Five Clean Swingers, Passers in Highlands at Walton-Verona Game

<!-- 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>The two teams met trying to figure some more things out before the postseason arrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlands Bluebirds (11-10 overall) own nine consecutive 36th District crowns in the streak that began when Walton-Verona head coach Katelyn Sallee served as head coach there from 2014 to 2021. In her fourth season guiding the Bearcats (16-14), Sallee is trying to guide Walton-Verona back to the 8th Region Tournament for the first time since 2020 and to the first 32nd District crown since 2017. Neither team got into great offensive rhythms with various struggles on first contacts, but Highlands executed better in a 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-8) win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands has seen senior Lyla Shaffer take over the libero spot with junior [player_tooltip player_id='779997' first='Carly' last='Skirvin'] setting. The Bluebirds feature several experienced hitters in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='839058' first='Taylor' last='Janosick'], [player_tooltip player_id='836110' first='Meredith' last='Hicks'], [player_tooltip player_id='930290' first='Ava' last='Ireland'] along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='608333' first='Bella' last='Thomas'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"They figured it out. They kept pushing. They kept focused. We talk about playing to win and I felt like they did in that fifth set," Highlands head coach Leah Fryman said. "They went out and they kept playing hard. I think that's an intrinsic thing. How do you teach them that energy, that effort and just to want it more? I feel like we picked up our energy, We were kind of flat most of the match. But in that fifth set, they wanted it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton-Verona saw seniors [player_tooltip player_id='954780' first='Laken' last='Fugate'], [player_tooltip player_id='930263' first='Annie' last='Allen'] and sophomore libero Allison Arnold make nice first contacts to sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='1049096' first='Olivia' last='Simpkins']. Simpkins then distributed balls to seniors [player_tooltip player_id='468553' first='Chloe' last='McIntosh'], Lindsey Goodman and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='889588' first='Ashlan' last='Emerson']. The Bearcats led a good bit of the third set, just need to learn to finish them better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five players gave great efforts trying to lead the respective teams to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["836110"],"_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":1049084,"_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-6ac47090b0f2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hicks (pictured) gave the Bluebirds nice all-around play in the win. She made a key pancake dig during the game and ended it with a nice line kill. Hicks sends tough shots to one zones on go routes and can tip balls to lines to give opponents something extra to consider. Hicks said consistent first touches then quality sets so hitters can take big swings helps Highlands get into a good rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590644"],"_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":1049089,"_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-6ac47299367ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steinhauser may not have had her best game defensively, but she did made up for it with some solid swings on the opposite side. She steps into balls and delivers with precision. Steinhauser takes strong line swings on nines and sends nice shoves to the two zone. She swings her arms out trying to dig up balls. Steinhauser said she feels the connections between the setter and hitters are getting better so hitters can take better swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779997"],"_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-6ac4729936833"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skirvin has stepped into a setter role after playing right side during club season. She does a great job involving a number of hitters. Skirvin tries to put balls in hitters' power zones so they can take big rips on balls. She executes a variety of sets including back sets. Skirvin said she's tried to be more consistent with her sets so the Bluebirds can run plays and get the job done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["468553"],"_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":1049092,"_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-6ac4754797d91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McIntosh has improved her arm swing and accuracy this season. McIntosh puts across solid crosses and does a good job tooling blocks. McIntosh had success shoving balls to deep corners and to shallow four zones. McIntosh makes crisp first touches and has a nice jump float serve. McIntosh puts down overpassed balls with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1049096"],"_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-6ac4754797dea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simpkins found herself on the spot for big digs throughout the game. She squares her body up to them then makes smooth two to three-point passes. Simpkins also makes good decisions running Walton-Verona's 5-1 offense. Simpkins exectues a variety of sets and makes great adjustments on her serves.</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 -->