Which state runner-up brings home gold next season?

<!-- 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 did not happen this season, but one of the runner-up squads could go back to the title game and bring back the state championship in 2027. Some of the five state runner-ups have that opportunity next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/17672677","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/17672677 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II-AA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christ Presbyterian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions (29-6 overall) may be in the best position to do it with the graduation of just two seniors in setter [player_tooltip player_id='946577' first='McKenna' last='Stockton'] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='822408' first='Aubrie' last='Mark']. They return setter [player_tooltip player_id='947057' first='Edie' last='Cabell'] along with three of the top four hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='807502' first='Taylor' last='Willeford'], [player_tooltip player_id='961441' first='Sophia' last='Freije'] and [player_tooltip player_id='947069' first='Emilie' last='Mark']. [player_tooltip player_id='947055' first='Lucy' last='Bascomb'] could also step in to give the Lions some added balance. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='1000655' first='Nora' last='Cabell'] also returns to anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CPA has been knocking on the door of the first state championship for the last two seasons. The Lions took Briarcrest Christian to five sets in the championship games last season and even took a 4-1 lead in the fifth set of this year's title game. They hope to get over that hump next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II-A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats (18-9) graduate four players in two solid hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='832463' first='Grey' last='Malone'], libero Elena Miller and setter <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tn/franklin/battle-ground-academy-wildcats/athletes/gianna-ippolito/?careerid=qp4lbukk6nj55">Gianna Ippolito</a>. Setter Hannah Gregg returns along with sophomore hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1055028' first='Claudia' last='Dobie'] and junior setter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='1055021' first='Taylor' last='Davis'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division I-AAA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Science Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilltoppers (43-5) graduate all-state libero [player_tooltip player_id='801983' first='Isa' last='Dau'] along with the top three hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='831123' first='Chloe' last='Conner'], [player_tooltip player_id='812534' first='Clara' last='McBride'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842073' first='Bryleigh' last='Scott']. However, setter [player_tooltip player_id='952563' first='Lucy' last='O'Daniel'] returns along with two prolific hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='952566' first='Lizzie' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='952571' first='Sofia' last='Pavlovich']. [player_tooltip player_id='952575' first='Claire' last='Lamb'] is also back on defense with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='952574' first='Briley' last='Streitz'] expecting to step into a huge role next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division I-AA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dyer County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Choctaws (33-10) have finished runner-up three years in a row. They graduate six seniors including setter [player_tooltip player_id='947035' first='Kierstyn' last='Ray'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='947030' first='Evie' last='Rogers'] in addition to hitters [player_tooltip player_id='1053356' first='Zoey' last='Morris'], Katie Caldwell and Blair Acree. [player_tooltip player_id='1063365' first='Ady' last='Harrison'] is the team's leading returning kills leader and [player_tooltip player_id='1055440' first='Kate' last='Benedetto'] will anchor the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division I-A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Merrol Hyde</strong>t</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks graduate just one player, but it happens to be their leading hitter in [player_tooltip player_id='842926' first='Jena' last='Wright']. The dynamic Genry Hansen is back along with the other setter in [player_tooltip player_id='1063404' first='Caellainn' last='Harrigan']. Powerful hitter [player_tooltip player_id='991509' first='Izzy' last='Shaw'] also returns along with [player_tooltip player_id='796324' first='Liv' last='Maxwell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='810398' first='Adeline' last='Miller'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["947055"],"_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-6af3793a0d7de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bascomb has the potential to control the net with her size next season. Bascomb hits hard crosses to deep corners and rises up to pound down ones before blocks form. Bascomb uses her solid form to aggressively swat down balls at the net. Bascomb can stuff block ones. Opponents can't go soft on her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1055028"],"_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-6af3793a0d847"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dobie (pictured) does a good job winning jousts and tooling blocks. She is tough in the middle for BGA with her ability to rise up and hit ones over and around blockers. Dobie puts nice touch on swings off back sets to the back row. Dobie pounds down overpassed balls with authority and does not hesitate to shove balls to open spaces on the court on second touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952571"],"_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-6af37c6608260"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pavlovich has a nice left-handed arm swing plus good size on the outside and Science Hill tries to take full advantage of it. Pavlovich tools blocks puts over powerful out of system crosses. Pavlovich throws off opponents with her unique hitting angles and pounds ones to open side lines. Pavlovich sends hard shots to the back row and executes powerful four-to-four cut shots off fakes. Pavlovich creates room for her teammates with her presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1063365"],"_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-6af38e965289e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrison is innovative with how she puts balls down in the middle on ones. Harrison has nice placement on her swings. Harrison takes back sets and hits over double blocks using her size well. Harrison also uses her nice court IQ to tool blocks. Harrison can tap balls to deep corners on one play before tipping it to shallow four zones on the next one. A quicker arm swing is a nice next step for Harrison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1063404"],"_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-6af3936398ad0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrigan's diversity helped the Hawks finish state runner-up for the first time in program history. Harrigan runs the offense with efficiency and does a nice job getting up to record stuff blocks. Harrigan tools blocks and sends nice shots to deep corners. Harrigan has nice cut shots and crosses and angles her body one way, before turning in the at the last second to send the ball another way. Harrigan also does a nice job placing overpassed balls away from opponents.</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 nearly three 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 -->