Five Playmakers to View from Division II, Class A, Middle Region

Same as the East Region, this region made saw two teams make it to the state semifinals. However, this region saw the Middle Tennessee Christian Cougars won their first state championship in program history. The other team to make it was the Battle Ground Academy Wildcats, who lost both games in that round.    Carver (pictured) has an amazing arm swing and Rhythm 15-1 Dasia took full advantage of it. Carver flies in and smokes balls over double blocks and into seams with a great downward trajectory. Carver makes quick transitions from defense to offense and puts across sound cut shots on out of system sets. Carver puts across hard down balls on pipe plays. She even paints back lines from the back three zones. Carver is fun to watch as her dedication to the game shows up constantly.     White is one of those players who does a lot of the small things that add up to big things. She backs up on attempted shoves to shallow two zones near lines and makes crisp first touches. White has sound form on her blocks and uses one hand to put away overpassed balls. On offense, White takes timely swings to put balls down.     Malone steps up in big moments and makes big plays for the Wildcats. Malone takes sound approaches and terminates balls from the middle and pins. Malone finds different ways to hit over and around blocks. She is not afraid to make the most of holes before they close off in tight spaces. Malone aims her body like she's doing a cross only to turn quickly in the air and send it to the one zone. Malone does not hit into blocks. She takes nice crosses and tips off blocks for big points.     Johnson gives the Panthers solid play all across the net. Johnson takes sharp cut shots away from blocks to the side lines. Johnson does a good job tooling blocks and tips balls to shallow three zones to keep defenses honest. Johnson can smacks balls and shove them to deep corners. She makes opponents guard every square inch of the court. Johnson should receive a number of one-on-one opportunities with sound hitters around her.     Montgomery does a good job taking her time and not rushing her shots with sound ball control. Montgomery takes back sets and hammers them through holes in double blocks and into seams. Montgomery is not afraid to mix in off shots to various zones all around the court. Montgomery also tools balls hard off blocks and out of bounds for huge points.    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. 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.

Same as the East Region, this region made saw two teams make it to the state semifinals. However, this region saw the Middle Tennessee Christian Cougars won their first state championship in program history. The other team to make it was the Battle Ground Academy Wildcats, who lost both games in that round.