Four Rising Players from Division I-AAA, Region 5, District 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is different for each sport, but the district tournament champion and runner-up advance to the region tournament in the volleyball in the Volunteer State. The public schools reside in Division I divided into three classes with the private schools residing in Division II divided into two schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the state's largest AAA class in Division I in the south central part of the state, District 9 puts out some good talent. The district gets overshadowed some because the two region representatives run into the loaded District 10 in the region tournament. Eventual state champion Summit beat Columbia Central in the quarterfinals and Brentwood beat district champion Lincoln County. The last time one of the current teams won a region tournament game came in 2021 with Lawrence County winning the region crown as a member of AA. Coffee County Central earned the district's last AAA region tournament came on Oct. 13, 2020 when Coffee County Central beat Rockvale, 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia Central owns the most state tournament appearances of the current members with three in 2012, 1983 and 1982 with Lawrence County making appearances in 2021 and 1981. Franklin County is the only other team in the district to go to state making its lone appearance in 1980. Columbia Central knocked off Barlett, 3-2 on Oct. 24, 2012 for the lone state tournament win of the seven current teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the district puts out good talent. Some are making trips north to play in clubs that see a bunch of Open Division action. These four hope to take more strides forward this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["956685"],"_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-69f552e87e53f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scott-Garland (pictured) has developed consistency in the back row for the 16 Blue and the Cats. She stops in her tracks and squares her body up to balls to make crisp passes. Scott-Garland is also a good communicator on the court. Her energy could be a big key to the Cats driving back to the region tournament this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["980042"],"_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-69f5656407a24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nogodula burst onto the scene for the Raiders, making a huge impact at the libero spot. Her maturity shows as she plays hard all the time, giving great effort going after balls, yet trying to remain under control. Nogodula anticipates balls well and has quick reflexes. Nogodula has shown she can handle hard crosses and uses great range to move forward to dig up tips. Nogodula has even developed a nice float serve. Nogodula also plays basketball and flag football at Coffee County Central, which helps her develop other muscles and stay in shape for volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817945"],"_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-69f5656407abc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cunningham has developed a great arsenal from the pins for the Falcons. Cunningham can hit through, over and around double blocks using a quick vertical jump. Cunningham sends rainbow off shots to the opposite corner on the go routes. Cunningham adds in tips to the middle to keep defenses honest. Cunningham had 320 kills, 40 aces and 119 digs to help Lincoln County to the district championship last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981540"],"_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-69f56a4927c60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bell could be one of the hidden gems in the district. Bell has a quick arm swing, using that plus her size to make a difference at the net. Bell is especially tough on shoots when teams can't consistently jump high enough to at least get touches on her. Bell deposits them to different parts of the court. Bell has even displayed great reaction time on defense in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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 michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. 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