6th Region Recap: Mercy claims yet another crown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some things have changed about this region. This region saw every team go to the region tournament making up a super regional tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet even with that changed format, the Mercy Jaguars still won it. Mercy has been to the state tournament 45 times out of the 46 seasons it has taken place. The one year Mercy did not go to state also happened to be the one year none of the Dominant Five won it in 1980 when Villa Madonna won it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy (28-11 overall) saw senior [player_tooltip player_id='797942' first='Reese' last='Houston'] emerge at libero with senior [player_tooltip player_id='479299' first='Addison' last='Davis'] along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] and [player_tooltip player_id='556153' first='Olivia' last='Duncan'] setting up the powerful hitters. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden'] had a monster season in the middle with junior [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'] along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] giving the Jaguars balance. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] added to the Mercy defensive efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross (27-11) put together another solid season. The Cougars finished region and All "A" State runner-up. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='898305' first='Ellery' last='Warnock'] and hitter [player_tooltip player_id='846523' first='Braelynn' last='Logsdon'] graduate. However, setter [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] returns along with three powerful hitters in twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='784803' first='Kylie' last='Harrington'] return on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt (18-11) drove to the region semifinals and gave Holy Cross a battle in a 3-2 (25-11, 21-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-9) defeat. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='397720' first='Maci' last='Milliner'] had a nice season at setter and senior [player_tooltip player_id='796563' first='Maddie' last='Picheo'] did some setting so Milliner could take some swings. Hitters [player_tooltip player_id='508062' first='Kara' last='Gividen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='594636' first='Shaelyn' last='Woodson'] graduate, but kills leader [player_tooltip player_id='612200' first='Kass' last='Bodytko'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484284' first='Laila' last='Brooks'] return along with [player_tooltip player_id='713896' first='Emma' last='Wetzstein']. [player_tooltip player_id='758484' first='Bracie' last='Roeder'] graduates on defense, but [player_tooltip player_id='793320' first='Deedee' last='Hernandez'] returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East (21-12) enjoyed another nice season. Senior Brooke Morris set up three nice hitters in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612015' first='Julianna' last='Edwards'] along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='827204' first='Madilyn' last='Hider'] and Grace Varney. Sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='612013' first='Sophie' last='Gorter'] comes back on defense along with freshman Maddie Sturgeon, junior Aubrey Brown and sophomore Camryn Kidwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danielle Merrick took over Whitefield Academy and led the Wildcats to a 16-14 record with dynamic 6-3 hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479306' first='Taylor' last='Wathen'] going out in style with 298 kills. Senior Isabella Nord set her up with senior Ava Embry and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='919042' first='Rhyan' last='Johnson'] giving Whitefield balance. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='594606' first='Sophia' last='Nord'] led on defense with senior Katie Wigger and junior Anna Colyer aiding the cause.</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":["484254"],"_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-693e3c73bb190"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riegling (pictured) does a great job mixing up speeds on her spikes and hits to different locations on the court on the go routes. Riegling can even pull up and softer shots to opposite corners. Riegling has a great vertical jump and can land quality shots from the back row when needed. Her roll shots are just as tough to defend. Riegling makes quality first touches and has a tough line drive serve. Riegling had 257 kills, 28 assisted blocks, 278 digs and 47 aces for Mercy this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["784803"],"_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-693e3c73bb23c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrington has a motor on the court. She anticipates balls well and uses her reflexes to keep plays alive. She can handle short, sharp hits and softly hit balls. Harrington has developed a tough jump serve she can put anywhere on the court. Harrington had 214 digs and 99 aces for Holy Cross this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612200"],"_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-693e3c73bb2a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bodytko turned into huge force at the net for the Eagles. Bodytko has a great wrist snap to send balls screaming to the floor. She places ones to different parts of the court and off blockers for big points. She also has good timing on her blocks and powers down overpassed balls. Bodytko had 195 kills, 26 solo blocks and 41 assisted blocks for the Eagles this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827204"],"_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-693e3f075c85e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hider has great court awareness. Hider will take nice swings, but does not hit into blocks. If she sees various openings, she lets up and shoves balls to openings on ones. Hider uses her size to form solid double blocks. Hider had 202 kills, 11 solo blocks and 20 assisted blocks for the Chargers this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919042"],"_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-693e41bc2426e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson found different ways to put balls down against taller middle blockers. Johnson tried to take sound swings, but also hit balls to different parts of the court keeping defenders guessing. Johnson does not hesitate to tip balls if openings pop up behind blockers. Johnson had 131 kills for the Wildcats this past fall.</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 -->