Six More Sound Playmakers from Putnam Play Day at Upperman

Some teams came in the morning and stayed all day while others did not play until the afternoon. Regardless, a number of players such as these six found ways to improve throughout the day at Upperman on Saturday.    Stebing (pictured) is productive at all six spots on the court. She takes serious approaches during warmups and they carry over into games. Stebing gets on top of balls pounds balls to different zones on the court. She tips over blocks and sends back row shots to deep corners making opponents cover every square inch of their side of the court. Stebing has a sound vertical jump forcing balls high and wide. Stebing has nice spin on her jump serves and does a good job encouraging her teammates. Stebing does need some work on her accuracy with some swings and her serving, but that will improve because she is coachable.     Hammons' dedication to sound defense shows on the court. She has great footwork to take minimal steps to balls and form walls around them. Hammons does a great job bouncing back and learning from mistakes. Hammons is also very energetic on the court.     Mason provides the Champions with nice net defense. Mason has sound form and is very aggressive on blocks. Mason teams up well with teammates to form great double blocks. She also does a good job placing overpassed balls away from opponents. Her energy on the court does not go unnoticed.     Martin can make big plays when needed for the Wildcats. Martin slows down enough to put off shots in holes on the court. She takes solid swings from the back row and sends free balls over with a purpose. Martin makes a lot of things happen both in and out of system.     The Owls have a scrappy bunch and Skelton more than defines that. She produces at all six spots on the court starting with clean first touches. She rips balls down the lines and adjusts in the air to shove balls to the side lines. Skelton rises up in big moments. Skelton takes hard rips into seams from the back row forcing opponents to move their feet. Her leadership could be another key if Smith County hopes to move into more uncharted territory this fall.     Harris has a quick arm swing and does a great job getting on top of balls to put great power into them. She makes crisp first touches in the back row, taking minimal steps to track them down. Harris can back up quickly on balls hit over her head and moves up to get to tips trying to jumpstart Coffee County Central's offensive rhythm. She does need work on her hitting accuracy, but that will come in time.    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.

Some teams came in the morning and stayed all day while others did not play until the afternoon. Regardless, a number of players such as these six found ways to improve throughout the day at Upperman on Saturday.