Showdown in the Smokies Final Day Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Writer's Note: </em>Prep Dig Kentucky Scout Laura Hanson contributed to this story.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Volunteer State and Pioneer Region saw three teams bring home championships and four more finish runner-up in the respective divisions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Union 17 Green squad brought home the 17 Club crown with a 7-0 run for the first tournament crown of the year. The MID TN 16 Silver team also won its first crown of the season with a 6-0 run through the 16 Club White Division and the Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy (KIVA) 14 White team beat KIVA 15 Silver in the 15 Club Orange. That marked the third tournament win of the season for KIVA 14 White.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KIVA also saw two other teams finish runner-up. The 15 Black team finished 5-1 in 15 Premier White play and the 14 Red finished 6-1 in the 15 Premier Orange Division. In the Volunteer State, Rhythm 17 Janvier finished runner-up in the 17/18 Premier Division with Alliance 16 Molten taking runner-up in the 16 Premier Division at 5-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of individuals had nice performances on the final day. In the 15 Open Division, the top-seeded Starts 15 Bing squad did go 7-0 to win it. However, the team had to survive three-set battles against Rhythm 15 Dasia and Union 15 Black in the quarterfinals on the way to the win. MAVA 15 Select had to go three sets against K2 15 Elite to make it to the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["969495"],"_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-69f019b57bb62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carver produces from all six spots on the court. She has good spacing away from the net and reacts quickly on blocked balls. Carver takes solid swings from the back row. Carver has been working on a variety of swings and it it showing on the court. A nice next step for Carver is figuring out ways to hit around tough blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758754"],"_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":969256,"_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-69f012fa8c623"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodman is a great leaders on the court for 17 Elite. Goodman makes the simple passes, consistently squaring up balls and making nice adjustments for good passes. She does a great job stopping in her tracks prior to making those passes. Goodman has been using that solid platform to take better angles to the targets. Goodman said she absorbed a lot of powerful hits off her arms for two to three-point passes throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909701"],"_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":969299,"_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-69f012fa8c750"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baron put together a solid showing making plays at all six spots on the court. Baron has been working on her back row attacks trying to separate herself from other hitters. Her ball placement has improved throughout club season. Baron gets on top of balls after a great vertical jump then takes solid cross shots. Baron takes solid swings after teammates run nice fakes to draw blockers away from her. Baron is not afraid to tip balls over blockers and makes crisp passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["969383"],"_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":969454,"_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-69f019b57bcbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis (pictured) brings great energy to the court. Davis makes sound passes then quickly gets into her attacking position and delivers hard swings. Davis has solid line swings and can hit off blocks for big points. Davis is also a great communicator on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["851868"],"_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-69f01cf51a31a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes has played a number of positions and excels at all of them. Barnes is a six-rotation player that can hit equally well from both pins. Barnes especially thrives in the defensive specialist spot with her quick feet. Barnes follows balls well and receives hard shots, then uses a solid platform to make precise passes. Barnes pulls off a lot of aces with her solid serves and always makes a difference while on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["969598"],"_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-69f01cf51a3c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williamson is active at the net, rising up for nice touches and blocks. Williamson smacks balls from the opposite side. She can hit down the line or across the court. Williamson hits through blocks and shows good court IQ following plays well. Williamson is also very vocal on the court.</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 -->