Team Profile: Leslie County seeks elusive region crown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Leslie County Eagles started off last season strong winning the first 12 games, including a 3-0 home win over Knott County Central in the season opener, before the Patriots won the rematch in the 14th Region All "A" Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles finished 26-9 overall, won the 54th District crown for the second year in a row then made it to the region championship for the first time since 2015. However, the fourth battle against Knott County Central also went to the Patriots in Hyden by a 3-1 (25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 31-29) score. Leslie County finished 18-3 against region competition with all three losses coming to two-time defending region champion Knott County Central. Second-year Leslie County head coach Alex Washburn said the team has been focusing on things they can control during the preseason. The team graduated three players off last year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles hope to take that last step and secure the first region crown in program history with the return of a number of contributors from last season. Leslie County and Letcher County Central are widely considered preseason region favorites after Knott County Central graduated several key players from the region championship team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leslie County senior all-around outside hitterr [player_tooltip player_id='603770' first='Jaelyn' last='Johnson'] leads the way. Johnson hits from both the front and back rows and makes a number of simple plays on defense. Her cousin in senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='912581' first='Tatum' last='Begley'] is also back after a nice club season aiming to start up the offensive rhythm. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='995570' first='Hailey' last='Napier'] is also back after splitting the setting duties last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Napier will have a number of hitters to set up. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='924311' first='Peyton' last='Hochstetler'] is back after finishing third on the team in kills last season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='815663' first='Lauren' last='Osborne'] gives the team an option in the middle with senior [player_tooltip player_id='944721' first='Kenley' last='Napier'] giving the team another option at the pins. A number of others could step forward such as senior right side hitters Jenna Sizemore and Avery Wilson. Junior Kennady Maggard could also have a role on the outside or at defensive specialist. Sophomore Sam Gay also saw a good bit of varsity action at middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team plays in the Summer Slam at Whitley County the next couple days continuing preseason scrimmages.</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":["815663"],"_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-6a3065e3c2d63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Osborne (pictured) has the size to give the Eagles a consistent threat in the front row this season. Osborne does a good job placing balls. Osborne shoves balls to the sides of front row blockers for big points. She can also shove balls off blocks and send them toward corners. Osborne also does a good job putting overpassed balls away from opponents. Osborne said she's been working on improving her arm swing during the preseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["924311"],"_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-6a3065e3c2da4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hochstetler sees the court and makes good decisions on where to send balls. She can send off shots toward corners and tip over blockers. Hochstetler also sends across tough crosses. Hockstetler gets on top of balls and puts good power into them with a quick arm swing. Hockstetler has also developed a powerful serve. Hochstetler said she's been trying to diversify her hitting in the preseason, creating more things for opponents to look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944721"],"_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-6a3065e3c2dcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Napier mainly took on a defensive role last year for Leslie County, but could take some more swings this fall as she's done in the past. Napier has taken good swings when asked. Napier hustles hard after balls and tries to keep her feet squared toward the target. Napier is not afraid to dive after balls to keep plays alive and has developed a nice line drive serve. Napier agreed she's trying to become quicker in the back row and improve her ball control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["995570"],"_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-6a3065e3c2dee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Napier brings back great experience at setter and defensive specialist. She runs the offense with efficiency and her touches have improved. She has good range allowing her to close seams quickly and keep plays alive. Napier reacts quickly on defense, making the routine passes. Improved ball control is a good next step for Napier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from 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 -->