Eight Division I-AAA State Teams, Eight Key Players from Each One

<!-- 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="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>This eight teams in this division have combined for six state championships. Oakland is the lone team to make its first appearance in the state tournament in program nistory with Arlington and defending champion Summit making it for the second time in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Franklin Rebels may come in as the favorite and they are battle-tested. Franklin overcome four strong five-setters against Summit to win both the District 10 Tournament and Region 5 crowns. At 30-1, the Rebels have won 23 in a row since the lone loss on Aug. 22 in the Showdown at the Sunsphere to Kentucky power St. Henry, 2-0 (25-19, 25-23).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Franklin (30-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels have done it all year with great balance and defense. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='751227' first='Maggie' last='Myhr'] sets the tone and setter [player_tooltip player_id='939795' first='Emmy' last='Garner'] sets up the attack. Gracie Stoebner and [player_tooltip player_id='959931' first='Riley' last='Neese'] also play huge roles on defense. Garner puts up precise passes to [player_tooltip player_id='826577' first='Jorden' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='961442' first='Clara' last='Leister'], [player_tooltip player_id='946580' first='Ellyson' last='Fogle'], [player_tooltip player_id='822945' first='Brynn' last='Pennington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='946569' first='Grace' last='Caroline Steih']. Their size has been tough to deal with over the season and will be a big factor in the state tournament. However, St. Henry and Summit have shown the Rebels can be beaten if teams can get them out of rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Science Hill (41-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilltoppers may be the deepest team in the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='801983' first='Isa' last='Dau'], [player_tooltip player_id='952575' first='Claire' last='Lamb'] and Kaitlyn Wallace anchor the defense with setter [player_tooltip player_id='952563' first='Lucy' last='O'Daniel'] running dynamic sets to a number of sound hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='831123' first='Chloe' last='Conner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='812534' first='Clara' last='McBride'] lead the way with [player_tooltip player_id='842073' first='Bryleigh' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='952571' first='Sofia' last='Pavlovich'] and [player_tooltip player_id='952566' first='Lizzie' last='Clark'] giving the Hilltoppers balance. Winning one-on-one matchups both ways at the net could be a huge key for the Hilltoppers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Arlington (32-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers return after going 2-2 and finishing fourth last season. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='828834' first='Addison' last='Harris'] may be the most electrifying player in the tournament wit her ability to rise up and take swings above antennaes. It helps that setter Ehman Nuhic is six feet even and can put balls at high angles shorter setters can not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big question mark for the Tigers is the back row play. Can it hold up for Harris and teammates to take those big rips against teams like Franklin and Science Hill? Collierville knocked off the Tigers during the regular season and in the District 15 Tournament title game. However, Arlington came back to beat Collierville in the Region 8 championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mary Hickey and [player_tooltip player_id='795354' first='Katelynn' last='Bridges'] hope to hold things down in the back for Arlington. Aside from Harris, [player_tooltip player_id='1045855' first='Zaria' last='Moss'] and [player_tooltip player_id='805613' first='Gracyn' last='Posey'] give the Tigers sound all-around play. [player_tooltip player_id='958373' first='Lola' last='Benfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1018268' first='Ellee' last='Blackburn'] also give the Tigers sound options offensively. Arlington won the Kentucky Challenge weeks ago in Lexington and has wins over Briarcrest Christian and Valor Prep to its credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Collierville (42-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons are a scrappy team having two wins over Arlington. They have a nice senior class led by [player_tooltip player_id='823076' first='Carley' last='Dik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='957172' first='Isabel' last='Plunkett']. Ella Grommersch also steps in to set so Plunkett can take swings. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='1049772' first='Claire' last='Braniff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='993484' first='Agnes' last='Olson'] have played key roles at the net with sophomore Kelsy Johnston making nice plays on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Summit (24-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have taken some lumps this year, but the defending state champions are playing solid volleyball at the right time, having battled Franklin to five sets four times. [player_tooltip player_id='938555' first='Tessa' last='Rowe'] and Aaree Poag leads the way defensively with [player_tooltip player_id='946566' first='Raegan' last='Burtch'] going over 1,000 assists on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='938556' first='Everleigh' last='DeShazo'], [player_tooltip player_id='938557' first='Emmy' last='Estep'], [player_tooltip player_id='946596' first='Madison' last='Spelta'], Nonie Yancey and Gabby Gutierrez give the Spartans sound options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Dobyns-Bennett (28-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians have shown the drive to make it back to Murfreesboro since the first serve and have delivered led by outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='939361' first='Norah' last='Shook'], [player_tooltip player_id='805865' first='Jess' last='Harden'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='803020' first='Milly' last='Williams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have plenty of help. [player_tooltip player_id='805067' first='Caroline' last='Smith'] has played a big role