KIVA 17 White, TSE 16 Blue teams claim MEPL Tourney titles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneer Region wound up winning one class in each of the 16 and 18 Divisions in Mideast Power Region Play over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The KIVA 17 White team won the 18 Open game to finish 5-0 over the weekend with a 2-0 (25-21, 26-24) win over the KIVA 18 White team on Sunday. The Prodigy 18 Red team also made it to the Gold Round from the Pioneer Region. KIVA 17 White is 10-2 in MEPL play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tri-State Elite 16 Blue team won the 16 Elite crown going 7-0 on the weekend and move to 11-1 in MEPL play. TSE 16 Blue knocked off FaR Out 15 Black, 2-1 (19-25, 25-16, 15-12) to win the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Munciana 18 Samurai team won the 18 Elite Division. However, K2 JOTA out of the Knoxville suburb of Louisville, Tennessee made it to the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illini Elite 16 Cardinal team won the 16 Open with Tri-State Elite 16 White making the semifinals. The Alpha A.51 team also made the semifinals of the 16 Premier Division. Elite Volleyball Training Center 16 National won that division.</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":["484420"],"_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-699ba9b84197e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Faber (pictured) is taking steps to contribute in a number of ways for 17 White. She has an even keel on the court and mixes up her hits to different hitters. She can execute a number of sound sets. Faber continues to find ways to better balls on first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["579836"],"_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-699ba9b841a0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patton started to learn about leadership before hitting high school being the oldest of four. She landed a spot on the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-State in the fall because of her versatility. She is tough when setters put balls at the top of her peak. Patton has a one-armed approach touch of 126 inches and it helps her power balls over double blocks. She also has an explosive swing making it tough on defensive specialists if blockers don't get hands on balls. She uses a good platform to dig up balls and great hands to send second balls to hitters if the team is out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939361"],"_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-699ba9b841a7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shook takes a solid approach to the net and delivers big finishes on the outside. Shook consistently puts the right amount of touch on balls. She slows up enough to make sure balls stay in between the lines. Shook will continue to improve playing in the Open Division throughout club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892813"],"_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-699bac33a2ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kok appears more than ready to take over as the second setter in Sayre's 6-2 system. She runs the offense with efficiency involving a number of hitters. Kok executes a variety of sets and has a great platform on her passes. </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 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->