Bourbon County at Wolfe County non-region battle takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams started off the season with region wins Monday. Initially, the 10th Region's upstart Bourbon County Colonels scheduled another region game, but wound up taking the trip to the mountains to face the 14th Region dark horse Wolfe County Wolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County (2-0 overall) wound up making the trip back west on the Mountain Parkway with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-16) victory over the Wolves. The first two sets could have gone either way as Wolfe County led 23-21 in the first set and 22-18 in the second set, but Bourbon County scored four straight to win the first set then finished the second set with another four in a row to take both of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County rode that momentum into the third set. The Colonels jumped out to a 5-1 lead and did not let it slip away. Both senior liberos in [player_tooltip player_id='757907' first='Izzy' last='Jett'] for Bourbon County and [player_tooltip player_id='603773' first='Grace' last='Ponce'] for Wolfe County tried to lead the way on first contacts. Both had nice games. However, the Colonels had better balance there with nine different players recording at least one dig compared to four for the hosts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both setters in Bourbon County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='879769' first='Kinley' last='Kearns'] and Wolfe County senior [player_tooltip player_id='987364' first='Lauren' last='Moore'] then tried to set up the hitters with precision. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='930503' first='Gia' last='Griffin'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='612107' first='Katie' last='Abner'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='879766' first='Hayli' last='Burberry'] led te Colonels with seven different players including Kearns and junior [player_tooltip player_id='960438' first='Maggie' last='Justice'] getting in on the act for the Colonels. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='960435' first='Hailey' last='Stanfield'] is out for the season with an injury, but other hitters are stepping forward for Bourbon County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='781599' first='Emily' last='Stephens'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='781499' first='Madeline' last='Howard'] gave the Wolves great swings, but Bourbon County got Wolfe County out of rhythm consistently trying to hit away from Ponce. Jett and Kearns had fantastic serving days for Bourbon County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We're focused on picking (opponents) apart with our serves, just trying to get thrown off and out of system," Bourbon County head coach Lauren Eads said. "We try not to serve the libero. We try to find the weak passers to see if we can get those teams starting in out of system. Their libero (Ponce) is incredible. She digs everything. When the outside (Stephens) gets a big set, she's going to put it down. We had to adjust to shut her down and we did."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon hosts Nicholas County in the first home game of the season Thursday and Wolfe County also returns to action Thursday at home against Somerser Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unofficial Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781599' first='Emily' last='Stephens']. Wolfe County - 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612107' first='Katie' last='Abner'], Bourbon County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781499' first='Madeline' last='Howard'], Wolfe County - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='930503' first='Gia' last='Griffin'], Bourbon County - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='879766' first='Hayli' last='Burberry'], Bourbon County - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='987364' first='Lauren' last='Moore'], Wolfe County - 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='879769' first='Kinley' last='Kearns'], Bourbon County - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='757907' first='Izzy' last='Jett'], Bourbon County - 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603773' first='Grace' last='Ponce'], Wolfe County - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603771' first='Madison' last='Deshon'], Wolfe County - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abner - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jett - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ponce - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshon - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearns - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='960438' first='Maggie' last='Justice'], Bourbon County - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abner - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffin - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abner - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["879769"],"_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-6a867a7427d6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kearns deserves a lot of credit for her experience running the offense. She reads the net well and tries to set balls away from double blocks. Kearns puts a lot of sets on target to hitters can take good swipes at them. Her touch has aiso improved from last season. Kearns can also take swings on the outside. She had some quality out of system swings. Kearns also dazzled some with her serves. She got the Colonels started off strong out of the gate in the final set with two hard aces. Kearns said the team works really well together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["757907"],"_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":1020965,"_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-6a867a7427dfd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jett flew all over the court in the back row doing what she could to extend plays under control. She will lay out if needed, but does mainly make the simple two to three-point passes to help get Bourbon County into a great offensive rhythm. Jett can take good roll shots if the team is out of system. The lefty put over hard sizzling jump serves that threw off the Wolves. Jett had a huge one at the end of the second set to put the Colonels up 24-23 before Bourbon County won it when Wolfe County made a bad pass. Jett agreed ball control on first contacts is vital and she said the key is reading angles off the hitters' arms then focus on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930503"],"_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":1020971,"_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-6a867baf2971c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin sets a good tone at the net with her blocking and hitting. She reads hitters well and aggressively goes after balls. She stuff blocked several balls in the win and built excitement on the visiting sidelines. Griffin also does a good job mixing in hard and soft swings. She does not hesitate to tip balls over double blocks if defensive specialists are playing back. Her development has come a long way. Griffin said sound blocking is a matter of adjusting and moving toward the hitters and big blocks boost a team's energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612107"],"_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":1020972,"_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-6a867d4eeb950"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abner does not hesitate to take initiative on the court. She calls for balls and puts them down consistently when Bourbon County needs a big point. Abner executed ones really well, depositing them to different parts of the court. Abner has a high attack point and Kearns consistently hits the jackpot there. Abner also made some big digs in the back row. She steps to balls, plants her feet then keeps her arms above her waist to make those crisp passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603773"],"_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":1020975,"_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-6a867f60da1ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ponce has turned into the on-court leader the Wolves like to see. She leads with her play and is vocal. Ponce encourages her teammates whether the Wolves win the point or not. Ponce is consistent on defense and serve reception. She forms walls around balls to make those smooth passes and gives great effort going after balls if there is a possibility she can reach them and keep plays alive. Ponce also makes a lot happen with her serving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["987364"],"_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":1020976,"_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-6a867f60da205"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore has stepped into the setter role and contributed in big ways. She sets up hitters with nice spacing away from the net and provides nice net backup. Moore does an outstanding job finding the hot hitters and putting balls on target. Moore also made some nice first touches on defense and serve receive in the game.</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 -->