Five runner-ups who could win region next season

Falling one game short of the state tournament is generally motivation for teams to figure out what they need to improve upon in the offseason to take that final step. These five runner-up squads return quite a bit from last year and with certain improvements, could take the next step.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/16234176 </div></figure>   Rowan County   The Valkyries return two powerful hitters in the multi-talented [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] along with dynamic setter [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] in addition to another sound defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May']. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='874785' first='Eva' last='Brinker'] turned into a nice option in the middle for Rowan County. Depth behind those six could go a long way for Rowan County next season. Rowan County graduates four seniors including two hitters in Brooklyn Tenyer and Ella Brinker in addition to defensive specialist Dakota Ginter.   Ashland hurt Rowan County with size in all three meetings this year including the region championship game. In the region championship game, the 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='782415' first='Miley' last='Murphy'] had 14 kills and two solo blocks with 6-0 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] tallying 10 kills, three solo blocks and two assisted blocks.   Developing some consistency in the middle and more improvements blocking could be the key for the Valkyries. They had 130 total blocks in 32 games this year after recording 96 total in 2024.   Paintsville   The Tigers fell just short of repeating as 15th Region champions against a determined Shelby Valley team. The good news is the Tigers graduate just two players including setter [player_tooltip player_id='882232' first='Ella' last='Wells']. The top three hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'], [player_tooltip player_id='816699' first='Mallory' last='May'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742476' first='Annabelle' last='Blankenship'] return along with freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='890171' first='Addison' last='Helton'] and freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='898049' first='Kendall' last='Short']. Freshmen McKinley Ramey and Bentley Smith also helped give the Tigers a sound defense. [player_tooltip player_id='785507' first='Kate' last='Lauffer'] also showed some potential this year.   Corbin   The Redhounds fell just plays short of winning their first region crown since 2021. However, everyone returns for Corbin minus two seniors in middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='479307' first='Brook' last='Mills'] and defensive specialist Aiden Nipper. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='890925' first='Harper' last='Newcomb'] will be a freshman after recording 1,148 assists last year as an eighth grader. The dynamic [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] and [player_tooltip player_id='890400' first='Annabelle' last='Griffin'] both return along with 6-3 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb']. [player_tooltip player_id='897255' first='Tatum' last='Strain'] and Isabella Evans return on defense for Corbin.   Paul Laurence Dunbar   The Bulldogs may have been young, but found ways to win a fifth straight 43rd District crown before losing to Lexington Catholic in the region championship game. They graduate six seniors including middle blocker [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']. Mia Claire Barnes provided good defense for Dunbar.   They'll need some hitters to step forward behind [player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Mia' last='Pendley'], but they do return setter Ava Martha and libero [player_tooltip player_id='484320' first='Peyton' last='Beatty']. [player_tooltip player_id='774734' first='Zya' last='Richardson'] also provided nice defense for the Bulldogs.   St. Henry   The Crusaders overcame some late-season adversity to return to the 9th Region championship game for the third straight year. They took rival Notre Dame to five games before losing.   Five seniors graduate including the sound all-around Madi Demler, Emily Helmers and Caroline Tabeling, but the three solid sophomores in Madelyn Keipert, Kenadi Sieg and Violet Main return along with Molly Blackburn. Stella Flick or others will need to step forward, but that never seems to be an issue for the Crusaders.    Brinker (pictured) does a good job placing balls on short sets, including ones and back sets. Brinker hits balls off blocker or to different parts of the court on both sets. Brinker also provides a lot with blocking for Rowan County. A quicker arm swing could help Brinker go to the next level.     Kinner concluded another season for the ages for the Tigers. Also a sound basketball player, Kinner took more steps as a hitter this fall hitting from the back row. She landed many of them when Paintsville needed a big kill. Kinner is working on adding even more to those back row hits. Kinner controlled the net with her blocking and made nice first contacts, especially in the back row patrolling it with authority. Her low line drive serves also played a big role in taking Paintsville back to the region championship game.     Newcomb's leadership has been huge for the Redhounds in recent years. She has tough cut shots and continues to find different ways to put balls down. She teams up with other blockers in the front row to help form a good double block. Newcomb had 114 kills and 36 solo blocks for Corbin this season.     Richardson stepped into a sound role as a defensive specialist for the Bulldogs this year. She has a good platform with her passes and improved her ball control. Richardson also made use of her line drive serve leading the Bulldogs with 57 aces to go with 183 digs on the season.     Blackburn brought forth some nice play both offensively and defensively for the Crusaders this fall. Blackburn makes sound passes then quickly transitions to offense. Blackburn had 112 kills and 173 digs on the season.    Note from the Writer   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.

Falling one game short of the state tournament is generally motivation for teams to figure out what they need to improve upon in the offseason to take that final step. These five runner-up squads return quite a bit from last year and with certain improvements, could take the next step.