Key Players on Five Remaining Non-Dominant Five Teams

<!-- 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>It is a road many have tried over the years, but none have conquered. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road to the state championship in the Commonwealth goes through the state's Dominant Five of Louisville all-girl powers Mercy, Assumption, Sacred Heart and the two northern Kentucky powers in Notre Dame and St. Henry. The five have combined to win every state championship since the first tournament in 1979 with the exception of 1980 when Villa Madonna won it. Villa Madonna also happens to be in northern Kentucky and is in the 34th District with St. Henry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, numbers are at all-time highs in the state. While it may be hard to fathom in some ways, it is not impossible for another team to break through. These players on the remaining state quarterfinal teams outside of Notre Dame, Assumption and Mercy will do what they can trying to help the respective teams conquer the mountains.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/17651793","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/17651793 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917370"],"_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-6aec0c5e7d6e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mills helped the Colonels back to the state quarterfinals with her strong net play. She has good form on her blocks and will need to hold her own against Bowling Green's size up front. Mills can handle strong hitters with her blocking form and takes nice swings on offense to help give her teammates space. Mills rises up before double blocks form to pound ones to different zones to different areas of the court. Mills has developed nice slides and gap shots. Mills is also working on her cut shots. Her versatility could be the key for the Colonels to advance to the state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755065"],"_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-6aec0c5e7d73c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Snowden does a good job staying on an even keel when games are tight to help lead the Colts to wins. Snowden has nice touches on her sets and can execute a variety of short and long sets. Snowden tries to set up hitters in their power zones at high attack points so they can hit over taller blockers and does not lock her arms. Snowden back sets balls to side lines to surprise opponents and even shoves balls to deep corners if defensive specialists are playing up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["890039"],"_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-6aec0c5e7d782"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yarbrough (pictured) gets a dose of well-struck balls at her in practice and it shows in games. Yarbrough's platform has improved this year to where she is making more consistent two to three-point passes. Yarbrough makes good adjustments on redirected balls and does not hesitate to reach up for overhead passes when needed. Yarbrough does not hesitate to lunge if needed to dig up setter dumps, Her ball control needs some work, but it has improved with more repetitions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["816699"],"_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-6aec0c5e7d7c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">May benefits from opponents having to pay close attention to the two strong outsides. May gives the Tigers a nice presence in the middle. She takes nice swings on ones, pounding them into seams with a nice vertical jump. May puts good roll shots to side lines and is a sound blocker. She'll need another big game at the net to help Paintsville control the net against Mercy's sound middles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1022305"],"_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-6aec0c5e7d808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gregory has done a nice job adjusting to the setter role at the varsity level, Gregory executes a variety of sets including back sets with her nice touches. Gregory sends out of system sets back toward the net so hitters can put down balls across. Gregory sticks her arms up on defense to dig up balls hit over her head.</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 -->