Union Volleyball Club 17 Black Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has a mixture of returning players along with six newcomers. They may be 11-11 overall, but are 6-1 in Pioneer Region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='784260' first='Lucy' last='Tappel'] is back along with North Oldham junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='724992' first='Berkeley' last='Baxter']. Baxter can set up the other three returning players off last spring's 16 Black team in Ballard junior outside/right side [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'] along with twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] on the outside and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two players moved up from 16 Green last year in Collins setter [player_tooltip player_id='603802' first='Lily' last='Gutermuth'] and Holy Cross (Louisville) senior [player_tooltip player_id='898305' first='Ellery' last='Warnock']. Silver Creek junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='850354' first='Dannah' last='Kerberg'] and Floyd Central (Indiana) junior teammates [player_tooltip player_id='818089' first='Riley' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='944426' first='Riley' last='Jackson'] at middle blocker came over from a rival club. Brownstown Central junior [player_tooltip player_id='830158' first='Aylah' last='Belding'] at outside/right side hitter rounds out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team plays in the Bluegrass Tournament in Louisville this weekend in the 17 Open Division.</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":["724992"],"_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-69a789193dce9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baxter (pictured) makes the most of sets even if outside the preferred zone in the front row. Baxter efficiently runs offenses trying to involve as many hitters as possible. She puts a lot of balls on target and can take sound swings when the team is out of system. Baxter also makes crisp first touches. Baxter hopes to keep taking steps forward during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768557"],"_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-69a789193dd7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stoff is a difference maker in the middle and pins. She gets hands on balls to at least slow them down for the back row. Stoff can execute solo and double blocks. Stoff quickly transitions from defense to offense to make big plays. Stoff is especially tough on short passes on gaps and in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768451"],"_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-69a789193de0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stoff takes solid swings from the outside complementing her twin sister well. She is especially tough on go routes. She sets up a nice distance from the net to make more effective swings. She makes crisp passes and is an aggressive server. She will continue to improve over the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830158"],"_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-69a78c493ac24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Belding brings a fundamentally sound approach to 17 Black. Belding takes solid from the pins including crosses and powerful line shots. Belding does a great job carrying her momentum to the sides of blockers, thus avoiding hitting into them. Belding gets on top of balls to put lot of power into them.</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. 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