Region Championship Recaps: Frederick Douglass wins first title

<!-- 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>Some fresh air comes about in the state tournament when different teams make win regions, especially first-timers. The Frederick Douglass Broncos and Christian County Tigers won the 11th and 2nd Regions respectively to accomplish those feats. Christian County had won a region championship in 2014 as the Colonels, but this one marked the first one in the first season as a combined school with Hopkinsville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, ten regions saw repeat or more winners, but six different winners is two more than last year that only saw four different region winners. Rowan County, Paintsville, Letcher County Central and Bishop Brossart are all back in the state tournament after missing out on it at least in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rowan County 3, Ashland 2 (18-25, 30-28, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the tightest of all 16 region championships, but the Valkyries found a way to knock off the Kittens at Boyd County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] has consistently delivered nice five balls to powerful outsides [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze']. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May'] hold things down in the back. Raylee Withrow has given the Valkyries another option with Trinity Leon also making an impact on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland's tandem of setter [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman'] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] have given Rowan County plenty of problems over the years, but the Valkyries overcame it this time. [player_tooltip player_id='893930' first='Melanie' last='Kelley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1047068' first='Bristol' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='995530' first='Jocelyn' last='King'] have given the Kittens offensive balance along with [player_tooltip player_id='1047359' first='Piper' last='Compliment'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1021038' first='Ava' last='McAlister'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paintsville 3, Shelby Valley 0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are back on top of the region behind the dynamic senior outside hitter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='603814' first='Chloe' last='Reed'], who racked up 22 and 15 kills, respectively. [player_tooltip player_id='890171' first='Addison' last='Helton'] had 37 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='898049' first='Kendall' last='Short'] has led Paintsville on defense this season with [player_tooltip player_id='816699' first='Mallory' last='May'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742476' first='Annabelle' last='Blankenship'] taking solid swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='535230' first='Miley' last='Riddle'] led Shelby Valley with 18 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='741700' first='Sahnia' last='Linton'] had eight. [player_tooltip player_id='612248' first='Talynn' last='Johnson'] had 22 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='740604' first='Makaya' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='535231' first='Ryleigh' last='Perry'], [player_tooltip player_id='798550' first='Savannah' last='Church'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800657' first='Aaron' last='Elkins'] have led Shelby Valley on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Letcher County Central 3, Knott County Central 1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor VanHoose took the job hoping to help lead the tradition-rich Cougars back to the top of the region and did it. Letcher County Central last won the region in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='771734' first='Calissa' last='Lowe'] led the Cougars with 16 kills with Hannah Eldridge and [player_tooltip player_id='612103' first='Evany' last='Pack'] pounding out 13 each and setter Kelsi Holbrook had 40 assists. Freshman phenom libero [player_tooltip player_id='762378' first='Piper' last='Adams'] had 31 digs with [player_tooltip player_id='997324' first='Addy' last='Blevins'] recording 11. Pack added 10 digs and Sophia Baker had eight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='782433' first='Annie' last='Asher'] led the Patriots with 26 kills with [player_tooltip player_id='834530' first='Laney' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912613' first='Rylee' last='Craft'] pounding out nine each. [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] recorded 32 assists and [player_tooltip player_id='714563' first='Lily' last='Blair'] had 14 with [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] digging up 20 balls. [player_tooltip player_id='924668' first='Kaylee' last='King'] followed with 13 digs and Davis had four blocks. Miller had 16 digs with [player_tooltip player_id='896832' first='Kynley' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='819895' first='Tiara' last='Bailey'] and Asher recording 11 digs each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitley County 3, Corbin 0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels recorded their fifth straight region crown behind 14 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'] and 11 from [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll']. [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'] had seven each with [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] tallying 35 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] led the Colonels on defense with 19 digs and Carroll had nine with [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] blocking six balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='890400' first='Annabelle' last='Griffin'] led Corbin with 12 kills with [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'] recording seven each. [player_tooltip player_id='890925' first='Harper' last='Newcomb'] dished out 30 assists with [player_tooltip player_id='897255' first='Tatum' last='Strain'] recording 30 digs and Lucy Jo Linville tallying 10. Clemens also had three blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Jessamine 3, Trinity Christian 0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colts won their eighth straight region crown and 10th in the last 11 years in convincing fashion. [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent'] have led the Colts in kills with Taylor Snowden setting them up. