Whitley County captures Varsity B Bluegrass Games Gold Crown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final games of the annual Bluegrass Games took place all over Lexington on Sunday in the first year varsity divided into three classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The B Division finals took place at Bryan Station. The Whitley County Colonels had not been challenged until the first round of gold as Oldham County took the first game 21-17 before Whitley County responded winning the next two by 21-18, 15-11 scores. Whitley County knocked off upstart Somerset and Trinity Christian from the 12th Region in the next two rounds before running into Frederick Douglass in the title game. The Broncos had not lost a set in the other eight games leading into the title game and took the first set, 21-12. They did a good job digging up balls then letting their experienced hitters pound balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, Whitley County came alive led by senior standout outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] and the Colonels won the next sets by 21-14, 15-8 scores. Isaac, sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] and freshman middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] played on the top K2 teams during club season and their experience in the Open Division showed throughout the tournament. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] did a great job directing the offense with twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] and freshman middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'] also took nice swings and helped control the net. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='925024' first='Lauren' last='Siler'] helped out on defense and could continue to be crucial there until senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frederick Douglass showed it is an 11th Region contender even after the graduation of six seniors primarily in the back row. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='776638' first='Shelby' last='Mays'] has stepped into a bigger role with junior [player_tooltip player_id='611969' first='Jordan' last='McCrary'] taking advantage of numerous hitting options. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='535191' first='Urijah' last='Holman-Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='918929' first='Daleigh' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='804730' first='Ava' last='Henderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='779983' first='Lyla' last='McMillen'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='890370' first='Maryn' last='Dunham'] took nice swings throughout the tournament and senior Braylen Fields gave the Broncos nice defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of players on the 12 teams that made the gold finals out of 70 teams had great performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917370"],"_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":1013921,"_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-6a7002da02a38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mills (pictured) is gaining confidence with each block and swing she takes in the front row. She's learning how to control the net. Mills has great form and aggressively goes after balls. Mills blocked a number of strong hitters throughout the tournament. She puts overpassed balls down with authority. She's tough on ones and mixes in tips over blocks to keep opponents guessing. Mills focuses mainly on blocking to help out the back row and is working on become a better offensive option to take blockers away from the other hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603768"],"_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":1013950,"_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-6a700421e798a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice continually sets the tone for the Whitley County offense. Rice does a good job finding the hot hitters and making sure not to set into double blocks. Rice is on page with the hitters consistently setting them at their peaks and even setting back row when needed. She mixes in deceptive set-overs. When two hitters come toward the net, you generally do not know where the ball is going until the last second as she trusts both to terminate balls. Rice also makes a lot of good contributions on defense and serving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611969"],"_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":1013932,"_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-6a7005bad7604"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCrary has had great coaches and mentors over the years and those lessons are paying off as she takes on the main setter role for the Broncos. McCrary consistently puts balls in power zones. She executes both long and short sets with nice touches. McCrary mixes in a nice set-over and executes a solid jump float serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["774766"],"_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":1013947,"_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-6a7005bad771f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bayless took a number of sound swings for the Titans. She makes a number of plays from the back row. Bayless gets on top of balls and puts great power into them. She does a great job painting lines. The work she's done developing her strength showed throughout the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["955942"],"_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":1013952,"_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-6a7007844a1e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ragland gives the Titans a great option on opposite side. The lefty has such great power and contol she draws blockers away from teammates. She puts balls across with tough angles. Ragland makes things happen out of system. Ragland has developed nice roll shots.</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 -->