Hobcab Volleyball Club Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is not uncommon for players to follow high school coaches to the clubs they coach at. A number of the 12th Region Trinity Christian Titans play for head coach Chad Gray at [program_tooltip program_id='503073' first='Hobcab' last='Volleyball Club']. Trinity Christian, located in Nicholasville, is coming off a strong 33-7 campaign that saw the team win the All "A" 12th Region crown and drive to the All "A" State Championship Flight semifinals before driving to the 12th Region title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club came about in 2020. The club has three teams this year in the 16U, 15U and 13U classes this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is used to playing together in a 23-3 start to the season. The team has two tournament wins and two runner-up finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two kills leaders off that Trinity Christian team in sophomore outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='612250' first='Amelia' last='Stanton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='897249' first='Elizabeth' last='Battaile'] reside on this team. Another Trinity Christian sophomore teammate in [player_tooltip player_id='917137' first='Harper' last='Huhn'] at defensive specialist is also on this team. Other Trinity Christian sophomores on this team are outside hitter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='934898' first='Evie' last='Hardin'], setter Isabel Clark and outside hitter/middle blocker Charlotte Clark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyle County junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='816674' first='Maleeah' last='Smith'] gives the team size in the middle. Boyle County sophomore libero Peyton Kelley rounds out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team next plays in the St. Patty's Day Bash in Lexington on March 14 and 15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is also off to a good start at 11-3, coming off a third place finish out of 22 teams in the 15 Girls Division at the Queen of the Mountain Tournament at Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A huge need for Trinity Christian this fall will be at setter. However, Gray said he likes what he sees from eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='949908' first='Ella' last='Guarnieri']. She can set Trinity Christian freshman Gisele Ragland on the right side or Sayre freshman [player_tooltip player_id='938308' first='Blair' last='Smarte'] in the middle or right side. Sayre freshman Madeline Mullikin plays a defensive specialist role. Trinity Christian freshmen Olivia Turco and Emery Ralston are also on the roster. Rounding out the roster are Lucille Rogers, Laura Richeson and Ellie Billings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team also next plays in the St. Patty's Day Bash in Lexington on March 14 and 15.</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":["612250"],"_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-699faacfd0879"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stanton brings great versatility to the team. She does a great job getting on top of balls to power them to the floor. Stanton places balls all over the court making things difficult on opponents. She can record sound solo and assisted blocks. Her volleyball IQ comes in handy for the teams. Stanton also makes sound first contacts. She'll continue to grow during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897249"],"_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-699faacfd08e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battaile delivers consistency every time she hits the court for both Hobcab and Trinity Christian. Her high court IQ gives her great time to make things happen. Battaile uses great ball control and a quick release to land superb crosses. Battaile also makes great first touches in the back row and is a solid blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938308"],"_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-699faede6f0ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smart has tremendous upside for Sayre. She just needs to fine-turning in key areas. She can place balls well from the pins and makes good in-air adjustments to shove balls off blocks and away from defenders. If Smarte develops a quicker arm swing, she can turn into a solid hitter for Sayre. She runs nice slides and goes hard after balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["949908"],"_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-699faede6f123"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray said he's been impressed with Guarnieri's IQ during club season. She saw varsity action in 13 games for the Titans in the fall. Guarnieri stepped into the libero role in one game and did a sound job on first touches. She can run the offense with proficiency and is an aggressive server. Guarnieri hopes to connect with Trinity Christian's big hitters quickly leading to a lot of hard shots.</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, Ohio and coming soon, Tennessee. 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 -->