Thoughts after witnessing Nolensville at Ensworth clash

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nolensville Knights have built a great program after the school opened in 2016 with four state championship and a runner-up finish in five state tournament appearances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are off to an 8-2 start after a 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-17) victory over the host Ensworth Tigers on Wednesday. That win snapped a modest two-game losing streak to state power Briarcrest Christian and district rival Franklin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville is a good example of the Next Player Up mentality with senior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='722187' first='Taylor' last='Collins'] out for the season with an injury. The Knights have seen their depth come forward to more than make up for her production from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='845688' first='Kamryn' last='Knox'], Josie Ladd and [player_tooltip player_id='806860' first='Natalie' last='Bane']. Younger hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='991125' first='Avery' last='Haynes'] and Avery Strandmark have even come in to aid the Knights there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bane also plays a big role defensively along with libero [player_tooltip player_id='808865' first='Kinley' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='808747' first='Jaycie' last='Stitt']. This allowed setters [player_tooltip player_id='946602' first='Sadie' last='Deming'] and [player_tooltip player_id='960587' first='Avery' last='Ethridge'] to run an efficient offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ensworth may be struggling again at 1-6, but the Tigers have some promise. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='964635' first='Sumner' last='Hanks'] had an outstanding club season and has carried a lot of those great work habits into the high school season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1006460' first='Promise' last='Sawyers'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='983803' first='Claire' last='Hale'] took some good swings and junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='997427' first='Brynn' last='Jackson'] is providing some nice leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville continues district play Thursday at Centennial and Ensworth travels to Pope John Paul II.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stat Leaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='845688' first='Kamryn' last='Knox'], Nolensville - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josie Ladd, Nolensville - 9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='806860' first='Natalie' last='Bane'], Nolensville - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='946602' first='Sadie' last='Deming'], Nolensville - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='960587' first='Avery' last='Ethridge'], Nolensville - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Digs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='806860' first='Natalie' last='Bane'], Nolensville - 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808865' first='Kinley' last='Clark'], Nolensville - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deming - 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808747' first='Jaycie' last='Stitt'], Nolensville - 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ladd - 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery Strandmark, Nolensville - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aces</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark - 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethridge - 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bane - 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":["806860"],"_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":1023279,"_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-6a90501c1f869"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bane (pictured) gives the Knights sound all-around play. Bane comes in off fakes and pounds hard crosses over the net. Bane can even paint side lines with those shots on go routes. Bane mixes in off shots from both pins. Bane also tools blocks and place down overpasses. Bane makes the simple passes and has a nice float serve. Bane does not hesitate to go after weak passers with her serves to give the Knights quick points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946602"],"_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":1023289,"_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-6a90501c1f8b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deming runs an efficient offense for the Knights. Deming has quick first touches, trying to involve a number of hitters in Nolensville's balanced offense. Deming does a good job sending out of system balls back toward the net so hitters can put over down balls. Deming makes a number of simple first touches and has developed a sound jump float serve. Deming kept Ensworth out of system with those serves. Deming said she's been trying to pick up her leadership along with the seniors and it's helping the younger players get comfortable on the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["808865"],"_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":1023290,"_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-6a90501c1f8db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark is displaying tremendous leadership on the court. She encourages her teammates and makes sure teammates are in the right positions. Clark lines her body up with balls and uses a great platform to make the simple two to three-point passes. Clark reads hitters well. She took away a good number of shots, including line shots. Clark said she likes to encourage younger back row players to go after everything and not let balls drop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["845688"],"_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":1023293,"_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-6a90501c1f901"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knox is a lefty that gives the Knights unique hitting angles at the opposite pin. Knox has a high attack point and can put crosses past double blocks with a nice downward trajectory. Knox mixes in tips to the side lines if they are open with defenders guarding against those crosses. Knox also tools blocks and sends quality off shots to the back row. Knox also gives the Knights quality blocking, slowing down balls for the back row at the minimum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["964635"],"_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":1023317,"_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-6a9051d20bdeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hanks has turned into a reliable six-rotation player for the Tigers. Hanks runs effective shoots and tools blocks. Hanks delivers solid out of system swings. Hanks landed some quality pipe plays, trying to separate herself from other hitters. Hanks continues to use her motor to keep plays alive for the Tigers. Her head coach agreed she needs to avoid hitting into blocks better, but that will come with her drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997427"],"_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":1023309,"_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-6a9053cf5cf69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson will not let her teammates get down on themselves. Jackson played for an AAU national championship team in the spring and is used to playing at a high level. She's carried that over to the spring and her teammates are catching onto it. Jackson takes minimal steps to balls and makes those solid two to three-point passes. Her experience facing tough hitters in practice shows on the court. Well-struck balls carom off her arms to setters like ping pong balls.</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 -->