Five Players to Know from Division II, Class AA, Middle Region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Christ Presbyterian Lions drove to the state title game and had chances to knock off Briarcrest Christian in both games in the state tournament. However, the Lions could not come through in either set including a 15-13 in the fifth set of the state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have reloaded and are looking to take the final step this season, but it will again have to be earned in the rugged Middle Region. Lipscomb Academy, Father Ryan and Pope John Paul II all made the state quarterfinals before losing last season and could have a say before the dust settles. These are five of a number of execiting players to see this season from the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807502"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6a5478b2a34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willeford (pictured) does an outstanding job seeing the court and using her instincts to mix in hard and off shots. When defensive specialists play back, Willeford tips balls to openings in the middle. Willeford makes quick transitions from defense to offense. She smokes balls down the lines. She uses her size to rise up and pound balls over and around blocks. Willeford rips seams with precision. She also does a great job bouncing back quickly from mistakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["947061"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6a5990cd807"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When balls come near Jensen, she does what she can to dig them up, using her outstanding range. She communicates well with teammates and does not take many steps to balls. She is not afraid to dive under control when needed. She puts across nice float serves and makes sound out of system sets. Jensen made numerous improvements during club season in a number of aspects in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["959854"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6a5990cd85e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graham brings a lot of versatility to the Irish. Graham takes nice four-step approaches and uses a sound follow-through to put great power into balls. Her height gives her a high attack point to hit balls over and around. She delivers from both pins. Graham does a great job attacking holes in double blocks and seams. She is especially tough smacking crosses from both pins. Graham can even pound out solid hits from the middle back row. Graham makes nice out of system sets and uses a good platform on defense. Graham also does a good job adjusting to redirected balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["994436"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6a5b06cf75e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole flies in and smokes balls to the floor. Cole does not rush things with her swings. Cole has also produced great ball control with her four-step rhythm, consistently finding ways to go around blocks and rip seams. She takes quality out of system swings and mixes in nice tips to the middle. Cole is not afraid to slow down and put across off swings when opportunities present themselves. Cole makes a lot of nice two to three-point passes on defense and serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830341"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a6a5b06cf7b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slayden can turn into a powerful outside with more consistency. Slayden smacks over tough crosses and does not hesitate to tip over blocks when defensive specialists play back. Slayden does a good job tooling blocks for big points. She can also make sound passes to jumpstart the offensive attack.</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 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 -->