Mideast Power League Pioneer League Round One Notables

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening weekend saw KIVA, Tri-State Elite and Alpha Performance Volleyball teams head to either Louisville or Indiana for the first round of the Mideast Power League. Some Kentucky players on the K2 squad also took the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big story is the three Tri-State Elite Blue teams won all five games in the 17, 16 and 15 groups. The KIVA 16 Red team also finished 5-0 winning the Round Two, Group C bracket. In the 17s group, the Tri-State Elite 17 Blue team knocked off the KIVA 17 Red team, 2-0 (25-18, 25-15) in the Round Two, Group A championship. The 17 Red team finished 4-1 over the two days. The KIVA 15 Red team also finished 4-1 and runner-up in Round Two, Group D.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tri-State Elite 17 White team finished 3-2 for fourth in Round Two, Group B. Also in the 17s, the KIVA 17 White team won Round 2, Group E finishing 3-2 in the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 16s Division, the KIVA 16 White finished 4-1 good for third in Round Two, Group D and the KIVA 16 Black team finished 3-2 and runner-up in Round Two, Group D. In the 15s Division, the KIVA 15 White team finished 4-1, taking third in Round Two, Group C and the KIVA 15 Black team finished 3-2 good for third in Round Two, Group A.</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":["730360"],"_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-695b266133528"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Furbee's versatility will blend in just fine with the 17 Red team. She does a great job transitioning then has a great follow-through on her swings. She smacks it down the lines and can adjust in the air to tip balls over blockers. Furbee can take quality out of system swings when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["931035"],"_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-695b2661335da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitsell is moving into a defensive specialist role after setting for the 16 White team last year. Whitsell is a hustler on the court. She has made strides on her ball control. Whitsell does not hesitate to dive after balls when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["456584"],"_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-695b2c3657772"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turner produces a lot of nectar sets for 16 Red. Turner moves into position quickly and makes the most of the first touches. Turner does not hesitate to push balls away from the net to give the hitters more room to swing. She does a variety of sets including back sets and surprises opponents with setovers. Defensively, Turner can make pancake digs under control when needed. She defends line shots and soft shots well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["931049"],"_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-695b2e88b1f4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Courtney has drastically improved her precision. She runs tandems and involves a number of hitters finding different ways to draw blockers away from various hitters. Courtney executes a number of sets and has a deceptive back tap setter dump and setover.</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. 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