Apollo wins first Summer Slam in over 20 years, top gold players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Apollo E-Gals have won all 11 games so tar this season, coming in off a state quarterfinal appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apollo had not won the Summer Slam it hosts in more than 20 years. That changed Saturday as the E-Gals won all four games following two pool play wins Friday. The E-Gals lost a set to the Adair County Indians on Saturday morning in pool play after winning all four Friday, but won all six sets in the Gold Division on the home court to take home the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It is huge for us because this group has a mixture of experence and we have some younger players," Apollo head coach Mary Howard said. "We've been working so hard and now they're starting to believe how good we are. They look good in (practice). They just don't always have that confidence. I'm really proud of our ball control. We're able to run our offense. Most of our passes, we're getting them to the setter."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apollo started the gold round with a 2-0 (25-22, 25-22) win over the Meade County Wave in a rematch of last year's 3rd Region championship game. Apollo then had to knock off undefeated Muhlenberg County, 2-0 (25-17, 25-18) in the semifinals before beating Evansville Christian, 2-0 (25-19, 26-24). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warren East pulled off a huge 2-1 (12-25, 25-21, 15-11) win over Clarksville in the gold quarterfinals before losing to Evansville Christian in three. However, the Raiders came back to beat Muhlenberg County, 2-0 (25-19, 25-23) in the third place game. The Mustangs had beaten South Warren to make it to the gold semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five players put up good numbers to help their teams make it to the gold semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827770"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1036829,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a94d6f7a44a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Denson (pictured) played a big role in helping the E-Gals control the net in every game Saturday, especially the championship game against Evansville Christian. Denson reads hitters well and aggressively goes after balls at the net. Denson works well with teammates to form tough double blocks and also makes things happen offensively. Denson deposits ones to different areas of the court and tips balls to open shallow parts of the court when opponents are playing back for hard shots. Denson said it was important to stay strong even when trailing and things worked out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484301"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1036833,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a94d6f7a4517"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray is consistent all the way around. Gray puts over powerful crosses and line shots and is equally tough smoking balls from the back row. Gray adds in soft shots to the middle when defensive specialists are playing back. Descrbed as positive, confident and humble by teammates and close ones, Gray is a clear leader on the court staying even keel. Gray makes the simple passes on defense, providing nice net backup and only lunges out of necessity. She has solid ball control. Gray said it's still important to take aggressive swings even if balls are off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1036839,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a94d937f004a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wettstain makes quick transitions from defense to offense. Wettstain takes sound rips from both the front and back row. Wettstain can go up and shove balls to side lines. Wettstain said she's improved on defense and serve receive and it is showing on the court. She makes the simple passes from the back row and hustles after balls near her. Wettstain has a nice jump serve. Wettstain said she's also improved her versatility and mental toughness in addition to becoming a good teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774170"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1036851,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a94dc5fad832"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoffman has improved her touch on her sets helping the Raiders run a faster paced offense. Hoffman involves a number of hitters and mixes in setter dumps to keep opponents on their toes. She makes pancake digs and gets her hands on balls with her blocking. Hoffman tools blocks on the right side and delivers sound jump serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1036854,"_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-6a94ddefa0db0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brassell played a big role in Muhlenberg County's 15-0 start to the season. Brassell does a nice job directing the offense for the Mustangs. Brassell has a nice touch and does not lock her arms thus delivering crisp sets. She steps to balls on defense then follows through for crisp passes. Brassell delivers hard jump serves. Brassell showed she can land aces on tough liberos.</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 -->