Streak Extenders, Battlers in Rowan County at Ashland Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Notes: Do you want to get in front of Prep Dig Scouts? This is one big way to do it. The annual Kentucky Exposure Tour in Wilder is Nov. 28. Click on this link to register: </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky</a>.<em> For 25 percent off, type </em>ET26Mike25OFF<em> at checkout.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For as much as the talk may be about the offense for the Ashland Kittens, their defense has played just as much of a vital role in running the winning streak against 16th Region opponents to 33 in a row. It has not been just the net, but also first contacts for Ashland (22-3 overall). Led by one of the top freshmen liberos in the state in Mya Young, junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman'] and dominant 6-0 junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'], Ashland notched another region win, 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-23) at home over the Rowan County Valkyries. The Kittens made sure this meeting was not as close after Rowan County pushed the to the limit in a 3-2 win in Morehead on Sept. 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those three had plenty of help. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='941734' first='Emma' last='Marcum'], Sophie Phillips and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='998937' first='Emma' last='Hensley'] helped out with solid first contacts then sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1047068' first='Bristol' last='Clark'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='995530' first='Jocelyn' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='893930' first='Melanie' last='Kelley'] and even freshman Piper Compliment put some balls down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Defense is discipline. Teams don't like to play it. Discipline is doing the hard things you don't want to do," Ashland head coach Jason Clark said. "We've made a commitment to play a lot of defense, and we talk about how disciplined you have to be to do that. When we control the back line, we're really good up front."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan County (24-7) is still having another good season behind senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains']. Three juniors in libero [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'], outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May']. The likes of Raylee Withrow, Jazmin Rodriguez, Madolyn Wagoner and Trinity Leon have filled in some important roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan County hosts Bath County on Thursday. Ashland plays Corbin and Adair County in a tri-match at Corbin on Saturday. These players played a role in extending the 16th Region streak or trying to break it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["998722"],"_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-6abc89c023ad3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young (pictured) brings great energy and excitement to the court with her relentless pursuit of balls under control. Young reads hitters well and tries to take away their strong spots. Young uses a great platform to make solid two to three-point passes. Her stellar footwork and athleticism has helped her develop great range. Young also makes sound out of system sets. Young said she watches film on various players and has worked on squaring her hips to targets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893930"],"_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-6abc8cb6505fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelley has developed a nice wrist snap and puts over nice line swings. Kelley tools blocks and attacks with seams with precision. Her improved arm swing has also helped her take harder swings. Her swings create space for teammates. Kelley also makes nice first touches on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781585"],"_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-6abc8cb650628"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcum destroys teams with her size and quick arm swing. She tools blocks and smashes ones to open side lines. Marcum uses a nice vertical jump to smack balls before double blocks form. Marcum can even pound quality shots to the back row if the openings present themselves. Marcum also tips balls to open spots if defensive specialists are playing back. Marcum also gets her hands on a number of balls in the front row. Teams can't go soft on her. Marcum said some players go over her so she's been working on her vertical jump to get even higher off the ground to defend more of those swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["786656"],"_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-6abc8cb65064a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lowman continues to run a smooth offense for the Kittens. Lowman executes a variety of long and short sets. She has a great connection with the hitters. Lowman involves a number of hitters to give the Kittens great balance from the middle and pins. Lowman also makes the simple plays on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1047068"],"_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-6abc8dce03897"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clark has gained great confidence with her strong lefty presence at the pins. Clark is developing a nice arm swing and does a good job tooling blocks. Clark sends across nice off shots to confuse opponents. Clark also gives a great effort on defense trying to keep plays alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535235"],"_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":1047073,"_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-6abc8ed861efe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mains lays everything on the court each time she takes it. Mains has a purpose each time she makes a first touch or takes a hard swing using an outstanding vertical jump. Mains pounds out hard crosses when Rowan County needs a big kill. Mains uses a heavy hand to pound balls from the middle and pins. Mains steps to balls and makes crisp two to three-point passes and even goes down to her knees to keep plays alive under control.</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 -->