Lexington United 15, 55 Elite Team Profiles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] came about in 2010 and has since turned into a large club. A number of good athletes have come through and these two teams aim to produce more of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest name on this list is Franklin County freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='875027' first='Addie' last='Couch'] after a monster season. Lafayette defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='882359' first='Xiomara' last='Ramos'] and Lexington Catholic defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='851603' first='Anna' last='Wethington'] also saw extensive time on the varsity level in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark freshman Ashtyn Walters is also listed at defensive specialist with Dunbar freshman Olivia Belcher playing outside and defensive specialist. Dunbar freshman Macy Weigle is listed as setter. Weigle could set up Dunbar teammate Ellis Stuart along with three middles in Lexington Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='850834' first='Hadley' last='Ritchie'], Catherine Tweardy or Lafayette's Haylee Henderson. Another is Lafayette outside Emma Jean Johnson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macy Reihing is the team's head coach. The team plays in the 15 Premier Division in the MLK Extravaganza on Jan. 17 and 18 at Spooky Nook in Hamilton, Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>55</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team also features three players that saw extensive varsity time in the fall. Rowan County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='874785' first='Eva' last='Brinker'] made an impact in the middle and outside and [player_tooltip player_id='913418' first='Ava' last='Hundley'] did the same for Lexington Christian at middle blocker. Bryan Station sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='794979' first='Jojo' last='Covington'] also made an impact at defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sayre freshman Harper Rice, Lafayette freshman Caroline Duane and Rowan County freshman Adaleigh Fay are slated to make an impact at defensive specialist. Lexington Christian freshman Ryleigh Sizemore, Madison Central freshman Anna Anderson and Lexington Catholic freshmen Halley Gilvin and Clara Meagher. Madison Central's Zoey Johnson rounds out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christin O'Nan is the team's head coach. The team plays in the 15 Premier Division in the MLK Extravaganza on Jan. 17 and 18 at Spooky Nook in Hamilton, Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875027"],"_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-695482cd0917f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Couch hopes to have a stellar club season and continue some solid momentum from her freshman season for Franklin County. Couch uses a good core to send flames to the back row. She uses a great vertical jump to smack balls passed blockers in a number of ways. Couch had 417 kills in the fall, helping Franklin County go 22-16 and go back to the 11th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["850834"],"_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-695482cd091ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ritchie's time will come with her dedication. She also has some great mentors at Lexington Catholic. Ritchie sets up a number of hitters and is working on different sets with teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["882359"],"_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-695482cd09237"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramos adjusted well to varsity with the fast-tempo speed she saw for LUV 14 last year. She makes the routine touches consistently, staying under control and only diving when necessary. Ramos is a sound server and is really enthusiastic on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["874785"],"_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-69547e5d64298"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brinker is a difference-maker in the front row for the Valkyries. Brinker has sound mechanics and a quick arm swing combined with sound court vision to send balls screaming to the floor. Brinker has good timing on her blocks, at least getting hands on balls to slow them down for the defensive specialists. Brinker also covers at the net well. Brinker had 114 kills in the fall, helping Rowan County go 27-7, win a second straight 61st District crown and drive to the 16th Region title game for the first time since 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["794979"],"_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-695482cd092a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Covington (pictured) is one of several sound, experienced defensive specialists for the Defenders. Covington moves her feet well then plants them at the right times to set up for the passes. She has a good platform to produce sound two to three-point passes. Covington has a solid jump serve. Covington had 148 digs for Bryan Station in the 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. 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