Five surprise region tournament qualifiers

<!-- 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 6th Region experimented with a super region this year so no district tournaments took place in that one this year. Every team went straight to the region tournament. Indications are more regions could follow. One big argument for super regions is good teams are not left out as the result of losing in district semifinals. These five teams made surprising visits to the respective region tournaments this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Calvary Christian Cougars (24-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars had sound teams for years, but could not advance out of the rugged 37th District Tournament. That changed this year as the third-seeded Cougars stunned the second-seeded Bishop Brossart Mustangs, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-13) to make it to the region tournament for the first time in program history, then beat 38th District champion Nicholas County, 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-16) in the region quarterfinals for the first region tournament win in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='896714' first='Madison' last='Stelzer'] led the Cougars on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='533373' first='Anna' last='Hickey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='779514' first='Megan' last='Arthur'] leading the way offensively. Setters Natalia McGlynn and Annabel Leach return along with freshman defensive specialist Ava Dahler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webster County Trojans (22-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans had not been to the region tournament in three seasons, but made it back this year with a 14-win improvement and drove to the region semifinals behind a huge season from Chloe Soukup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webster County also saw good offensive production from Jayleigh Hill. Setters Ella Rakestraw and [player_tooltip player_id='603848' first='Kamryn' last='Edens'] put them in good position to succeed. Arely Martinez and Raynel Roy gave the Trojans good play defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Danville Admirals (10-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Admirals put things together in the 45th District tournament taking out second seeded Danville Christian in the semifinals to make it back to the region tournament for the first time since 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='776217' first='Anye' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='810183' first='Abree' last='Ganns'] led the Admirals offensively with good sets from [player_tooltip player_id='786982' first='Macee' last='Vest']. [player_tooltip player_id='791013' first='Addilee' last='Funkhouser'], [player_tooltip player_id='834283' first='Kinlee' last='Ruckel'] and Petra Hawkins led Danville defensively. Ganns is the lone senior of that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monroe County (18-11) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons had to go through top-seeded Russell County to make it back to the 4th Region Tournament. However, they were not done after that beating Clinton County in the district championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533361' first='Ansley' last='Turner'] had an outstanding season for the Falcons. Hitters Cloey Hawkins, [player_tooltip player_id='838890' first='Tahlia' last='Sheffield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='843755' first='Mattie' last='Woods'] return along with setter [player_tooltip player_id='603826' first='Sarah' last='Thompson']. [player_tooltip player_id='802553' first='Layni' last='England'], [player_tooltip player_id='802096' first='Jaylee' last='Bartley'], Alizzia Bennett and [player_tooltip player_id='796729' first='Maelee' last='Ford'] led Monroe County defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Perry County Central Commodores (9-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Commodores lost twice to in-town rival Hazard during the regular season, but beat the Bulldogs in the region semifinals, 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-17) at home. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='834530' first='Laney' last='Davis'] emerged as the team's kills leader with freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='782433' first='Annie' last='Asher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='789192' first='Sophia' last='Asher'] also taking nice swings. [player_tooltip player_id='835150' first='Lylah' last='Sullivan'] and Kinley McGraner set up the hitters with [player_tooltip player_id='793039' first='Chloe' last='Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='840158' first='Brinley' last='Nicely'] anchoring the defense in Emily Neace's first season as head coach.</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":["896714"],"_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-691ff6c85ebe5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stelzer's experience paid off in the historic season for the Cougars. Stelzer (pictured) makes great first touches and sound serves. She uses a good platform to get Calvary Christian into a sound rhythm. She'll only grow during club season. Stelzer had 560 digs and 64 aces for Calvary Christian this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603848"],"_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-691ff952b9697"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edens played a huge role in the turnaround for the Trojans. She involves a number of teammates on her sets and mixes things up well. Edens makes crisp first touches and puts up good sets when the team is out of system. Edens also makes things happen serving the ball. Edens had 376 assists, 258 digs and 44 aces for Webster County this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["791013"],"_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-691ffd223f3dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Funkhouser gives the Admirals a nice presence defensively. Funkhouser moves her feet well then makes the simple first touches. Funkhouser communicates well on the court and is coachable. Funkhouser finished second on the team with 238 digs this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["802096"],"_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-691fff6c75ab0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bartley has quick reflexes allowing her to keep plays alive for the Falcons with both overhand and bump passes. Bartley can handle cross shots and ones. Bartley guards the lines well and scores key points serving the ball. Bartley's control could use some work. She'll take big steps forward for the Falcons is that improves during the offseason.</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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