13th Region Preview: Whitley County solidifies five-peat bid

For the second straight year, the reigning 13th Region Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year is putting on the Whitley County Colonels uniform after playing at another region school, therefore solidifying the chances of a five-peat for the region crown.   Whitley County saw sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] transfer over from rival Corbin in the off-season one year after senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] also transferred in. Carroll played on the same 15-1 Elite team as freshman middle [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett']. Two freshman in setter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='925024' first='Lauren' last='Siler'] and Avery Wilson also played on a K2 team in the spring.   Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] returns to run the offense and senior defensive specialist/libero [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] returns to help with first touches. Rice has a number of powerful hitters to set such as senior twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'] on the outside and [player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] at right side/defensive specialist along with sophomore middle/outside [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'].   Head coach David Halcomb said the Colonels have good team chemistry and is very versatile so they challenge one another. Halcomb added he has put together the toughest schedule during his tenure starting Tuesday at West Jessamine.   50th District   Corbin Redhounds (26-14)   Corbin has reloaded at another potential title run after finishing runner-up the previous four years with the graduation of two seniors. The Redhounds have been to 14 straight region championships last winning the last of five in a row in 2021.   Freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='890925' first='Harper' last='Newcomb'] is back along with several talented hitters starting in the middle with two seniors 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'] along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='890400' first='Annabelle' last='Griffin']. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='897255' first='Tatum' last='Strain'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='915757' first='Izzy' last='Evans'] lead the way on defense. Junior Lucy Jo Linville, a North Laurel transfer, could also provide a nice boost.   Head coach Krystal Jones said the excitement with the opening of the auxiliary gym in town is there now that they've been able to get in and make it feel like home. Jones said it's brought an added sense of pride to the players knowing they're the first group to play in it.   Corbin travels to Madison Southern on Aug. 20 to start the season.   Williamsburg Jackets (20-15)   Marissa Douglas takes over a sound program trying to find a way to break through in a rugged district.   The Jackets graduated two seniors off last year's team. Sophomore setter/right side hitter Magomery Douglas, freshman middle blocker Zimrie Housekeeper along with three seniors in 5-11 middle Kinley McNew along with pin hitters Braeleigh McCullah and Braylee McEvans.   Douglas said she believes the program is where it needs to be. She said the returning players have displayed nice growth that is competitive, talented and determined. Douglas said they are gaining skills and strength daily and she's excited to see where things go this season.   Williamsburg hosts McCreary Central on Aug. 18 to begin the year.   South Laurel Cardinals (13-19)   South Laurel has been at the top of the region in the past and Billy Ball takes over hoping to lead the Cardinals back there. They last made the region tournament in 2019.   Ball said the team is young and Ball was not able to practice with them in May or June as the result of the coaching change. Ball said the goal is to improve daily with more reps in practice. He said he believes the team can be decent, but the district is really tough. He's aiming to be competitive on a nightly basis.   Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='798354' first='Samantha' last='Gay'], Skye Lawson and junior [player_tooltip player_id='799745' first='Victoria' last='Queen'] lead the way on defense and the new setter is eighth grader Mira Alsip is the new setter. Sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='833391' first='Josilynn' last='Sullivan'] returns after leading the team in kills with two seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='770974' first='Layla' last='Comley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816404' first='Madelyn' last='Willoughby'] aim to give the Cardinals balance at outside and right side, respectively. Freshmen Kenzie Fannin and Ally Combs hope to give the team sound outside swings with junior Olivia Tibbs doing the same in the middle. Lawson also has some outside hitter.   South Laurel opens the season against North Laurel on Aug. 18.   51st District   Knox Central Panthers (15-14)   The Panthers won their first district championship since 2022 last season and graduated just one senior off that team.   