Putnam Volleyball Club 16A Ashland Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland head coach Jason Clark switched associations to the Putnam Volleyball Club out of Eleanor, West Virginia, which is about half an hour south of Huntington. A number of the Ashland players followed him over and the club branched out into Ashland as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team played in the Nike River Rumble at Spooky Nook in Hamilton, Ohio over the weekend and finished 6-1 driving all the way to the Gold Bracket semifinals before losing 2-1 (20-25, 25-17, 15-12) in the 16 Club Gold Bracket semifinals to the [program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club'] 16-3.2 squad. The biggest win perhaps came against the [program_tooltip program_id='431819' first='CYVBC' last='Surge'] 16 Black team in pool play. That team also drove to the Gold Bracket semifinals before losing to eventual champion Toledo Volleyball Club 16 Black team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Half of the roster is comprised of Ashland players. The 6-0 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] leads the way and is playing with twin sister Emma Marcum, who is a defensive specialist. Two other sophomore contributors to Ashland's historic run to the state quarterfinals last year are also on the team in [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman'] and right side [player_tooltip player_id='893930' first='Melanie' last='Kelley']. The fifth Ashland player is sophomore defensive specialist Jocelyn King.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The setter is Alexis Mullens from Rock Hill (Ohio) outside of Ironton. She can set middle blocker Anniyah Carter from Portsmouth Scioto along with Portsmouth sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='817879' first='Reagan' last='Bowling']. Two outsides from West Virginia that round out the roster are Huntington's Laycee Fowlier and Cabell Midland's Madelyn Cooke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team next plays in the Presidents Cup on Feb. 14 and 15 in Columbus.</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":["786656"],"_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-69803822d5f49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lowman (pictured) normally sets, but stepped into the libero role over the weekend and excelled. Lowman positions herself well behind blocks. Lowman has good range. She can back up and handle hard hits but lunge forward to dig up tips and softer swings. Lowman also runs track and field at Ashland and will benefit from on the court from the use of other muscles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893930"],"_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-69803b02d3782"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelley appears to be ready to step into a big role for the Kittens this fall. Kelley takes back sets and deposits balls to different parts of the court. Kelley has a good wrist snap making for tough crosses. Playing on this club team will also help her develop some chemistry with the other four returning 2028 Ashland players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817879"],"_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-69803b02d38a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bowling is a force to be reckoned with for the Trojans. She does a good job getting her hands on top of balls to take powerful rips on crosses and to the back row. Defensive specialists have a hard time digging her up even if they're in the right position. Bowling is aggressive all over the court. Bowling also goes hard after balls. If her ball control improves defensively, Bowling could be a sound versatile player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941734"],"_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-69803d8064647"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcum has some potential to be a force with some improved hitting rhythm and mechanics. The lefty does a lot of good things from her strong side. Marcum takes advantage of unique angles. Marcum gives herself good space away from the net to take powerful swings.</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 -->