Team Profile: Sound Team Chemistry Keys Wolfe County Rebound

Nearing summer workouts, Wolfe County vetern head coach Ben White has good reason for optimism that the Wolves will be back near the top of the 14th Region this fall.   White said the team chemistry is the best it has been in recent years, adding he feels the six potential starters match up well with other teams in the region. The hope is that helps get the Wolves back to where they'd been in four of the previous five seasons prior to this past fall. That's playing for region championships. The Wolves have won the region crown in 2020, '22 and '23 before finishing region runner-up to Knott County Central in 2024.   Wolfe County improved its win total to 19-15 last season, which marked an eight-game improvement from the previous season. However, Knott County Central once again knocked the Wolves out of the region tournament. It was in the semifinals this past season. Wolfe County also did not win the 55th District championship for the first time since 2021, losing to Breathitt County in five sets in the district championship game. The Wolves graduate four players off last year's team.   Three senior expected starters in libero [player_tooltip player_id='603773' first='Grace' last='Ponce'], outside hitter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='603771' first='Madison' last='Deshon'] and outside hitter/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781599' first='Emily' last='Stephens'] bring back a lot of varsity experience. Deshon and Stephens ranked second and third on the team last year in kills. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='987364' first='Lauren' last='Moore'] hopes to take over the setter role with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='781499' first='Madeline' last='Howard'] stepping in at an outside hitter role. White noted the importance of using the right tone when holding teammates accountable. Moore said it is important to help teammates through issues as opposed to holding it against them and Ponce added she hopes to see everyone be there for each other.   White said he's been happy with the incoming freshman class. One is primed to start in defensive specialist Rhyan Caudill. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='533548' first='Shylah' last='Moore'], Jacinda Friend and Olivia Waters along with sophomore Kiley Baisden and six-rotation eighth grader Raelyn Hollan also hope to help out on defense. White said serve reception will be the key to success this season.   Another freshman that could help at right side and middle blocker is Kenzie Alexander. Many of the players have been working with White during club season at the [program_tooltip program_id='740321' first='Bluegrass' last='Volleyball Academy']. White said footwork and range have been areas of focus during that time. Some scrimmages have been scheduled for May.   Players to Watch    Deshon (pictured) delivers explosive plays from the middle and the pins. Deshon does a good job getting on top of balls and putting good power into them. She mixes in nice ball control with roll shots. Deshon tips over blocks for huge points and makes a number of out of system plays. Deshon makes sound passes and has good blocking form. Deshon said the players have been in the gym when they can trying to find ways to improve.     Stephens also gives the Wolves sound all-around play. She takes nice swings, especially on ones, placing them to different spots on the court. Stephens even puts timely hits off blocks for big points. Stephens also sends across sound off shots. Stephens soundly puts down overpassed balls. Stephens anticipates balls well, makes nice passes and forces balls high to help out the defensive specialists. Stephens said she's improved her outlook on the team, adding she's looking forward to meeting the new underclassmen and will try to help them enjoy the process.     Moore has done a good job stepping into the 5-1 setter role. Moore credited the team for letting her play some at setter so she could learn the position in the fall. She's learing where her hitters want balls and trying to place balls in their power zones. Moore moves quickly to balls to make sound first touches. Moore can also put together sound bump and overhead passes to jumpstart the offense.     Howard gained some valuable experience for Wolfe County in the fall. Howard rainbows balls to the back line away from sound defensive specialists. Howard gives good back row play, executing both bump and overhead passes.    Note from the Writer   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. 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Nearing summer workouts, Wolfe County vetern head coach Ben White has good reason for optimism that the Wolves will be back near the top of the 14th Region this fall.