Gold Round Open All-Star Performances on Final Day

One team from Kentucky and another from Tennessee claimed an open championship on the final day of the Bluegrass Invitational in Louisville on Sunday. The [program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club'] 17-1 Tsunami team finished 7-2 and won a tournament for the second straight weekend taking the 17 Open squad championship with a 2-1 (25-22, 19-25, 15-8) victory over area rival Elevation 17 Chicas. The squad knocked off KIVA 17 Red to advance to the Gold Round avenging a loss to the rivals on the first day of the tournament.   The Alliance 16 REN team out Franklin, Tennessee won the 16 Open Division with a tight 2-1 (25-15, 13-25, 15-13) win over the Union 16 Black squad in the championship. Union 16 Black knocked off 6-0 [program_tooltip program_id='431559' first='Tennessee' last='Performance'] 16-Maverick in the Gold Challenge Two round then the Munciana 16 Nighthawks in the Gold semifinals on the way to the championship game. Alliance 16 REN knocked off the Elevation 16 Renfro team, 2-1 (25-21, 22-25, 18-16) in the semifinals.    Stacey continues to be a force all over the floor for the 17-1 Tsunami squad. Her net presence helped the team win the 17 Open crown Sunday. Stacey recorded a number of key blocks on the way to the tournament win. Stacey ended the semifinal win with a convincing one. She also took a number of exceptional swings per usual. Stacey said big blocks give teams momentum and great energy.     Grout has taken her defensive play up a few notches. Grout uses her great range to track down balls. She gives a great effort trying not to let balls fall. Her first touches have seen exceptional development. Grout also sends sound serves to different places on the court. Grout keeps her arms angled toward the net to make solid two to three-point passes. She'll continue to find different ways to better balls throughout the rest of the club season.     Klein (pictured) gives the 15 REN team a sound net presence and depth in the front row. Klein runs nice slide routes and puts up sound double blocks with teammates, consistently getting touches on balls. Klein is coachable and enthusiastic on the sidelines. Klein needs some work on her hitting accuracy, but is tough when she gets on top of balls.     Urlu is a solid right side that delivers balls at a unique angle as a lefty. Urlu sends solid crosses to the three zone. Urlu gives the 16 REN team a nice change of pace. Urlu gets on top of balls to send them hard to different zones on the court. She makes great adjustments when opponents adjust their blocking schemes to take away areas of success. Urlu reacts quickly on blocked balls to keep plays alive. Urlu said she tries to mix up her shots so defenders can't key on one type of shot.     Baldwin can come in and deliver at the net when called upon whether it is a big kill or block. Baldwin gave the 16 REN team some momentum with big blocks in the second set of the championship round. Baldwin said blocking is a huge emphasis for this club team. Baldwin said it's important for players to believe in themselves and each other to come through. Baldwin added that belief can come in handy in big moments.     Derringer does a good job going up, using a quick arm swing then drilling balls to the ground. Derringer said her vertical reach hits 9 feet, 11 inches allowing her to quickly hit balls passed solid blockers. Derringer is also a hustler on defense consistently making big digs to keep plays alive.    Note from the Writer   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.

One team from Kentucky and another from Tennessee claimed an open championship on the final day of the Bluegrass Invitational in Louisville on Sunday. The Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club 17-1 Tsunami team finished 7-2 and won a tournament for the second straight weekend taking the 17 Open squad championship with a 2-1 (25-22, 19-25, 15-8) victory over area rival Elevation 17 Chicas. The squad knocked off KIVA 17 Red to advance to the Gold Round avenging a loss to the rivals on the first day of the tournament.