6th Region Overview: Mercy continues stronghold on region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When talking about great programs in the Commonwealth, the Mercy Jaguars come to the forefront ranking third all-time with seven state championships with the last one coming in 2014. The Jaguars have only missed the state tournament one time in 1980 since the first one took place in 1979. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy finished 28-11 with another region championship and graduated six players off that team. However, the Jaguars ran into rival Assumption in the first round and lost 3-0 so they did not make it back to Winchester. The Jaguars though have reloaded for another run with great players learning. Veteran head coach Connie Hulsmeyer said this may be the most athletic team the Jaguars have fielded in a long time and the team chemistry on and off the court is good. Hulsmeyer brought Mercy 2019 graduate Emma Schurfranz-Bezdicek on the coaching staff this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars are led by the dynamic duo of junior outside [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and middle [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] gives the team balance at opposite and setter with senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='939013' first='Josie' last='Hans'], senior opposite [player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino'] and junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps'] giving the Jaguars great offensive balance. Phipps is taking some swings at the outside with her athleticism with senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='603781' first='Ellie' last='Sharpe'] along with sophomore pins [player_tooltip player_id='852131' first='Sydney' last='Kapfhammer'], [player_tooltip player_id='875914' first='Olivia' last='Jeffries'] and [player_tooltip player_id='910539' first='McKenna' last='Boyle'] hoping to make big impacts at some point. The setters are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'], [player_tooltip player_id='556153' first='Olivia' last='Duncan'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='790069' first='Payton' last='Secor']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] leads the Jaguars in digs and senior Payton Craddock also gives the Jaguars good play at defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy is 8-2 on the season folllowing a sound 3-0 home win over Notre Dame on Wednesday. The Jaguars also have wins over fellow Dominant Five members Sacred Heart and St. Henry on the season. The Jaguars travel to Whitefield Academy on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt East Chargers (21-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers advanced back to the region semifinals last season two years after taking Mercy to five sets in the region championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Wally Adams said the defensive mindset is one of the team's strengths, trying to create a desired offensive flow, including serve reception. Adams describes the players as a great group and has the relentless mentality to not let any balls fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East returns the top three hitters from last season in junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='612015' first='Juliana' last='Edwards'], senior middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='827204' first='Madilyn' last='Hider'] and Grace Varney. New setter in junior Grace Camryn can also set up a talented sophomore outside hitter in [player_tooltip player_id='1038462' first='Ariana' last='Sehic']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='948863' first='Aubrey' last='Brown'], juniors Addison Taylor, [player_tooltip player_id='612013' first='Sophie' last='Gorter'] and sophomore Maddie Sturgeon anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers have started off the season at an impressive 12-2 and travel to Southern on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitefield Academy Wildcats (16-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Life after Taylor Wathen has started 2-4. The Wildcats do return sophomore outside/middle [player_tooltip player_id='919042' first='Rhyan' last='Johnson'] and the leading returning defensive specialist is senior Anna Colyer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitefield Academy hosts Mercy on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fern Creek Tigers (15-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fern Creek returns an experienced group hoping to propel the team to a winning record. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='603779' first='Lanie' last='Breedlove'] is back wth senior middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='819975' first='Trinity' last='Neal'], senior pin [player_tooltip player_id='831244' first='Claire' last='Woolridge'] and junior pin [player_tooltip player_id='830568' first='Brooklyn' last='Ansert'] leading the team in kills. Freshman defensive specialist Kyleigh Craddock leads the team in digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fern Creek has started the season 5-3 and hosts the LKY Home School Saints on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeffersontown Chargers (4-23)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers graduated two seniors off last year's team. They saw senior 6-1 middle blocker Manuella Tala-Nya record 12 blocks and sophomore libero Kenidee Sandusky dig up 15 balls in a four-set loss to Pleasure Ridge Park to open the season. Jessica West is the team's new head coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers are 1-4 on the season and play at Whitefield Academy on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23rd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Bullitt Eagles (18-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have knocked on the door of the championship game for years, but have not been able to make it past the region semifinals. They've been to that round two years in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt graduated six seniors, but has seen other step forward such as senior Kenzie Gilmore and sophomore Maegan O'Neal in the setter spot. The leading returning hitter is junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='612200' first='Kass' last='Bodytko']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='713896' first='Emma' last='Wetzstein'] has given the Eagles production at outside hitter and defensive specialist. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='786209' first='Colleen' last='Mosby'] at middle/outside and Kaylee Manley at right side. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='793320' first='Diana' last='Hernandez'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='956273' first='Rachael' last='Williams'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='942939' first='Kynlee' last='Richardson'] hope to contribute at defensive specialist. Richardson could also set and Williams take swings from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt is 7-5 to start the season. The Eagles travel to Bullitt Central on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt Central Cougars (11-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William Davis has plenty of reasons for optimism entering his second season as head coach. Davis said the returning players took the offseason more seriously as a lot of players came out for open gym among other things, adding the buy-in is better. Davis can't say enough about how the returning players are trying to change the fortunes of the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior middle/outside [player_tooltip player_id='810501' first='Alayla' last='Allen'] and junior setter/outside [player_tooltip player_id='922999' first='Alivia' last='Reynolds'] lead the returning players. Three other key seniors are pin hitter Bailey Richards, middle blocker Natalie Hibbard and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='746564' first='Mackenzie' last='Lyon']. Junior outside/setter Addison Booth can do a bunch of different things with juniors Aubrey Rutledge and Raleigh Roberts handling things at defensive specialist. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='964551' first='Sophia' last='Moriarty'] plays defensive specialist and outside hitter. Junior Lyla Drake is a setter with junior Khloeiyh Blankenship playing middle and right side and Elocin Martin hitting from the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have started the season 4-2 and host North Bullitt on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Trojans (10-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans displayed improvement last season making it to double-digit victories. Their leading returning hitter is senior Solana Arias.