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'] has led the Colts in digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612250' first='Amelia' last='Stanton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='897249' first='Elizabeth' last='Battaile'] has led the Titans in kills with [player_tooltip player_id='955942' first='Gisele' last='Ragland'] giving them balance. Elle Guarnieri and Isabel Clark have done the majority of the setting and [player_tooltip player_id='917137' first='Harper' last='Huhn'] led Trinity Christian in digs. [player_tooltip player_id='998722' first='Mia' last='Young'] emerged in the back row along with [player_tooltip player_id='941734' first='Emma' last='Marcum'] and Sophie Phillips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frederick Douglass 3, Tates Creek 0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This region would have a different winner once Tates Creek knocked off two-time defending region champion Lexington Catholic in the 43rd District semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frederick Douglass rose up and captured that elusive region crown beating Great Crossing in the semifinals for the program's first region semifinal win in six tries. The four-time 42nd District champions saw [player_tooltip player_id='890370' first='Maryn' last='Dunham'], Uriah Holman-Allen and [player_tooltip player_id='804730' first='Ava' last='Henderson'] lead the way. [player_tooltip player_id='611969' first='Jordan' last='McCrary'] has been setting up the offense with [player_tooltip player_id='776638' first='Shelby' last='Mays'] holding down things in the back row as the libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tates Creek lost out on a first region crown since driving to the state semifinals in 2005. [player_tooltip player_id='742197' first='Harper' last='Lipsett'] led the Commodores with 11 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='1041441' first='Charlee' last='Simmons'] record 22 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='778616' first='Hayden' last='Wolff'] led Tates Creek with 10 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Brossart 3, George Rogers Clark 0 (27-25, 25-22, 25-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hosts saw [player_tooltip player_id='891600' first='Audrey' last='Arnold'] record 17 kills with [player_tooltip player_id='515259' first='Callie' last='Ritter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='885299' first='Evelyn' last='Laker'] tally 16 and 12, respectively. [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] set up the offense nicely with [player_tooltip player_id='587827' first='Grace' last='Frommeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] lead on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='885509' first='Emma' last='Sheanshang'], [player_tooltip player_id='832519' first='Hailey' last='Heitker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='732580' first='Leah' last='Robinson'] giving the Mustangs balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark has been led by [player_tooltip player_id='963197' first='Elayna' last='Swart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='776724' first='Brooke' last='Gough'] all season and [player_tooltip player_id='1057451' first='Libby' last='McCormick'] giving the Cardinals a nice presence in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='850203' first='Anna' last='Cooper'] handles the sets with [player_tooltip player_id='941895' first='Addison' last='Palmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1057453' first='Eva' last='Walker'] leading on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>See Recap Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prepdig.com/2026/10/9th-region-championship-comeback-leaders-in-nda-reverse-sweep/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-dig"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-dig wp-block-embed-prep-dig"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prepdig.com/2026/10/9th-region-championship-comeback-leaders-in-nda-reverse-sweep/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Oldham 3, Shelby County 1 (25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 25-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs won their third straight region crown behind Alex Cannon and [player_tooltip player_id='875414' first='Hannah' last='Droppelman']. [player_tooltip player_id='724992' first='Berkeley' last='Baxter'] and Arianna Paul have done a lot of setting for North Oldham with [player_tooltip player_id='547082' first='Ashlyn' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='752339' first='Kayla' last='Dickhaut'] and Booklyn Totten handling things on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='931049' first='Elly' last='Courtney'] has guided the offense all season for the Rockets with [player_tooltip player_id='753691' first='Carrie' last='Dreher'], [player_tooltip player_id='832494' first='Hadley' last='Tracy'], [player_tooltip player_id='961479' first='Kynadi' last='Henton'] and Nahla Sailor taking quality swings. [player_tooltip player_id='808794' first='Kaedyn' last='Stone'], Makaylan Flora and [player_tooltip player_id='792969' first='Celia' last='Huelett'] along with Kiah Carter have led Shelby County