Five Final Day Bluegrass talent to know from two border states

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams from Kentucky and Tennessee finished high in a number of Divisions in the Bluegrass Tournament over the weekend in Louisville. Two Tennessee teams won crowns with the Memphis Junior Volleyball Academy 15 Elite Black team winning the 15 Premier Red Division and the [program_tooltip program_id='948793' first='Triple' last='F Volleyball Club'] 17-1 taking the 17 Classic Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The KIVA 16 White team won the 16 Premier Red crown and several others finished runner-up. The BRAVO 17 Black team took second in the 17 Premier White Division with the MAVA 15 Blue team taking second in the 15 Club Black crown. The KIVA 15 Silver team finished runner-up in the 15 Club Red and the KIVA 15 Black team took runner-up in the 15 Premier White Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["948659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":953781,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69ae2a61ed2bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward (pictured) helped Briarcrest Christian to the Division II-AA State championship and is committed to Bradley for a big reason. Ward dominates the net. Ward takes powerful swings on a number of gaps, go and one routes. Ward gets on top of balls and delivers balls to different zones with precision. Ward will smack down overpassed balls and is a sound blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875198"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":953747,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69ae269788d07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roy is a huge reason why the 15 Select team came into the tournament with an impressive 28-5 record. Roy is a sound all-around player. She takes sound net approaches and has a nice platform to perform good first touches. Roy makes sound in-air adjustments to put balls down. She takes strong four to four zone swings. Roy is not afraid to send soft balls to shallow one zones near the side lines on go routes. Roy credited the MAVA coaches for helping her develop. Roy said she takes that advice and puts it into game play and tries to apply herself on the court at all times trying to help the team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722187"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":953751,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69ae269788d84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collins does what she can to use her size to her advantage. She sends shots to the two zone from the pins and can make in-air adjustments to shove balls off blocks for big kills. Collins does not step in front of teammates if they call for balls. Collins performs strong double blocks then quickly reacts to put balls down. Collins needs some work on placing off (left) hand touches to opposite shallow side lines. Once she masters that, it will be a big weapon for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751698"],"_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-69ae2a61ed373"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benham is playing up on the 15 Purple squad and said that has helped her elevate her play. Benham is good on her feet and has increased her speed running various routes and quick sets. Benham involves a number of hitters and makes sound first touches trying to get the team into a good offensive rhythm. One can tell her leadership and volleyball IQ have improved. Benham also does a good job encouraging her teammates. Benham also puts free balls across with a purpose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711994"],"_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-69ae2b330aa8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dotson has seen her consistency among other aspects of her game pick up as the result of the competition she's seen and the teammates she has. Dotson paints lines well and angles balls off blocks well for big points. Dotson uses a nice platform to make sound passes. Her dedication will go a long way for 66 Elite and Lafayette the rest of her career.</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 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 -->