Elite Athletic Academy 15s, 16 Teams Season in Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael and Sarah Tapscott founded this club in 2016 trying to increase the level of play in the 1st Region and surrounding areas. Since the inception, the club has won three Club Division championships in the Junior Volleyball Academy World Challenge, the Amateur Athletic Union Super Regional Tournament and the Adidas Bluegrass Tournament. The club has also finished in the top 10 in five other events. Two of the older teams put together solid seasons this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Topscott spent a year learning the system of the Sports Perfmance Club in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, Illinois and tried to implement many of those philosophies at EAA. The club has produced some nice talent over the years. One former player in Izzy Myers is coming back to the area to take over the McCracken County Mustangs program after spending the last four yers playing at Transylvania University in Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Tapscott coached this team that finished 19-9. The team won the 16 Girls Division of the Cape Girardeau Classic and finished runner-up in the Spring Showdown 16 Club Division in Franklin, Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard Memorial sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='779144' first='Andee' last='Bodell'] and McCracken County sophomore McCoy Gregory lead the tean. Gregory is slated to take over the starting setter role for the region power this fall. McCracken County sophomore Shelby Hesley played some utility outside, but is mainly a defensive specialist. Massac County (Illinois) sophomore Rachel Brown is another defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has two middle blockers in McCracken County sophomore 5-11 Jayci Sheppard and Massac County sophomore Aubrey Etheridge. McCracken County sophomore Riley Ramage does not play high school ball, but the bowler plays outside for this team. Ballard Memorial Sarah Wilkins and Calloway County sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='801035' first='Aspen' last='Ham'] take swings from the right side. Ham also plays outside hitter at Calloway County. McCracken County sophomore Ansley Burnett and Calloway County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='842594' first='Gabbi' last='Cooper'] round our the roster as outside hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chancie Coleman coached this team to a sound 32-9 mark. The team won the Backyard Bash 15 Girls Division in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and the 15 Girls Division at the Blue Raider Classic in Bowling Green. The team concluded the season finishing runner-up to the Alpha A.51 team, 2-0 (27-25, 29-27).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Ballard Memorial eighth graders in setter [player_tooltip player_id='890926' first='Rilee' last='Bodell'] and middle blocker Jada Roberts played up to this level. Ballard Memorial freshman Fallon Lucas and McCracken County freshman Katherine Wyatt played defensive specialist roles. McCracken County freshman Adeleine Parker split time between setter and right side hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other middle blocker is Ballard Memorial freshman [player_tooltip player_id='905594' first='Gracie' last='Glisson']. Ballard Memorial freshman [player_tooltip player_id='964630' first='Mallie' last='Owens'] and McCracken County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='964629' first='Kyndal' last='Hite'] play outside hitter. Murray freshman [player_tooltip player_id='966214' first='Kialee' last='Kemp'] plays right side hitter and fille in at middle blocker with McCracken County freshman Addison Jones playing right side on this team after playing a six-rotation outside hitter spot as a freshman for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team played in several tournaments and took some lumps, but had some good moments. Carlisle County freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='966210' first='Sophie' last='Grogan'] leads the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall County freshmen Aubrey Walden, Molly McHone, McCracken County freshman Sophie Myhand and Ballard Memorial freshman Raegan Cochran play defensive specialist roles. McCracken County freshmen Hailyn Layfield and Norah Bartlett are the setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCracken County freshmen Kynlee Hays and Marshall County freshman Grayson Miller played middle blocker roles. Livingston Central freshman [player_tooltip player_id='788387' first='Abigail' last='Erickson'] plays middle blocker and outside hitter with Community Christian Academy freshman Addison Rudd playing outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779144"],"_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-6a10f3286a2fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bodell does a good job trying to do what is asked of her. Bodell makes nice first touches and involves a number of hitters at the setter spot. She goes back and sends balls toward the net. She can handle crosses. Bodell needs work on her ball control and range, but that is coming around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["964630"],"_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-6a10fdb4a6288"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens (pictured) has developed a sharper downward trajectory on her swings during club season. Owens hits off blocks for big points. She makes things happen at all six spots on the court. Owens also has sound ball placement. Owens especially sends across solid line hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801035"],"_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-6a10fdb4a6222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ham showed some promise at defensive specialist in the fall. She squares her arms up to balls and does a good job following through for good passes. Ham also showed she could take good swings. More consistency will go a long way for her this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["788387"],"_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-6a10fdb4a62e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Erickson makes the most out of every situation. Her versatility took major steps forward during club season. Erickson takes sound swings from the middle and pins. She is also sound passer. Erickson makes quick moves from defense to offense trying to help terminate balls.</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 @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a>&nbsp;or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a>&nbsp;on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee 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 -->