on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption 3, Sacred Heart 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets handled the Valkyries to win a fifth straight region crown. [player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'], [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'], [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'] lead the way offensively with [player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'] recording over 1200 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'], [player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'] and Madilyn Faulkner lead the Rockets on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart has seen nice offensive balance from [player_tooltip player_id='484247' first='Taylor' last='Frey'], [player_tooltip player_id='893802' first='Denise' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='909701' first='Reagan' last='Baron'], [player_tooltip player_id='895476' first='Addy' last='Ayres'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484325' first='Ava' last='Mineer'] all season. [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484248' first='Mia' last='Jasgarszewski'] have done a good job running the offense with [player_tooltip player_id='1040908' first='Madison' last='Tegge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748192' first='Bella' last='DeSensi'] leading the way on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mercy 3, Holy Cross (Louisville) 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars won yet another region crown behind 12 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] and seven from [player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps']. [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] had 16 assists with [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] recording 14. [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'], Herbert [player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939013' first='Josie' last='Hans'] have given the balance Mercy has enjoyed for years. [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] anchors the Mercy defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] anchors the Cougar defense and [player_tooltip player_id='484257' first='Leah' last='Evans'] sets up the talented hitters. [player_tooltip player_id='768451' first='Brianne' last='Stoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768557' first='Delaney' last='Stoff'] lead the team in kills with [player_tooltip player_id='497557' first='Emma' last='Rosebush'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1012642' first='Josie' last='Person'] have made the Cougars tough to defend this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elizabethtown 3, Taylor County 1 (25-22, 14-25, 25-22, 25-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time since 2016, this region did not come down to Elizabethtown and Central Hardin after Taylor County knocked off Central Hardin in the region quarterfinals then knocked off Bethlehem for the breakthrough to the region title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown won the region championship for the second straight year behind 24 kills from Navaeah Anderson and 23 from [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton']. [player_tooltip player_id='611962' first='Stella' last='Janes'] had 44 assists with [player_tooltip player_id='661582' first='Layla' last='Newsome'] recording 25 digs and anderson had 20. [player_tooltip player_id='789059' first='Bailey' last='Graham'] had 19 digs with Singleton and Janes following with 14 and 13 digs, respectively. [player_tooltip player_id='941198' first='Kylee' last='Dordor'] added seven solo blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484299' first='Madelynn' last='Yates'] led the Cardinals in kills with [player_tooltip player_id='754825' first='Nell' last='Coyle'], [player_tooltip player_id='755646' first='Miya' last='Downs'], [player_tooltip player_id='607229' first='Eden' last='Bland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='985538' first='Sophie' last='Hayes'] giving them balance. [player_tooltip player_id='755795' first='Parker' last='Jessie'] and Hayes ran the offense with Abigayle Wilcher stepping in on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bowling Green 3, South Warren 0 (25-22, 25-16, 28-26)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'] had 15 kills, seven aces and 13 digs to lead the Purples to a third straight region crown. [player_tooltip player_id='774161' first='Jaelyn' last='Page'] followed with nine kills with [player_tooltip player_id='850607' first='Reese' last='Romine'] tallying 21 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'] had 12 assists and [player_tooltip player_id='890039' first='Katie' last='Yarbrough'] had 12 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='749756' first='Olivia' last='Wells'], [player_tooltip player_id='822468' first='Autumn' last='Gaines'] and Olivia Griffith along with Evie Ramey led the Spartans offensively with Campbell Newlove and Holy Irakiza setting things up. Emma Parnell, Campbell Newlove and [player_tooltip player_id='782682' first='Alivia' last='Grubb'] led the Spartans on defense this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Apollo 3, Daviess County 0 (25-21, 25-19 and 25-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The E-Gals claimed a second straight region crown behind 11 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='484301' first='Avery' last='Gray'] and 10 from [player_tooltip player_id='888227' first='Keelan' last='Wettstain']. Ali Lawson and [player_tooltip player_id='827770' first='Savannah' last='Denson'] added six kills for Apollo with [player_tooltip player_id='912220' first='Maddi' last='Roberts'] setting them up. [player_tooltip player_id='612255' first='Jessie' last='Pate'] recorded 21 digs for the E-Gals with [player_tooltip player_id='534774' first='Lyla' last='Fortener'] recording 