Six Notables from Putnam Play Day at Upperman

A total of 22 teams mostly from the Cumberland Plateau descended upon Upperman High and Middle Schools for at least four scrimmage games on Saturday. Teams played two sets to 25 points before letting the junior varsity teams take the courts. Some known names had big days while others emerged. These six hope to continue to make their presences felt throughout the season.    Bush (pictured) might be asked to carry a huge load for certain teams even as a sophomore. However, that's not the case playing for the loaded Upperman team. She gets a lot of one-on-one opportunities at the net and draws blockers away from teammates as the result of that balance. Bush smacks balls hard from the front and back rows and is very coachable. She hustles hard after balls on defense and paints lines with her jump serve.     Sells makes plays to control the net for the Warriors. Sells puts over sound line hits and crosses. Sells gets on top of balls to put great power into them and tools blocks. Sells uses her off (left) hand to tip balls to shallow three zones and puts over sound jump serves. Her progress will be something to watch as the season unfolds.     Klingler makes plays at all six rotations for the Purple Tigers. She hustles hard after balls and the lefty uses sharp angles on her swings to make things difficult for opponents. Klingler can tool shots. Klingler does not rush her shots and puts across sound roll shots. Klingler also displayed her effectiveness as a setter. She involved a number of hitters and tried to set balls away from double blocks.     Adkins made a lot of precise passes throughout the day. She can make sound out of system sets when needed. Adkins digs up balls near her, consistently getting CAK into a nice offensive rhythm. She has great range to track down balls and provides sound net backup.     Wright plays six rotations for Merrol Hyde, but not for club ball. She showed her versatility Saturday with nice court IQ. The lefty handles crosses defensively and stays within herself offensively. She shoves balls to open deep corners and tips to various spots on the court. Wright has a good wrist snap, sending crip cut shots to shallow two zones. Wright even takes swings from the back row and possesses great court communication.     Robinson did a great job on her vertical jump that she influenced a number of balls to go high and wide. Robinson moves her hands out to try to cut down balls aimed the sides of her block attermpts. She makes great adjustments on less than ideal sets to send down balls across the net. Robinson is also coachable.    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.

A total of 22 teams mostly from the Cumberland Plateau descended upon Upperman High and Middle Schools for at least four scrimmage games on Saturday. Teams played two sets to 25 points before letting the junior varsity teams take the courts. Some known names had big days while others emerged. These six hope to continue to make their presences felt throughout the season.