Five 2029s That Can’t be Overlooked

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five freshmen made some nice impacts on their varsity teams in the fall. Some are playing basketball now while others are gearing up for club season. One thing that's certain is they'll sneak up on you if you are overlooking them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896081"],"_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-694e1f92d72df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Everett has nice size and used it to slow down balls in the front row if not outright block them. She puts soft touches down quickly. Everett forms walls in the front row doubling up with teammates. Her quick arm swings are beneficial in the middle and outsides for the Cougars. Everett had 56 kills, 50 assisted blocks and seven solo blocks in the fall, helping Conner go 26-10, win the Cake Classic and go back to the 9th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919009"],"_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-694e1f92d7396"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bales gave the Hawks sound play defensively in the fall. She anticipates balls well and uses her athleticism to keep plays alive. Bales goes down to her knees on hard hit balls and lunges forward using one arm if needed on tips to keep plays alive. Bales has the chance to turn into a solid defender with work on her ball control. Bales had 119 digs for LaRue County in the fall, helping the Hawks make it back to the 5th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923183"],"_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-694e1f92d740e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dabney gives the Yellow Jackets balance on the outside. She has a great offensive stance and approach to the net. Dabney then puts great power into balls, especially on crosses to the two zone corners. Dabney takes sound rips out of system makes nice solo blocks. A sound spring season on Alpha's A.51 team will only help improve her game. Dabney had 159 kills, 25 solo blocks and 54 digs in the fall, helping Woodford County go 22-13 and make it back to the 8th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923336"],"_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-694e1f92d7483"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Cougars may have struggled as the result of youth in key spots with only two seniors on the roster. However, Shelton turned into a bright spot. Shelton takes solid swings in the middle and is a sound passer. She learns from her mistakes. Shelton had a team-high 191 kills, 31 solo blocks, 406 digs and 48 aces for McLean County in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923391"],"_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-694e1f92d7504"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Cardinals had some injuries this fall, but it allowed Gossage to step forward and make some big contributions. Gossage has a good wrist snap. She can smack balls to the corner in the four zone on go routes or tap them to the middle. Gossage is not afraid to pound balls off blocks for big points if needed. Gossage is also a sound passer. Gossage had 186 kills and 112 digs in the fall, helping Wayne County make it back to the 12th Region Tournament for the first time since 2021.</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 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 -->