Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy East 18s Season Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy East program has provided good opportunities for players at schools located in Whitley, Laurel and Knox Counties and beyond another good option. Many came together and played with different teammates trying to find ways to gel. The 18-1 team finished 13-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team had one senior in North Laurel middle blocker Addison Metcalf. Two South Laurel players in junior [player_tooltip player_id='798354' first='Samantha' last='Gay'], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='799745' first='Victoria' last='Queen'] along with Corbin junior [player_tooltip player_id='793870' first='Emma' last='Wilder'] played defensive specialist roles. Sound all-around Pulaski County junior [player_tooltip player_id='535242' first='Olivia' last='Travis'] provided a number of sound sets to a number of talented hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corbin junior [player_tooltip player_id='915757' first='Izzy' last='Evans'] gave the team a lift at outside hitter and defensive specialist with Boyle County junior [player_tooltip player_id='603627' first='Lilly' last='Turner'] giving the team an option at the right side. Corbin juniors [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='812326' first='Charli' last='Nartker'] gave the team options at outside hitter and middle blocker, respectively. Corbin junior [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] joined the team after basketball season and helped at middle blocker standing 6-3.</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":["535272"],"_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-6a05fd708a7e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newcomb (pictured) gives the team a sound option on the outside and in the middle. Newcomb uses sound ball control to put balls away from opponents. Newcomb has good trajectory on her off hits. Newcomb makes things happen out of system, angling balls off blocks for big points. She takes good first steps to hit away from double blocks and tips balls to open parts of the floor. Newcomb wins jousts at the net and is a sound blocker. Newcomb sends solid float serves to the back line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603627"],"_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-6a060bef1a587"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turner has turned into a solid playmaker at all six spots on the floor for Boyle County. She gets on top of balls and makes good in-air adjustments to hit them away from blocks and to the floor. She has sound line hits and angles balls off blocks for huge points. Turner also sends across nice out of system attacks. Turner has a good platform on first touches. She steps to balls to make crisp passes. She is not afraid to go to her knees to make big digs when needed. Turner had 183 kills, 244 digs and 50 aces in the fall, helping the Rebels win a fourth straight 45th District title and drive back to the 12th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["798354"],"_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-6a060bef1a4cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gay provides sound defensive play for the Cardinals. She anticipates balls well, then lines her arms up to balls to make crisp passes. Gary stops in her tracks to make the simple passes. Gay also sends across tough float serves. Gay had 375 digs for the Cardinals in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["793870"],"_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-6a0605c9c421c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilder brings back good experience and could step into a big defensive role in the fall for th Redhounds. Wilder provides nice net backup with sound form on her digs. Wilder is not afraid to stick out her arms to keep plays alive. She also puts good topspin on her serves. Wilder mixes up serve locations unless she finds a weakness.</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 -->