Lexington United 17, 77 Elite Previews

The [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] teams generally put out a lot of competitive teams. Some core members of last spring's 16 and 66 Elite teams return, but there has been some shuffling.   17   This team is carrying nine spots on it. Six of them played together on the top LUV team at the 16U level.   The two big additions from other clubs are Lafayette junior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='484422' first='Audrey' last='Gossett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523334' first='Lexi' last='Hensley']. Gossett smacked down over 300 kills in the fall and Hensley hit over 200. The other addition is Scott County junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='800876' first='Allison' last='May'] moving up after playing for the 66 Elite squad last year.   Lexington Catholic junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603863' first='Charlotte' last='Hall'] will have plenty of options to set to this spring including her 6-1 junior LexCath teammate [player_tooltip player_id='535172' first='Miller' last='Duncan'] in the middle. Three other options will be Madison Central outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535190' first='Bella' last='Morrett'], Dunbar outside [player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Mia' last='Pendley'] and West Jessamine junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher']. Dunbar junior [player_tooltip player_id='484320' first='Peyton' last='Beatty'] is also back at defensive specialist.   Darby Bourdon is the team's head coach. The team plays in the Martin Luther King Extravaganza at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Hamilton, Ohio on Jan. 17 and 18. The team plays in the 17 Premier Division.   77   Five players come back to play at the same level. Great Crossing junior [player_tooltip player_id='511012' first='Alexis' last='Ingle'] is the returning libero with Madison Central junior [player_tooltip player_id='603592' first='Josee' last='Campbell'] returning to set to Rowan County versatile junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains']. The other two returning outside hitters are Great Crossing junior [player_tooltip player_id='850975' first='Devynne' last='Smith'] and Madison Central junior [player_tooltip player_id='776212' first='Teegan' last='Sulfridge'].   Mercer County junior [player_tooltip player_id='535245' first='Anne' last='Whitenack'] comes over from another club to give the team size in the middle. West Jessamine juniors [player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'] on the outside and [player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix'] at defensive specialist have previously played for LUV teams.   Three players moved up from the LUV 16 National team from last year. They are Tates Creek defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='778616' first='Hayden' last='Wolff']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='779988' first='Anna' last='Quinn'] will set and Frederick Douglass junior [player_tooltip player_id='779983' first='Lyla' last='McMillen'] will take swings from the outside.   Samuel Sterlitz is the team's head coach. The team also plays in the Martin Luther King Extravaganza at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Hamilton, Ohio on Jan. 17 and 18. The team plays in the 17 Premier Division.   Players to Watch    May should adjust to her new club teammates well. She's consistent in the back row. She has great technique in delivering solid two to three-point passes to her teammates. She sets up hitters with sound passes when the team is out of system. May only dives when needed, yet stays under control. May had 232 digs for Scott County in the fall.     It is hard not to notice Crutcher in the front row. She is a dominat force to be reckoned with. Crutcher (pictured) gives herself great space at the net and lets balls rip. She mixes in soft taps to the 10-foot line to throw off defenders. Crutcher has solid timing on her blocks and her athleticism helps her win jousts. Crutcher is also a sound passer and server. Crutcher had 527 kills, 46 blocks, 87 digs and 35 aces in the fall, helping West Jessamine go 28-12, win another 46th District crown and the 12th Region for the ninth time in 10 years to make it back to the state tournament.     Hensley delivered consistently on the outside for the Generals. She has solid ball control and court awareness. Hensley makes things happen even when the set is not on target. She uses her size well to put up solid blocks and supports teammates well both on and off the court.     Mains makes precise first touches then does a great job quickly moving into her offensive position to take ferocious swings. It helps that she has two dynamic setters in [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] at Rowan County and [player_tooltip player_id='603592' first='Josee' last='Campbell'] at [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United']. They hit Mains at her peak consistently. Mains rips balls into creases so hard even sound defenders have to move their feet just to get to many of her thunderous follow-throughs. Mains had 457 kills, 413 digs and 35 aces in the fall, leading Rowan County to a 27-7 record, another 61st District title and a spot in the 16th Region title game for the first time since 2020.     Whitenack (pictured) will look to control the middle similar to what she's done for other teams with her size. She makes things happen on a number of sets. Whitenack times up her blocks well at least slowing down balls for her teammates. She smacks balls to different parts of the court, especially at the peak of her swings. Whitenack had 117 kills, 68 solo blocks and 22 assisted blocks, helping Mercer County go 13-9 this past fall.    Note from the Writer   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.

The Lexington United teams generally put out a lot of competitive teams. Some core members of last spring's 16 and 66 Elite teams return, but there has been some shuffling.