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern hosts Bullitt East on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moore Mustangs (6-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have fielded a young team with three seniors and no juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore hosts Fern Creek on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":756350,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/KassBodytko-crop-1164x765-1741057734.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-756350" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rolling Hills Volleyball Club</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22nd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Butler Bearettes (12-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler has one of the top hitters in the state in senior outside hitter and Western Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='535286' first='Layla' last='Green']. They also return senior setter Tatum Sulzer and senior hitter Amiya Civils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler is 5-2 to start the season and plays at Doss on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iroquois Raiders (3-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois graduated eight seniors from last season. One was kills leader Sania Cash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois has gone 1-2 to start this season and hosts Western on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Western Warriors (1-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western had a young team last year with just three seniors and one junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their lone senior this year is Aubrianna Young and she's helped the Warriors equal last year's win total along with junior defensive specialist Mariah Well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western travels to Iroquois on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Doss Dragons (0-13)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons have lost 17 in a row dating back to 2024. They have a promising sophomore defensive specialist in Emma Traxler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doss plays at Butler on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21st District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Cross (Louisville) Cougars (27-11 last year)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with the super region format, Holy Cross made it back to the region championship game, but could not find a way to make it past Mercy. The Cougars last beat the Jaguars in 2011. Holy Cross also finished runner-up in the All "A" State Tournament last September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] starts things off with nice passes then senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] puts balls balls to several powerful hitters. Senior twin sisters in pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] and middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] led the team in kills last year with senior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] also taking big swings. Freshman right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1012642' first='Josie' last='Person'] has also emerged to give the Cougars balance. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='955752' first='Ella' last='Thompson'] has picked things up at defensive specialist and sophomore Kelsie Price could help after transferring over from Pleasure Ridge Park at middle and right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross head coach Danielle Wiegandt said the Cougars are a veteran team so they should be able to make various adjustments as needed. Wiegandt has coached the seniors since they were 10 and listed aggressive serving and strong passing as the team's foundation for success</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross is 8-3 to start the season and hosts Pleasure Ridge Park on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasure Ridge Park Panthers (14-13)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers had just one senior last season. The return of a lot of experience gives the Panthers hope to take steps forward. Their big returning players are sophomore setter Mia Brummett, senior defensive speciualist/right side hitter Aubrey Payne along with two defensive specialists in junior Brianna Wise and sophomore Ava Hood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are 2-3 on the season and travel to Holy Cross on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairdale Bulldogs (5-27)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his second season guiding the program, head coach Adam Carter said the Bulldogs have a lot more hustle and fight this year. Carter added they don't stop competing and can be very scrappy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='756946' first='Kyndal' last='Stallard'] leads the way on defense and junior [player_tooltip player_id='829332' first='Ally' last='Kaufman'] is back at setter. The leading hitters so far are senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='812161' first='Camryn' last='Sanders'], sophomore right side/middle Blina Kameri and sophomore Kylee Mullins. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='954265' first='Kyleigh' last='Salmon'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1005425' first='Kara' last='Wilson'] are key defensive specialists. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='811109' first='Arlinda' last='Kameri'] also hopes to make an impact at middle or outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairdale has started the season 3-7 and hosts Eastern on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley Vikings (8-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley saw four players graduate from last year's team. The Vikings return senior hitter Makenna Perry and sophomore defensive specialist Alyvia Tiryung.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings are 2-6 so far. They host Moore on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Fast Facts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions:</strong>&nbsp;53-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Region Crowns since 2003:&nbsp;</strong>Mercy with 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771907"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a99b95c157d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Jaguars have moved Phipps to the outside to take advantage of her athleticism. Mercy head coach Connie Hulsmeyer said Phipps will make an impact there once the connections with the setters become more consistent. Phipps (main picture) has a quick launch and quick arm swing. She also gets on top of balls to power them to the ground, especially on gaps and ones, all across the court. Phipps mixes in nice off shots and pushes overpassed balls away from opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1038462,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a99ce8a77846"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sehic takes her time on go routes to eye the court and send over nice off shots. Sehic makes plays from both pins. She does a great job tooling blocks and records sound line shots and crosses. Sehic's presence helps draw blockers away from teammates to give them better spacing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612200"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a99dd777c57c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bodytko (bottom picture) has turned into a sound swinger in the region. Bodytko tips over blocks and uses off (left) hand to tap balls away from opponents. Bodytko sends nice roll shots to the back row from the front and back rows. Bodytko sends over tough crosses and tools blocks. Bodytko makes quick transitions from defense to offense and turns back setter dumps. Bodytko records nice solo and double blocks and makes crisp first touches. Bodytko puts good topspin on her serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["812161"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a9a35be4a1c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanders uses a number of off shots to make things happen for the Bulldogs. Sanders tools blocks and sends nice roll shots to the back row. Sanders uses her off (left) hand to tip balls to shallow parts of the court. Sanders tips balls to the sides and puts balls in deep corners. She also makes a lot of things happen on back sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a9a3804cc699"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green can simply jump out of gyms. She explodes off the ground and pounds down balls to various parts of the court. Green has a high attack point and uses it to hit over and around blocks. Green does a good job mixing in softer shots to keep opponents guessing. Green also uses her size well to aggressively swat down balls on blocks.</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 -->