players Paige Fletcher. They made it to 20 wins for the first time since 2021 and have won six consecutive 4th District championships. Marshall County lost in the region semifinals for the second straight year. They graduate five seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='533367' first='Maleah' last='Terry'], Catherine Shelton, Olivia Hawkins, Hadley Barrett and Reagan Carmichael. However, [player_tooltip player_id='755896' first='Laney' last='Yates'], [player_tooltip player_id='484426' first='Emma-Leigh' last='Reynolds'], [player_tooltip player_id='905602' first='Bella' last='Redden'], Elin Denflip and [player_tooltip player_id='850644' first='Brooke' last='Von Bokel'] return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["757579"],"_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-69180db14290a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dunning (pictured) turned into a solid weapon for the Mustangs this year. She makes solid mid-air adjustments to put balls away from sound defensive specialists. Dunning also takes huge out of system swings for the Mustangs. Her offensive prowess helped lead McCracken County to another region championship. Dunning finished second on the team with 241 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905587"],"_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-691810f560f79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meshew had a breakout season for the Falcons with her versatility. Meshew has a good approach to balls form the middle and the pins and nicely places them away from defenders. Meshew made a lot of things happen with first touches as well. Meshew had 197 kills, 219 digs and 43 aces helping the Falcons win the 1st District crown and win the first region tournament game in program history this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774411"],"_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-691812743f638"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wade turned into a solid hitter and blocker for the Eagles this fall. Wade has a great approach then puts great power into balls. Wade makes a lot of things happen on ones and go routes. She does a good job angling balls off blockers for big points. Wade teams up with teammates well for sound double blocks and has a tough jump serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905594"],"_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-6918146ca3780"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Glisson turned in a solid season for the Bombers, helping them make the 1st Region Tournament for the first time since 2021. Glisson uses her size well to control the net for Ballard Memorial. Glisson has a quick arm swing and uses it to power balls past blockers and defensive specialists to the floor. Glisson is a force on ones. Glisson forms sound double blocks, forcing balls high and wide then makes a quick transition to offense. Glisson is also a sound server. Glisson had 208 kills, 37 solo blocks, 79 digs and 79 aces, helping Ballard Memorial go 24-9 this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905602"],"_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-69181a8fd9d9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redden helped the Marshals take more steps forward with her versatility. She makes sound passes then makes things happen offensively with her ball placement. Redden throws off defenders with her cross shots. Redden makes crisp passes to start up the offense and keeps opponent out of system with her solid serves. Redden had 138 kills, 206 digs and 53 aces helping Marshall County go 20-6, win a sixth straight 4th District crown and drive back to the 1st Region semifinals.</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. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->