Third Region Season in Review: Apollo won first crown since 2016

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winner of this region has generally come from the 9th District and this year proved to be no exception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Apollo E-Gals won the district then beat Meade County in the region championship for the program's first crown since 2016. Apollo then beat Henderson County at home to advance to state quarterfinals for the first time since the same season before losing to North Oldham in the region quarterfinals and finish 31-11 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started in the back with dynamic libero [player_tooltip player_id='612255' first='Jessie' last='Pate'] and sophomore defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='534774' first='Lyla' last='Fortener']. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='845619' first='Jessica' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912220' first='Maddi' last='Roberts'] set things up for two solid all-around hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='484301' first='Avery' last='Gray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888227' first='Keelan' last='Wettstain']. Ali Lawson and Sophia Mason gave the E-Gals sound blocking at the net. All will be back as Apollo graduates four seniors in Adelyn Dilback, Abigail Coomes, Lee and Hannah Coomes. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='827770' first='Savannah' last='Denson'] also returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensboro Catholic (21-16) also advanced to the region out of the 9th District and lost in the semifinals to Meade County. The Aces won the All "A" 3rd Region crown and advanced to the All "A" State semifinals. The Aces graduate six seniors including libero [player_tooltip player_id='474729' first='Molly' last='Arnold'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='852164' first='Mayme' last='Powell'] and two incredible hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='891166' first='Ava' last='Martin'] and Addie Oiler. The key returning players are Emma Castlen, [player_tooltip player_id='909517' first='Emmy' last='Roberts'], [player_tooltip player_id='749723' first='Payton' last='Arnold'], [player_tooltip player_id='611889' first='Ryleigh' last='Owen'] and Bella Brey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breckinridge County (28-8) won a second straight 11th District championship under first-year head coach Paige Burch. The Tigers advanced to the region semifinals taking Apollo to five sets before losing. The Tigers lost senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='752908' first='Avery' last='Hinton'] to an injury early in the season. However, junior Jayden Keesee, sophomor [player_tooltip player_id='912234' first='Emma' last='Leaverton'] and junior Lindsey Flood. Seniors Lanee Roach and [player_tooltip player_id='505402' first='Claire' last='Tate'] split the setting duties, also serving as hitters. The Tigers graduate their top five kills leaders. After Roach and Tate, the other three were [player_tooltip player_id='752909' first='Grace' last='Ball'], Chandler Moreland and Brooklyn Critchelow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meade County (17-16) drove to the region championship behind a balanced attack led by the dynamic junior [player_tooltip player_id='603276' first='Allie' last='Glover'], [player_tooltip player_id='832914' first='Izzy' last='Woosley'] and Emily Jewell. Setter Ava Frank returns next year along with [player_tooltip player_id='759348' first='Zoey' last='Gonzales']. [player_tooltip player_id='831614' first='Ella' last='Clanton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='618708' first='Makayla' last='Pike'] also graduate for the Wave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grayson County (24-7) put together a sound season winning back to the 12th District championship led by six seniors. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='789026' first='Emma' last='Roney'] led the way in the back row with junior Alexis Ashby and senior Callie Tunnicliff splitting the setting duties. Seniors Taylor Gaskin, [player_tooltip player_id='854684' first='Layla' last='Escue'], Gracie Escue and junior [player_tooltip player_id='503276' first='Khloe' last='Gaither'] recorded triple figures in kills with the Escue twins also putting up a number of blocks.</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":["912220"],"_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-692a8a767e302"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roberts does an outstanding job putting balls at the peaks of her hitters' swings and setting the right hitters. Roberts moves her feet and makes the most of her sets even if she has to set from the back row. Roberts executes pipe plays well Roberts delivers a lot of dimes on first touches and serves to different parts of the court to keep defenders guessing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611889"],"_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-692a8a767e358"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen (pictured) helped the Aces form a solid defense. She consistently hustles after balls under control to make sound two to three-point passes and has a tough jump serve. Owen showed she can handle hard and softly hit balls throughout the season. Owen displayed contagious energy on the court. Owen had 155 digs on the season, helping Owensboro Catholic go 21-16 on the season, win the All "A" 3rd Region crown and drive to the All "A" State Semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912234"],"_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-692a8d89698f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leaverton gave the Tigers consistency on defense. Leaverton does both the bump and the overhead passes well to get Breckinridge County into a sound offensive rhythm. Leaverton has a good sinking line drive serve that she sends to different zones on the court. Leaverton had 224 digs and 45 aces this past season, helping the Tigers go 28-8, win a second straight 11th Region crown and advance to the region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603276"],"_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-692a9056566ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Glover had a solid all-around season for the Wave. She pounds balls hard from both the front and back rows. Glover is especially tough with crosses on go routes. She can also execute ones at a high level. Glover produces a lot of dimes on first touches and is a sound server and blocker. Glover had 361 kills, 318 digs and 54 aces helping Meade County drive to the region championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["789026"],"_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-692a93e6ed402"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roney emerged to give the Cougars sound versatility at both the outside hitter and defensive specialist spots. Roney mixes in hard hits and soft tips to the middle. Roney has a tough cross hit on go routes. Roney has a great approach to the net and can angle balls off blockers and out of bounds. She has great enthusiasm on the court. Roney has great reflexes on defense. Hard hit balls carom off her arms like ping pong balls under control. Roney had 378 digs, 94 kills and 75 aces to lead Grayson County to a 24-7 record and a 12th District crown.</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. Prep Dig is running a&nbsp;<strong>50% off subscription sale</strong>&nbsp;starting Monday, Nov. 23 and running through&nbsp;<strong>Cyber Monday</strong>. It is a great time to get in on the action as the initial Class of 2028 rankings will be released on Cyber Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->