2nd Region Season in Review: Henderson moved back to top

<!-- 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>The Henderson County Colonels expected to drive back to the top of the region with clear guidance from second-year head coach Kelli Harris and did so claiming the 6th District and region championships finishing 28-10 overall. The Colonels own a region-best 10 region titles since the state split the number of regions from eight to 16 in 2003. Henderson County lost 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20) at Apollo in the first round of state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County graduates seven players, but does return kills leader [player_tooltip player_id='603212' first='Evangeline' last='Loffland'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='888158' first='Emmy' last='Sword']. [player_tooltip player_id='776415' first='Addison' last='Kirtley'] returns at setter and Lilly Payne hopes to pick things up offensively after leading the team in solo blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels received tough challenges from the 8th District starting with the champion Christian County Colonels (22-17) in the semifinals, but Henderson County escaped with a 3-2 (24-26, 25-18, 19-25, 25-13, 15-13) win. Christian County won the district led by four talented seniors. Christian County returns freshman [player_tooltip player_id='908504' first='Kiley' last='Lambert'], [player_tooltip player_id='603865' first='Peyton' last='Owens'] and Autumn Cook. Christian County and Hopkinsville merge this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's region champion Heritage (Hopkinsville) won the All "A" 2nd Region crown and made it back to the region championship under first-year head coach Ashton Craft. The Warriors had a young team with just one senior. The key returning players are setter [player_tooltip player_id='535284' first='Makenzie' last='McCarty'], Hadlee Hayes, Bralee Fowler, Taylor Barbee and Allison Craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caldwell County (17-11) won another district crown behind five seniors. The Tigers have one of the most promising freshmen in the region in Alaiyaa Shearer. Medeline Thomas also returns after finishing second on the team in kills. Ka Myiah "Tink" Clark and Madison Cooper return to lead Caldwell County on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittenden County (8-15) claimed another 5th District crown despite struggling some this year. Braelyn Merrill returns offensively along with promising freshman Grayson Travis. Maddie Hearell looks to take over at setter with [player_tooltip player_id='790057' first='Lola' last='Elaine Cratty'] and Emerye Pollard returning on defense.</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":["888158"],"_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-691fdc27e7936"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sword (pictured) gave the Colonels the balance they desired this year as an outside threat. She is tough on crosses and mixes in soft touches to keep defenses guessing. Sword makes sound first touches and gives opponents problems with her sound jump serve. Sword had 256 kills, 571 digs and 125 aces for the Colonels this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908504"],"_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-691fec218500d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lambert had a lot of success attacking the seams on go routes for the Colonels. Lambert sets her feet well then takes great approaches at the net then uses momentum to hit balls away from blockers. Lambert takes sound swings when Christian County is out of system. Lambert could improve her blocking, but has a bright future for Christian County. Lambert had 165 kills and 85 digs for the Colonels this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535284"],"_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-691fec218509f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCarty does a good job making sound first touches then taking swings quickly. Her all-around play made her a great leader for the Warriors this fall. She makes nice sets to her teammates. McCarty had 646 assists, 253 digs and 56 aces for the Warriors this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908533"],"_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-691fec218510f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark is a hustler for the Tigers, making a lot of the simple bump and overhead passes. Clark extends her arms and goes down to her knees to make first touches if necessary, but does it under control for the most part. Clark does a great job keeping defensive specialists guessing with her spinning serves. Clark had 203 digs and a team-high 61 aces for Caldwell County this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790057"],"_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-691fed1395000"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cratty showed a lot of promise for the Rockets this year, helping them to another district crown. Cratty makes a lot of simple passes trying to get the Rockets into a sound offensive rhythm. Cratty had 124 for Crittenden County this past season.</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 -->