Division II, Class AA, East Region Preview

This region saw two teams make it to the Division II-AA state semifinals last season. However, neither Baylor Christian nor Knoxville Catholic could take down state power Briarcrest Christian or even Christian Presbyterian Academy to bring home the gold.   Each team in the region has a state championship to the credit minus Chattanooga Christian. However, the region members are reloading for another one at run hoping to do it this season. The last state crown from the region came in 2021 when Knoxville Catholic won its last title in Division II-AA.   Baylor School Red Raiders   Baylor returns a good bit of experience under veteran head coach Sarah Lail. Lail said the Red Raiders have a nice mix of experienced and young talent, with some new faces. Lail said it's a matter of getting everyone on the same page and working together to sustain the success Baylor has enjoyed over the years.   Things start in the back with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='803328' first='Rory' last='Oleksik'], senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='792485' first='Brenna' last='Bagley'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='791714' first='Nina' last='Lail']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='947494' first='Milyn' last='Hold'] is back to run the offense after leading the team in assists last year. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='947505' first='Kenzie' last='Johnson'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='947119' first='Fergie' last='Hammel'] return after sound seasons on the outside with junior [player_tooltip player_id='959560' first='Molly' last='Billington'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='820636' first='Willa' last='Provonsha'] giving the Red Raiders power in the middle. Billington also takes quality swings from the pins.   Bayloar also saw two key transfers come in from Signal Mountain. They are sophomore middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='947506' first='Gabby' last='Minton'] and sophomore right side/setter [player_tooltip player_id='947504' first='Taylor' last='Warren'].   Baylor travels to Soddy Daisy on Aug. 18 to start the season.   Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish   The versatile [player_tooltip player_id='845986' first='Mia' last='Kinney'] hopes to help lead the Fighting Irish back to Murfreesboro. She is a sound all-around player, but will focus on defensive specialist at Vanderbilt.   The Fighting Irish received a boost when junior outside/middle hitter Brooklyn Brown transferred in from Concord Christian. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='947164' first='Channing' last='Hurley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='947165' first='Olivia' last='Mikels'] are back to set up the hitters. Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='947166' first='Addalyn' last='Neal'] and senior right side [player_tooltip player_id='947162' first='Emma' last='Glandon'] are also back after recording triple-digit kill totals last year. Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='947167' first='Lillian' last='Geiver'] could also add to the balanced Knoxville Catholic attack.   Head Coach Brent Carter said the Fighting Irish took a big step last year and the players are hungry, knowing they can compete with any team in the state. Carter said Knoxville Catholic may never be the biggest or most physical team, so he said it is imperative they are the best serve and pass team, who is relentless on defense.   Knoxville Catholic opens the season with two games on Aug. 17 against Maryville and Alcoa.   Girls Preparatory School Bruisers   Steve Nicola takes over a program that made it to the Division II-AA first round last season and returns some top-notch talent. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='511279' first='Cat' last='Nygaard'] brings back smooth first touches with senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='575276' first='Sophia' last='Rose Jenkins'] quarterbacking the offense. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='958170' first='Catie' last='Nicola'] is the team's top returning hitter. Senior outside hitter Sophia O'Keefe and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='791658' first='Morgan' last='Moore'] also return.   Coach Nicola noted the Bruisers have seven seniors. He listed keys to success as being able to spread out the offense, attacking from the service line and blocking. Coach Nicola added it should be a fun team to watch this year.   Webb School of Knoxville Spartans   The Spartans may have had their struggles last season, but they have big reasons for optimism this season. They were young in key spots last year so the hope is those lumps turn into dividends this year.   All-around sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='831434' first='Denice' last='Gaston'] is back after a nice club season on defense and the outside. Sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='964620' first='Isla' last='Adams'] is back to quarterback the offense with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='960381' first='Arabella' last='Keith'] and Anastasia Moore hoping to help the Spartans control the net in the middle. Head coach Nicklin Hames-Hickman said two transfers in Reese Wilson and Shelly Spencer along with eighth grade Kate Jenkins are looking to help propel Webb forward this year.   Hickman listed getting Keith and Moore plenty of swings will be the team's biggest key to success this year. She also listed winning the serve and pass game consistently will go a long way to helping the team reach goals this year.   Webb takes on Maryville and Alcoa on Aug. 17 to start the season.   Chattanooga Christian Chargers   A new era starts this season with Joanna Ehman taking over the program. She welcomes back several talented players back in senior outside hitter/setter [player_tooltip player_id='839287' first='Tressie' last='Hamrick'], senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='830698' first='Caitlin' last='Gibbs'], sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1000882' first='Leah' last='Rodewald'] and freshman all-around [player_tooltip player_id='960675' first='Zoe' last='Paty'].     Notable Players    Jenkins (pictured) puts astounding touches on her sets. Her short sets on gap shots and ones are quick and on target, allowing hitters to rise up and pound balls before double blocks can form. Jenkins can execute shoots with outstanding timing as well. Jenkins makes the most out of first touches, even sending back sets to opposite hitters to where they can smack across nice down balls. Jenkins uses her sound court IQ to make good decisions, setting balls away from double blocks. Her disciplined footwork also helps out with the good touches on the sets. Jenkins throws off opponents with back taps to open shallow spots near side lines on second touches. When out of system, Jenkins sends balls back toward the net to put hitters in good position to terminate balls. She also provides quality net backup, consistently making the simple passes.     Provonsha brings nice ball control to the table. She takes good steps toward the net and can shove balls to open shallow side lines. Provonsha catches defenses off guard using her off (left) hand to tip balls over blockers. She takes nice steps on swing blocks and can recover quickly when balls to off her arms on block attempts toward her feet. Provonsha tools blocks well and provides sound net play, at least getting hands on a number of balls to slow them down for defensive specialists. Provonsha also does a good job not rushing her shots, thus avoiding numerous hits into blocks.     Mikels brings back nice experience quarterbacking the offense for Knoxville Catholic. Mikels does a good job putting hitters in position to terminate balls. She involves a number of hitters. Mikels also hustles hard after balls. She makes a number of simple passes.     Gaston has great four-step approaches and times up her swings to angle balls to the floor or even tool blocks. Gaston makes a lot of things happen when she has the right spacing away from the net. Gaston attacks holes in double blocks and seams with precision. She can pound out solid line shots and crosses. Gaston makes quick transitions from defense to offense. Gaston jumpstarts the offensive rhythm with nice first touches on defense and serve reception.     Paty gives the Chargers sound all-around play. Paty takes minimal steps to balls, forms walls around them then jumpstarts the offensive flow. Paty dives out of necessity, yet remains under control. Paty then takes nice swings. She tools blocks and sends across sound line drive serves. Paty will continue to improve with her work ethic.    Note from 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. 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> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> 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. 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This region saw two teams make it to the Division II-AA state semifinals last season. However, neither Baylor Christian nor Knoxville Catholic could take down state power Briarcrest Christian or even Christian Presbyterian Academy to bring home the gold.