Union 16 Black, Green Elite Team Overviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both these Union Elite teams are off to good starts. The 16 Black is 24-8 having won the MLK Extravaganza in mid-January and finishing runner-up in the UA Bluegrass Tournament 16 Open Division. The 16 Green is 20-13 with one tournament victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fiercely competitive Holy Cross (Louisville) junior [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] and Mercy sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] lead things off with nice first passes to a dynamic setter in Sacred Heart sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken']. Bakken sets up four outsides in Mercy sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'], DuPont Manual sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='851639' first='Ally' last='Hamilton'], Floyd Central (Indiana) sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='932714' first='Autumn' last='Engle'] and Our Lady of Providence sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='747454' first='Hadley' last='Hasselbring'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bakken can also set up three middle blockers. They are Our Lady of Providence sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='741564' first='Isabella' last='Manos'], Mercy sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and New Albany sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='932715' first='Tresdan' last='McAfee'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denise Ranney is once again the head coach of this team. The next event is the Nike Mideast Qualifier in Indianapolis from March 20 to 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two North Oldham sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='752630' first='Raleigh' last='Becker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='955455' first='Sophie' last='Gianzero'] along with Sacred Heart sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='955287' first='Keira' last='Hennessey'] begin the offensive rhythm with good passes to Floyd Central (Indiana) sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='914656' first='Madelyn' last='Dytrych']. The team has three Mercy sophomores in outsides [player_tooltip player_id='951002' first='Audrey' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='955469' first='Elayna' last='Crigler'] and right side [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three hitters round out the roster. Sacred Heart 6-0 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='895820' first='Avery' last='Pryor'] gives the team a middle presence with Assumption right side sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='896469' first='Bryn' last='Haley'] standing at the same height. The other one is North Oldham sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='752339' first='Kayla' last='Dickhaut'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellie Garner is the team's head coach. The next event is the Nike Mideast Qualifier in Indianapolis from March 20 to 22.</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":["851639"],"_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-69b4d2e00f8f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton has fit right in with 16 Black after coming over from a rival club. Hamilton has a great net approach, gets on top of balls then follows through for a sound finish. She can hit line if blockers are doubling her coming back on crosses. However, Hamilton has a great vertical jump and can smack balls over and around blocks if not off blocks for big points. Hamilton also has a solid line drive jump serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["554148"],"_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-69b4d2e00f982"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cronen (pictured) has turned into a solid all-around player for 16 Black. Her athleticism and strength played a big role in the 16 Open runner-up finish at the Bluegrass Invitational last weekend. Cronen has a good wrist snap to make sure the ball takes a downward trajectory to the floor. Cronen also does a good job hustling on defense. She's made some pancake digs during club season. She lunges for balls, yet stays under control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["955287"],"_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-69b4d65b2bc02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hennessey brings consistency to 16 Green. Hennessey reacts quick, squares her body and arms up to balls and pops balls in the air under control. Hennessey also makes a number of quality out of system sets. She uses her hands and not her arms to make those sets. Hennessey will continue to do great things during club season with her work ethic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896469"],"_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-69b4d8798be3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haley takes short sets in the middle and the gaps, then smacks balls to open parts of the court. She has a great vertical leap allowing her to pound balls before blockers can get up and get hands them. Haley mixes in soft hits to keep defenders guessing. Haley also has great timing on her solo blocks.</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, 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 -->