Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball 17s Teams Overview

The [program_tooltip program_id='430241' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Junior Volleyball'] Club came about in 1983. It is the oldest club and most established club in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area as it says on its website.   The club does produce some solid talent on a yearly bases and these two teams hope to add to that legacy. They are mostly intact from the 16 Blue and White teams last spring.   Blue   Anderson junior [player_tooltip player_id='800427' first='Karly' last='Otto'] returns at the libero spot as does St. Ursula junior Lilliana Costantini. Otto led the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with a 2.01 passer rating. Newport Central Catholic junior [player_tooltip player_id='776644' first='Hailey' last='Ryan'] will set or play defensive specialist with St. Henry junior [player_tooltip player_id='757885' first='Sophie' last='Dieruf'] setting or hitting from the right side.   Newport Central Catholic junior [player_tooltip player_id='743567' first='Maura' last='Franzen'] and Walton-Verona junior [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'] will play middle hitter or right side. Ryle junior [player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns'] and St. Henry junior Kate Wells return at outside/opposite hitters. New to this club is Wyoming junior Sara Mouch on the outside. Highlands junior [player_tooltip player_id='930290' first='Ava' last='Ireland'] moved up from the 16 White squad last year and will give the team some swings on the opposite side.   Jay Chung is the team's head coach. The first tournament is Jan. 24 and 25 in the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis. The team plays in the 17 Premier Blue Division.   White   Conner libero [player_tooltip player_id='887150' first='Makena' last='Marks'] comes back after a strong junior season. The other two defensive specialists are Walton-Verona junior [player_tooltip player_id='930263' first='Annie' last='Allen'] and Highlands junior Lyla Shaffer, who moves up from 16 Black last spring. Simon Kenton junior Lillie Laughlin and Bishop Brossart junior [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] will set up the hitters. Laughlin played on the 17 Black team last year.   The team has three outside/right side hitters in Highlands junior [player_tooltip player_id='839058' first='Taylor' last='Janosick'] along with Conner juniors Aurora Sandfoss and Olivia McConnell. McConnell played on the 16 Black team last year. The middle blockers are NewCath junior Alexa Combs and Highlands junior [player_tooltip player_id='836110' first='Meredith' last='Hicks'].   Eric Justice is the team's head coach. The team also plays its first tournament Jan. 24 and 25 in the Cental Zone Invitational in Indianapolis in the 17 Club White Division.   Players to Watch    McIntosh (pictured) has increased her arm speed and court awareness from her sophomore to junior year turning into a more effective hitter. McIntosh has the size to disrupt things at the net with good double blocks. McIntosh runs into her hitting percentage after going up for blocks. She smacks balls to the back row and can make in-air adjustments to shove balls to corners or tip balls over blockers. McIntosh can hit off blockers if for big points. McIntosh had 305 kills, 191 digs and 63 aces in the fall for Walton-Verona.     Ireland gives the Bluebirds a sound option at the opposite spot. She takes nines and sends across tough crosses and can angle balls off blocks and out of bounds for big points. She has a quick arm swing making it tough for middle blockers to slide over to her. Ireland had 148 kills in the fall, helping Highlands go 23-10 and win a ninth straight 36th District championship.     Franzen battled through some injuries this year, but still managed to put together a sound season for NewCath. Franzen is a six-rotation and finds ways to produce at all six spots on the court. Franzen stops her feet and makes precise passes in the back row. She takes calculated swings from the middle and pins. Franzen also pokes balls to sides away from defensive specialists. Franzen had 118 kills, 11 solo blocks and 33 assisted blocks for NewCath in the fall.     Allen steps into balls then stops before they arrive to make sound two to three-point passes. She only lunges out of necessity, but stays under control.     Janosick makes a huge difference at the net with her 6-0 height. She continually makes good decisions. She'll take hard rips, but also mix in tips to keep defenders guessing. She forms solid double teams on her blocking with her timing and vertical jump. Janosick had 163 kills and 85 digs in the fall, helping Highlands to a 23-10 record and a ninth straight 36th District championship.    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 Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball Club came about in 1983. It is the oldest club and most established club in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area as it says on its website.