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='813890' first='Haylee' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912921' first='Reese' last='Whiteside'] led the Panthers with 10 kills each and [player_tooltip player_id='770779' first='Maya' last='Pollard'] had seven. Pollard also had a team-high eight digs with [player_tooltip player_id='911391' first='Stella' last='Roberts'] and Jenna Lawson running the Daviess County offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2nd Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian County 3, Henderson County 1 (29-27, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samyriah Walker and [player_tooltip player_id='908504' first='Kiley' last='Lambert'] had 13 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='816530' first='Madysen' last='Taggart'] had 11 as the Tigers dethroned the Colonels. [player_tooltip player_id='877548' first='Bailey' last='Brown'] did a good job setting things up offensively with 40 assists to go with 14 digs and [player_tooltip player_id='603865' first='Peyton' last='Owens'] had 24 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='996193' first='Avery' last='Cook'] followed with 11 digs and [player_tooltip player_id='930505' first='Autumn' last='Cook'] had nine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County saw [player_tooltip player_id='603212' first='Evangeline' last='Loffland'] record 14 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='888158' first='Emmy' last='Sword'] follow with 11. [player_tooltip player_id='776415' first='Addison' last='Kirtley'] had 18 assists and Ruby Reynolds had 15 with Myla Peck recording a team-high 26 digs. Sword and Loffland followed with 19 and 14 digs, respectively and Kirtley had 10. Kendra Ellis had four total blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McCracken County 3, Marshall County 0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-13)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs extended their streak of region crowns to 14 in a row with the win over the Marshals, who made the region championship for the first time since 2016.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'] lead McCracken County on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='1022305' first='McCoy' last='Gregory'] setting things up. [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Kambell' last='Dunning'], [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg'] anchor the Mustangs offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755896' first='Laney' last='Yates'] led Marshall County with 10 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='905602' first='Bella' last='Redden'] had seven with [player_tooltip player_id='484426' first='Emma-Leigh' last='Reynolds'] recording 22 assists. Yates and Reynolds had seven digs to lead Marshall County and [player_tooltip player_id='932258' first='Elin' last='Denflip'] had six. [player_tooltip player_id='850644' first='Brooke' last='Von Bokel'] followed with three solo blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"","_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-6ae7c96718199"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mains (pictured) does not have to do it, but she has not hesitated to carry the Valkyries on her back if needed. That was more than evident in the 16th Region championship as she pounded out 32 kills. Her vertical jump lets her hit over and around taller blockers. She powers through tough double blocks for big points and tips balls to shallow zones to throw off opponents. Mains gets on top of balls and puts so much power into them even sound defensive specialists have problems digging her up. Mains makes things happen out of system. Mains is tough on go routes and even puts down powerful back sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925231"],"_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-6ae7d50b4e339"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith does a nice job reading hitters and using a strong platform to dig up balls. Smith lines her arms up to balls to make sound two to three-point passes. Smith handles sharp crosses with precision and delivers nice jump spin on her serves. Smith can take nice swings when needed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997324"],"_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-6ae7db2334c6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blevins has given the Cougars consistent play on defense and serve reception, knowing opponents will hit away from libero [player_tooltip player_id='762378' first='Piper' last='Adams']. Blevins makes the simple passes and lunges after balls under control. Blevins takes minimal steps to balls and swings her arms out to close seams. Blevins sticks arms up to dig up shoves to deep corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587827"],"_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-6ae7e3a78748d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Frommeyer has taken steps to own the back row for the Mustangs this season. Frommeyer has improved her range, taking minimal steps to balls and makes the simple passes on defense and serve reception. Frommeyer makes quick reactions on defense and provides quality net backup. She sticks her arms out to make controlled saves and does a nice job closing seams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877548"],"_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-6ae7f2e395316"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown has stepped in to nicely lead the Tiger offense. Brown has nice touch on her sets and pushes out of system sets back toward the net. Brown does a good job executing a variety of sets including back sets. Brown uses a nice platform on defense. She executes sound bump and overhead passes. Brown also puts over sound jump serves for quick points.</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 -->