Five 2028s Flying Under the Radar from Middle Region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the five state champions in the fall, four came from the middle part of the state in and around Nashville. They were Summit, Valor Prep and Eagleville in Division I with Middle Tennessee Christian winning the Division II-A title. The lone state champion from the west region was Briarcrest Christian, which won the Division II-AA state championship. These five from that region are worth checking out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946604"],"_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-69cc74dc2a96e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill (pictured) has quick hands and uses them to put nice touches on her sets to help the 16 REN team into a smooth offensive rhythm. Hill disguises where balls are going. She often has three options and does a great job spreading things out. Hill also displays her versatility on defense and serving. Hill had 864 assists, 50 blocks, 70 aces and 273 digs in the fall, helping Columbia Central go 19-10 and make it to the Division I-AAA region tournament. Off the court, Hill and her family members are nice people to get to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946606"],"_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-69cc74dc2a8c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martin gives the Bruins size to reload for a run at state title number 17 after finishing runner-up in Division I-AAA for the second straight season. Martin takes sound swings from the outside. She angles balls off blocks for big points. Martin takes back sets and deposits them to the back row. Martin is turning into an all-around player with sound passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["940988"],"_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-69cc74dc2a9f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leathers is a textbook power hitter with 1,150 career kills after just her sophomore year. She explodes up, gets on top of balls and has an outstanding downward trajectory, making her tough to dig up if blockers don't at least get hands on those balls. Leathers can even take solid shots from the back row. She mixes in sound off sets for a great mixture of hits to throw at opponents. Leathers stops in the paths of balls and uses a great platform to make crisp passes. She is not afraid to lunge, but does it under control. Leathers smacked 646 kills to go with 91 aces, 45 blocks and 304 digs in the fall, helping Eagleville go 43-5 and win the first state championship in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["959325"],"_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-69cc74dc2aa54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fisher has outstanding range and it has shown throughout her career. Fisher anticipates balls well and sets her feet to make crisp passes. Her experience facing tough competition in the rough Division II-AA Middle Region is more than paying off. Fisher is used to having to move her feet quickly to get to balls. Fisher sets up behind blockers well and tries to take away the strengths of opponents. Fisher also sends across tough line drive serves. Fisher had 505 digs in the fall, helping Pope John Paul II to a respectable 20-11 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["959318"],"_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-69cc74dc2aaaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hansen brings a lot of versatility to the court. Hansen runs an efficient offense and takes solid swings. She comes up from the back row, eyes the defense the lets balls rip. Hansen also does a great job anticipating and turning back balls, including hard hits from the back row. Hansen had 158 kills, 31 aces, 222 digs and 289 assists in the fall, helping Merrol Hyde go 24-6 and make it to the Division I-A state tournament.</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 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 mikegraham@prepdig.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 -->