K2 15 Elite Team Overviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The K2 15 Elite teams may have been knocked dow, but have displayed improvement throughout the season. The hope is to finish strong these last two months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-1 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of 50th District rivals in Kentucky have paired up on this team in dynamic Corbin libero [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] and Whitley County eighth grade middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett']. Carroll plays all-around in high school so the team does not hesitate to let her take swings if other hitters are struggling. Two others in Concord Christian freshman Molly Sloan and Knoxville Catholic freshman [player_tooltip player_id='960381' first='Arabella' last='Keith'] also take swings in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Catholic freshman Juliana Caroccio and Maryville freshman Annabeth Babelay provide nice first touches at defensive specialist with Webb freshman [player_tooltip player_id='964620' first='Isla' last='Adams'] setting up the plays. The team is loaded at outside hitter with Knoxville Catholic freshmen Abigail Shaver, Lillian Giever, Webb freshman [player_tooltip player_id='960380' first='Chloe' last='Hazelbaker'], Walker Valley freshman [player_tooltip player_id='969383' first='Sophia' last='Davis'] and Concord Christian freshman [player_tooltip player_id='806258' first='Laney' last='Hochevar'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jason Keeble is the team's head coach. The next event is the K2 Summer Blast from May 8 to 10 in the 15 Girls Division at the Sevierville Convention Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-2 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Catholic freshman Nicole Mendoza, Knoxville Christian Academy freshman Hannah Daws and Maryville freshman Baili Silcox start things with good first touches at defensive specialist. Three setters make important second touches in Maryville freshman Charlette Upward, Knoxville West freshman [player_tooltip player_id='963033' first='Lucie' last='Collett'] and Emberly McNair.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team features three pin hitters in Knoxville West sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='984695' first='Kaelyn' last='Graham'], William Blount freshman Lydia Hales and Knoxville West freshman Anastasia Moore. Two middles in Reese Wilson and Emmy Walkup round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deidre Keeble is the team's head coach. The next event is the K2 Summer Blast from May 8 to 10 in the 15 Girls Division at the Sevierville Convention Center.</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":["806258"],"_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-69fa7f83206f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hochevar (pictured) has marked consistency on the final two steps of her three and four-step hitting approaches, then gets on top of balls to send hard crosses to the back row. Hochevar has good spacing from the net and is not afraid to tip balls to the 10-foot line when out of system. Teams have to respect her crosses so much it opens up line shots. Hochevar angles balls off blocks for big points and nicely places down overpassed balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["964620"],"_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-69fa7f83207b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adams does a good job putting hitters in positions to succeed. She tries to involve a number of hitters. Adams is also valuable on defense. Adams sets up nicely behind blocks and consistently makes the simple passes. She makes good adjustments on deflected balls. Adams is displaying good range and produces in all six zones on the court. Adams is working on developing a nice float serves to different parts of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960381"],"_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-69fa7f832084b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keith has nice size and is learning different ways to use it to control the net. Keith has good blocking form and it shows with solid double blocks. She takes nice swings on ones and mixes in good off shots. Keith also displays good instincts on balls that deflect off her hands. Keith could develop into a sound front row hitter once she starts getting on top of balls better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["984695"],"_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-69fa92943a962"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graham has a nice future ahead of her once she gets her timing and rhythm down. Graham takes sound swings to the sides of blocks. She gets blockers going one way then taps balls to the opposite shallow lines. Graham angles balls off blocks for big points and makes things happen out of system. Graham makes nice first touches in the back row to jumpstart the West offense.</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 -->