K2 17 Elite, 18 JOTA Overviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both these teams may be around .500. However, they've had a number of good moments. For example, 18 JOTA finished finished tied for third and 17 Elite finished tied for 13th out of 35 teams in the 17/18 Open Division at the Showdown in the Smokies this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dobyns-Bennett junior [player_tooltip player_id='803020' first='Milly' last='Williams'] and Farragut sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='978332' first='Hailey' last='Aiken'] have anchored things as defensive specialists. The setters are William Blount sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='938822' first='Ella' last='Reed'], Walker Valley sophomore Julia Scarbrough and Knoxville Catholic sophomore Kayla Krueger. The middle hitters are Morristown West junior [player_tooltip player_id='840531' first='Kiki' last='Almonte'] and South Greene freshman [player_tooltip player_id='761034' first='Emma' last='Padgett'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has several players that can take swings from the outside. They are Dobyns-Bennett junior [player_tooltip player_id='939361' first='Norah' last='Shook'], Knoxville West junior [player_tooltip player_id='963240' first='Ceil' last='Bankston'], Maryville sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='978246' first='Zoe' last='Trentham'] and Knoxville Catholic sophomore Shelly Spencer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team next plays in the K2 Summer Blast at the Sevierville Convention Center on May 9 and 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 JOTA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Half this team graduates in a matter of weeks, while the other half is preparing for senior seasons in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Catholic junior libero and Vanderbilt commit [player_tooltip player_id='845986' first='Mia' last='Kinney'] headlines the group with senior teammates Tallulah Carney and Haylee Munset joining her at outside and middle hitter, respectively. The other defensive specialist is Concord Christian senior Katelyn Stooksbury. Senior Emmi Black and junior Grace Amet are the setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other two seniors are William Blount outside hitter Eliza Hicks and Cleveland outside hitter Gunny Brock. Chuckey-Doak junior middle blocker along with Whitley County junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] and William Blount right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='810738' first='Ally' last='Everett'] round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club Director Jason Hames is the team's head coach. The team heads to Las Vegas for the 18U National championships May 9 to 11.</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":["938822"],"_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-69f2a26ed12af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reed (pictured) has made strides running the offense for 17 Elite during club season. She reads defenses well and tries to involve as many hitters as possible. She executes a variety of sets and mixes in deceptive setovers. Reed brings a lot of versatility to the team with her defense. She squares her body up to balls and makes crisp passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["978246"],"_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-69f2a26ed132b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trentham has developed a quicker arm swing during club season. Trentham has shown she can make things happen at the net. Trentham Trentham maintains good spacing from the net and finds different ways to put balls down. Trentham does not hesitate to stick her arm out to keep plays alive. Trentham hits balls off blocks for big points and has nice form on her blocks. She forms sound double blocks with teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["978332"],"_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-69f2a26ed1389"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aiken has solid range. Aiken constantly moves her feet and positions herself to make the simple first touches. Aiken can lunge toward side lines to get balls and bend to dig up well-struck balls under control. The lefty serves up a tough float serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603744"],"_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-69f2a26ed13dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac has mostly hit from outside in recent years, but can fit into a middle role if the right situation comes along. Her humbleness on and off the court helps her stay on an even keel throughout games. Isaac has a great vertical jump and has found ways to develop more downward trajectory on her hits. Isaac has been mixing up her hits better during club season. Isaac has also improved her blocking during club season.</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 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 michaelgraham@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 on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->