Erin Salyers received a promotion to the head coach spot and has a nice core group returning in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='535274' first='Kennadi' last='Jones'] at the middle and outside, [player_tooltip player_id='915781' first='Amelia' last='Ledford'] at defensive specialist and junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='612187' first='Blakely' last='Castle']. Salyers also said to watch out for three freshmen in right side Rayni Reeves, six-rotation outside Charis Frederick and middle blocker Ava Brown.   Salyers said Jones, Ledford and Castle lead in different ways. Salyers added those three combined with the young players gaining varsity experience brings a great combination of leadership, competitiveness and athleticism to give the program a great opportunity to build on the district championship and help the program continue to take steps forward.   Knox Central hosts Harlan on Monday.   Pineville Lions (12-14)   Pineville missed out on the region tournament not having the size it enjoyed during the district championship seasons of 2023 and 2024.   The Lions graduated eight seniors but have had some transfers that could help in senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='484290' first='Lexie' last='Brown'] from Bell County and middle blocker Payshaunce Wynn from Harlan. Senior Ciela Amaya will set coming out for volleyball for the first time since moving down from Mason, Michigan after her sophomore season. The three big returning players are two juniors in middle [player_tooltip player_id='608900' first='Jaycee' last='Caldwell'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='752963' first='Brynlee' last='Sizemore'] along with sophomore middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='900803' first='Braelyn' last='Fain']. Senior Rayonna Maidon could also help at middle blocker.   Veteran head coach Sam North said she likes the team chemistry so far. North added the team has so much talent and drive that the sky is really the limit for the group.   Pineville hosts North Laurel on Monday.   Barbourville Tigers (16-18)   Bryanna Strunk, a 2015 Southwestern graduate and former Union College player, has guided the Tigers to consecutive region tournament appearances.   Strunk welcomes back a team with seven seniors this season after four graduated off last year's team. Strunk said she has good height at the net with a 6-0 senior right side Carley Clark. Strunk said Clark or the other right side in Alex Urton will always be in the front row. Strunk added the team is honed in on blocking and she prides herself on good serving.   The Tigers return three starters in junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='612256' first='Addi' last='Evans'], senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='1006407' first='Alina' last='James'] and senior outside hitter Aubrey Richardson. Junior middle blocker Lauren Messer also hopes to help Barbourville control the net.   Barbourville hosts Williamsburg on Aug. 17 to start the season.   Lynn Camp Wildcats (0-20)   Lynn Camp has been in contention for district championships in the past, but suffered through a winless season with three seniors. The leading returning players are senior Izabella Hart and freshman Brissa Mirukaj.   The Wildcats host Berea on Aug. 17 to start the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/AshlynnWilliamson.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-755808" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chrissie Brassfield</figcaption></figure>   51st District   Harlan County Black Bears (18-14)   The Black Bears have won the last two district championships and appeared in three straight region semifinals. However, Harlan County graduated five key players and has a new head coach in former basketball player Alex Sergent. Senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='603869' first='Madi' last='Nolan'] and junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='612091' first='Ashlynn' last='Williamson'] are two key returning players. Senior Abigail Blackburn is another returning starter at defensive specialist.   Harlan County will be tested out of the game with a home game on Aug. 17 against Leslie County.   Bell County Bobcats (26-12)   The Bobcats graduated two seniors, but one was 6-3 middle blocker Kairi Lamb. Then another key player transferred so the Bobcats lost 80 percent ot the offense from last year. Head coach Shawn Fultz welcomes back senior right side [player_tooltip player_id='948266' first='Adyson' last='Scott'], senior setter Reece Jasick and junior outside/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='915776' first='Emma' last='Winkler']. Fultz said the team is looking for players to fill in those key roles.   Bell County hosts Jellico (Tennessee) on Aug. 17.   Middlesboro Jackets (8-15)   Middlesboro's win total doubled from the previous season. The Jackets return two solid outsides in senior [player_tooltip player_id='603672' first='Maleah' last='Crenshaw'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='935292' first='Lilah' last='Russell'] along with senior setter Julia Ramirez and sophomore Mylee Huddleston.   Middlesboro takes on J. Frank White Academy on Aug. 19.   Harlan Dragons (6-25)   Harlan endured some struggles last year mainly because of inexperience. The team had no seniors and graduated four starters from the previous season. Senior setter Gracie Hensley and sophomore defensive specialist Shaedyn Crow are back along with two experienced young defensive specialists in freshman Cheyanne Childers and eighth grader Bryleigh Ward.   