Inside the 16th District Championship between third, fourth seeds

<!-- 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 parity in the district showed in the semifinals with the third seeded Monroe County Falcons and fourth seeded Russell County Lakers taking down higher seeds to earn spots in the district championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big question in the championship game Tuesday at Cumberland County turned into which team would win out with various strengths. The Lakers came into the game with a size advantage at the net while the Falcons dare opponents to out-scrap them. The size and finesse game of the Lakers won by a 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22) score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell County (16-19 overall) won the district championship for the first time since 2023. Since the inception of the current format in 2012, the Lakers have the most district championship of the five teams with eight. Monroe County (13-12) came into the district in 2022 and won it for the first time last season. Russell County won five in a row from 2012 to 2016 with current head coach Kailey Coffey in high school for the last four. Clinton County then won five in a row from 2017 to 2021 before Russell County won it the next two years and Cumberland County won its first ever crown in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell County controlled the net for the most part with 5-11 senior [player_tooltip player_id='935768' first='Cadence' last='Rager'] and 5-10 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1054189' first='Claire' last='Holmes'] in addition to senior lefty [player_tooltip player_id='935774' first='Piper' last='Garmon'] taking nice swings. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='812171' first='Carigann' last='Carpenter'] also took some nice swings and made quality touches in the back row with Olivia Robertson making key blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='930336' first='Kaelyn' last='Campbell'], Maribelle Devore, Emma Adamson and Allie Bailey did a nice job making first touches so setter [player_tooltip player_id='778285' first='Madelyn' last='Roy'] could put balls on target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"What I think it boils down to at this point in the season was just the heart and the guts," Coffey said. "That's what I told them. They've put in all sorts of work. All summer long, we did 6 a.m. practices. We played a really hard schedule on purpose. They were battle-tested. They didn't lay down. They didn't quit even when we got down in that fourth set. They just kept on going. They played together and they played for each other. They just kept playing their game."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe County once again put out a scrappy game led by senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='802096' first='Jaylee' last='Bartley'] with setters [player_tooltip player_id='603826' first='Sarah' last='Thompson'] and Kyley Craighead making nice passes to [player_tooltip player_id='843755' first='Mattie' last='Woods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='838890' first='Tahlia' last='Sheffield']. [player_tooltip player_id='1054215' first='Cloey' last='Hawkins'] also made some sound plays for the Falcons. The Falcons just could not keep Russell County out of rhythm enough to win the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams still advance to the region tournament that takes place at Bowling Green this year. These six made a number of plays trying to lead the respective teams to the district championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054189"],"_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-6ad83c380cd87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holmes (pictured) helps the Lakers control the net with her size. Holmes gets her hands on plenty of balls and does a good job working with teammates to form solid double blocks. Holmes tools blocks and gets on top of balls to put down sharp balls on ones. Holmes puts nice topspin on her serves and does a good job stepping to balls and using a good platform to make nice two to three-point passes. Her offensive rhythm needs some work, but that will come with her work ethic. Holmes said whenever you see the sets leave the setter's hands, it's vital to track the balls, get up on the hands of the hitters and try to close the blocks to make a difference at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["935768"],"_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":1054198,"_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-6ad83e1898603"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rager consistently hits balls from a high attack point to go over and around blockers and Monroe County could not slow her down in the game. Rager tools blocks and uses her off (left) hand to throw off opponents. Rager attacks seams with precision and hammers balls into the donut, using her outstanding court vision. Her swings have a solid downward trajectory. Rager said solid hits start with the little things, not stressing out and just readying the body to take those hard swings in addition to staying calm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["930336"],"_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":1054203,"_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-6ad83f2e32813"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campbell makes nice adjustments on redirected balls. She hustles hard after balls, showing she can handle well-struck crosses. Campbell makes quality out of system sets and has nice range. Campbell displayed consistency on defense and serve reception. Campbell reads hitters well and stops her feet in her tracks to make the simple passes. Campbell also does a good job serving to different zones on the court. Campbell is also a cheerleader at Russell County and said that is helpful because it's year-round and keeps her body moving and ready to be on the court when the fall rolls around. She also credited the flying and tumbling involved with cheerleading for helping her get in shape for volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778285"],"_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":1054209,"_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-6ad8412688a10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roy grew up around the court with her mom currently serving as an assistant and had previously been the head coach. Roy is a great leader on the court constantly making sure her teammates are in the right spots. Roy makes the most of balls and executes a variety of sets. Roy provides sound net backup and sends nice shoves to deep corners on second touches to give opponents something extra to consider. Roy said the wins and tough losses during the regular season made the team ready for the district tournament and the Lakers got the job done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603826"],"_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":1054212,"_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-6ad842288cbad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is a sound six-rotation player for the Falcons. Thompson does a nice job setting up the hitters to terminate balls. She makes quick touches and does not lock her arms. Thompson sends over quality roll shots and handles well-struck crosses. Thompson is also a good communicator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054215"],"_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-6ad843daf2434"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hawkins makes a lot of small plays to keep the Falcons in games. Hawkins puts over solid jump serves to keep opponents out of system and can take sound rips. Hawkins skims the net and paints the side and back lines to give the Falcons quick points. Hawkins has tough off shots and 4-to-4 cut shots. Hawkins also digs up a number of tough shots. Opponents can't go soft on her at the net.</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> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> 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 -->