Nice Playmakers in Huge Nolensville at Franklin District Battle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rugged Division I-AAA, District 10 has a new front runner so far in the Franklin Admirals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Admirals moved to 20-1 overall and 9-0 in district play with a 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18) victory. The Admirals trailed 8-2 to start the third set. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='751227' first='Maggie' last='Myhr'] led the way on defense with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='959931' first='Riley' last='Neese'] and Gracie Stoebner making plays in the back row so solid setter [player_tooltip player_id='939795' first='Emmy' last='Garner'] can set up the deeply talented Franklin hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='946580' first='Ellyson' last='Fogle'], [player_tooltip player_id='822945' first='Brynn' last='Pennington'], [player_tooltip player_id='826577' first='Jorden' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='946569' first='Grace' last='Caroline Steih'] and [player_tooltip player_id='961442' first='Clara' last='Leister'] took solid swings for the Admirals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I was proud of how the team bounced back and battled back. We definitely got into a little bit of a rut," Franklin head coach Makayla Beebe said. "But mentally, I thought we pushed through, which was great to see. Nolensville is a great team and I told the girls be confident, but never be comfortable. I think Nolensville is finally putting the pieces together. They're coached great and they definitely gave us a run for the money."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville (17-5, 5-3) has battled injuries throughout the season, but is making the most of younger players receiving playing time earlier than expected. [player_tooltip player_id='806860' first='Natalie' last='Bane'] is a nice all-around player with libero [player_tooltip player_id='808865' first='Kinley' last='Clark'] leading the way on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='808747' first='Jaycie' last='Stitt'] also made some nice saves. [player_tooltip player_id='946602' first='Sadie' last='Deming'] and [player_tooltip player_id='960587' first='Avery' last='Ethridge'] both take turns setting with [player_tooltip player_id='845688' first='Kamryn' last='Knox'], [player_tooltip player_id='1042185' first='Josie' last='Ladd'], Bane, Avery Strandmark and even [player_tooltip player_id='991125' first='Avery' last='Haynes'] taking nice swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams return to district action Thursday. Franklin travels to Ravenwood at 6 p.m. and Nolensville hosts Centennial at 5:30 p.m. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939795"],"_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":1042157,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaa113349a6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When balls hit Garner's hands, magical things happen. Garner is a smooth setter with her quick hands and great footwork. Garner executes a variety of long and short sets, including back sets. Garner does a great job reading defenses and making quick decisions. Garner makes the most of balls even if the Admirals are out of system. Garner mixes in a tough setter dump and puts across a tough float serve. Garner said the Admirals never give up or settle, going for it every play, every ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961442"],"_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":1042169,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaa14f3019cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leister (pictured) makes nice in-air adjustments to hit balls away from opponents at the pins. Leister tools blocks makes quality adjustments after opponents block her. She mixes in sound roll shots. Leister has good timing on her blocks. Opponents can't go soft on her. Leister credited her teammates for being near her to cover if she gets blocked and they do a good job calling out shots for her to take.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946569"],"_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":1042175,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaa15d9431f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steih comes in off fakes and pounds balls to the floor. Steih does not get frustrated when opponents block her, instead continuing to swing hard. Steih puts over sound crosses and takes good swings from the back row. Steih does a great job teaming up with teammates to form sound double blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1042178,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grace Stoebner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Franklin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaa16e67ba87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stoebner knows a number of balls will come away as teams try to hit away from liberos. Stoebner handles well-struck crosses and is sound at serve reception and defense. She does not try to do too much and brings positive energy to the court. Stoebner puts across tough jump serves, constantly going after struggling passers. Stoebner said she tries to make sure nothing hits the floor so that Garner can set up the talented Franklin hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1042185"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aaa194bab6c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ladd is making the most of things in the front row. Ladd has the size to dominate the net. Ladd forms solid double blocks and opponents can't go soft on her. She takes nice swings and mixes in soft shots to side lines. Ladd mixes in other good off shots. Ladd even sends free balls over with a purpose.</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 -->