on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='960855' first='Reese' last='Hatcher'] and Anna Wackowski splitting up the setting. [player_tooltip player_id='1021272' first='Madison' last='Sykes'], [player_tooltip player_id='960858' first='Hadley' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='960853' first='Kendyl' last='Alley'] give the Indians a nice, balanced attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Bradley Central (36-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bears have the most state championship of anyone in the field, but this marks the first appearance in the state tournament since 1995. Bradley Central has a senior-laden team with nine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='799834' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'], Lilly Winters and [player_tooltip player_id='808752' first='Jenna' last='Belcher'] anchor the defense for Bradley Central and [player_tooltip player_id='793469' first='Elisea' last='Messer'] is the setter. [player_tooltip player_id='835165' first='Ma'ryah' last='Greenwood'] is having a monster season for the Bears. [player_tooltip player_id='803842' first='Tabitha' last='Eaves'], Addi Staton and Elizabeth Volynets have given the Bears sound balance this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Oakland (25-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots may be the new ones to this stage, but they have some advantages. The main one is the state tournament taking place in their home town. [player_tooltip player_id='997245' first='Stella' last='Logan'] and Kinley Northcutt start things on defense with crisp first touches to setter [player_tooltip player_id='1051794' first='Ella' last='Kate Knox']. [player_tooltip player_id='1000577' first='Kinsley' last='Richard'] leads the way offensively for the Patriots with [player_tooltip player_id='1052959' first='Laila' last='Ogleton'], Carlina Bauer, Cecilia Damron and Amiyah Cobb giving the Patriots solid balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/17587660","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"crowdsignal","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/17587660 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822945"],"_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-6ad3a9a65ebf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pennington's size and athleticism has been a huge key for Franklin's amazing run this season. Pennington forms powerful double blocks with teammates. Pennington gets on top of balls and takes powerful rips. Pennington deposits ones all over the court and executes sound slides. Pennington tools blocks and pounds balls through tight spaces. Pennington taps balls to spots to keep opponents honest. Pennington does not rush her swings. She attacks deep corners and puts 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":["952575"],"_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-6ad3ae7f42d05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lamb uses good range to get to balls, helping the Hilltoppers form a good defense. Lamb takes minimal steps to balls and forms walls around them to make nice two to three-point passes. Lamb reads hitters well and closes seams. Lamb even makes good adjustments to redirected balls. Her communication could use some work, but that will come with more reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["795354"],"_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-6ad3b80c3fd6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bridges (pictured) has shown the ability to make the simple and hard digs. Bridges lays out to make sound digs under control, including pancake digs. Bridges has quick hands to execute both overhead and bump passes. Bridges uses a good platform to attack balls on defense and serve reception. Bridges has also shown she can handle well-struck crosses. Bridges also puts across tough serves and can land them on sound defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1049772"],"_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-6ad3c004ca483"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braniff has stepped in and delivered big plays for the Dragons. Braniff gets up before double blocks form and pounds balls to the back row. Braniff executes powerful crosses and rips balls passed blocks on go routes. Braniff takes nice swings from the back row and rips balls into seams. Braniff takes quality out of system roll shots and does a good job pushing 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":["938556"],"_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-6ad3c783ef5d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DeShazo does not rush her swings. DeShazo waits for blocks to go up then takes calculated swings to hit through the double blocks or tool them. DeShazo puts balls over with a nice downward trajectory on crosses. DeShazo deposits nice ones to different zones. DeShazo is an aggressive blocker. She sees hitters well and goes up with a nice vertical to at least get touches on them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960855"],"_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-6ad3c85dab884"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hatcher has done a nice job running the offense for the Indians. Hatcher makes nice decisions and puts her hitters in good position to succeed. Hatcher executes a variety of sets with nice touch. She is coachable and will continue to grow with her work ethic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["808752"],"_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-6ad3d06c8a89e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Belcher does a great job extending her arms and taking minimal steps to balls. Belcher executes both bump and overhead passes with precision. Becher does a good job lunging after balls under control with her quick reactions on defense. Belcher is consistent on defense and serve reception. Belcher also puts nice topspin on her serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1052959"],"_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-6ad3d5d87c803"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ogleton takes nines and pounds balls into holes in double blocks with a great downward trajectory. Ogleton comes in off fakes and tools blocks. Ogleton makes plays from both pins. with her high attack point. Ogleton mixes in sound off shots to give defense something extra to consider.</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 and a half 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 -->