The Dragons host Knox Central on Aug. 17.   49th District   North Laurel Jaguars (10-14)   The Jaguars have won four straight district championships, but everyone is receiving a fresh start under new head coach Angela Singleton. She said the preseason focuses have been communication and working on running a faster offense. The hope is to come up with a sound lineup as early as possible.   North Laurel travels to Pineville on Monday.   Clay County Tigers (13-19)   The Tigers improved their win total by an impressive 11 wins from 2024 and hope to continue the upward trend under Kendall Deaton's guidance.   Senior middle/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='816492' first='Madison' last='Pendland'] and senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='812108' first='Cambria' last='Forman'] are back. Deaton also said to watch out for three sophomores in libero Blakely Hooker, setter Abigail Garrard and outside hitter Roberta Sizemore.   Deaton said the team has taken the responsibility with building the culture by taking every workout and practice seriously. She applauds the plaeyrs for cheering each other on, holding each other accountable and being there for each other on and off the court. Deaton added they've become more like a family in the summer and the season motto is, "One goal in mind" to keep them focused on their purpose with each move the team makes on and off the court.   Clay County hosts Jackson County on Aug. 17.   Jackson County Generals (8-15)   Jackson County did not have any seniors on the team last year and the Generals took their lumps. They hope to move up under new head coach Lily Davis. The key returning players are senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='535261' first='Kenzie' last='Hobbs'] and two junior outsides in [player_tooltip player_id='986802' first='Clara' last='Tincher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='988488' first='Hadassah' last='Newman']. Both setters in senior Kylie Moore and junior Kara Harris also return.   The Generals travel to Clay County on Aug. 17.   Oneida Baptist Mountaineers (7-18)   The Mountaineers may have struggled last year, but do return senior middle Bailey Bristow. Both setters in senior [player_tooltip player_id='603797' first='Payton' last='Hargis'] and sophomore Sophia Grace Silva also return.   Oneida Baptist travels to Lynn Camp on Aug. 18.   Red Bird Cardinals (5-13)   Red Bird fielded a young team last year with just one senior and no juniors. Their top returning stat leader is sophomore middle Alexis Akers.   Red Bird travels to Oneida Baptist on Aug. 21.   Players to Watch    Isaac is not afraid of big moments. When the Colonels need a big play, Isaac goes up whether in the front or back row and takes powerful swings. She inspires her teammates to rise up and also take big swings and Isaac even said the upperclassmen get fired up when the younger players make plays. Isaac's experience playing in Open Division in club at both KIVA and K2 has helped her teammates also take their play to higher levels. Issac smokes balls with an impressive downward trajectory. She also sends across solid crosses and puts down overpasses with authority. Issac also makes sound first contacts.     Newcomb (top photo) took some nice leaps leading the offense during club season. She consistently makes good decisions where to put balls and will once again have plenty of options this fall. She does a good job not locking her arms and putting balls to high attack points so hitters can put down balls over blocks. She is not afraid to hop on sets to hit higher targets. Newcomb's defense is also valuable for the Redhounds. Newcomb reads hitters and does a good job beating balls to their destination on the floor. She is in for another exciting season with her dedication.     Caldwell is back to record another huge season for the Lions. She makes things happen all over the net and can also play sound defense. Her role could change on a game-by-game basis as the result of her versatility. She has nice form on her blocks. She can pull blockers away from teammates with her presence.     Williamson (bottom photo) brings multi-season varsity experience into the season for the Black Bears. She steps to balls and makes crisp first touches. Williamson has shown she can handle well-struck balls from solid hitters. She steps back to make nice overhead passes and will stick out an arm to make move saves. Her ball control could still use some work, but it has come around.     Pendland makes things happen at the net and on defense. She provides good net backup and makes precise passes. Pendland takes sound swings when she has proper spacing away from the net. Pendland wins jousts and shoves balls to open areas of the court when she can't send down balls across the net.    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. 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For the second straight year, the reigning 13th Region Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year is putting on the Whitley County Colonels uniform after playing at another region school, therefore solidifying the chances of a five-peat for the region crown.