16th Region Preview: Ashland reloads, but challengers await

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a historic run to the state quarterfinals last season, many knew the <strong>Ashland Blazer Kittens</strong> would look different this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They graduated six key seniors off that 37-5 team that won a second straight 16th Region crown then knocked off visiting Whitley County, 3-0 in the first round of the state tournament to drive to the state quarterfinals. However, if Monday's season-opening 3-0 win at Sayre is any indication, the Kittens may be still be the force to be reckoned with in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland does return dominant 6-0 junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] and dynamic setter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='786656' first='Caroline' last='Lowman']. Senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='794222' first='Greer' last='Layman'] and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='893930' first='Melanie' last='Kelley'] also saw significant varsity action last season. Two freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='998722' first='Mia' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='998937' first='Emma' last='Hensley'] have stepped in as defensive specialists with junior [player_tooltip player_id='941734' first='Emma' last='Marcum'] and freshman Ava McAlister giving the team swings on the opposite side. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='995530' first='Jocelyn' last='King'] plays middle and outside with sophomore Bristol Clark hitting from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Clark said the Kittens work extremely hard, work together and possess a lot of chemistry and good talent. He added they may be young, but are relatively deep and it's been fun to watch different players step up into big roles and continue to develop, learn, adapt and grow into better players and teammates on and off the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland travels to Charleston Catholic on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>Rowan County Valkyries</strong> (27-7) drove back to the region championship for the first time since 2020. They do return good experience led by senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'], powerful senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'], junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] and two junior defensive specialists in [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611809' first='Kelsey' last='May']. Junior right side/setter Raylee Withrow and eighth grade middle blocker Aaliyah Samuel are also looking to be big contributers this year as was sophomore middle/defensive specialist Eva Brinker. However, Brinker moved to Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Taylor Dixon said this is the first time the Valkyries are primarily upperclassmen in her tenure so the experience is huge. She's hoping the experience and leadership will guide Rowan County to a successful season. Dixon noted they have multiple players who played club in the offseason so they are definitely reaping those benefits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan County started the season with a road loss at Montgomery County. The Valkyries travel to Raceland on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>64th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boyd County Lions (13-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd County made it back to the semifinals after getting bounced from the first round of region in 2024. The Lions had won region crowns and gone to the state quarterfinals three years in a row from 2021 to 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd County saw 10 seniors graduate including libero Baylee Moore, who took her talents to the University of Pikeville. However, the Lions do return 6-0 middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='611964' first='Adria' last='Queen'] and senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='754849' first='Casie' last='Porter'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team is loaded with juniors. The expected contributors are defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='794484' first='Heidi' last='Marcum'], [player_tooltip player_id='1020265' first='Audrina' last='Epling'], middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='995536' first='Molly' last='Robbins'], outside/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='837102' first='Reagan' last='Queen'], right side [player_tooltip player_id='1014128' first='Bella' last='Porter'] and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='1014111' first='Emmy' last='Thornbury']. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1014123' first='Rylan' last='Ashton'] hopes to contribute at the right side with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='941427' first='Ava' last='Johnson'] playing right side and defensive specialist. Eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='1020264' first='Payton' last='Clark'] could also see action at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions won the Varsity C group going 9-0 at the Bluegrass Games. Head coach Jamie Clark said that helped them come together as a team and let them develop a winning attitude together. He said the girls have played together on and off for the past few years, but never really competed together as a whole unit. Coach Clark said they have a fight in them the staff has not seen for a few years and could be overlooked because of the new faces with not much varsity experience. However, Coach Clark said the Lions have a solid unit and are going to surprise some people in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd County started the season with a 3-0 win over Elliott County. The next game is at Russell on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairview Eagles (14-19)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a new head coach in Charlee Hobbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hobbs said she's excited to see how much this team can grow. Hobbs is a former player and said it's really surreal to now be on the coaching side and get to watch the next generation of players come through. Hobbs added the group has so much potential and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has one senior in outside/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='535277' first='Madison' last='Loving']. Three juniors in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='612176' first='Sabrina' last='Grant'], defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='797620' first='Paige' last='Vanbibber'] and setter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='781278' first='Karly' last='Jane Caldwell'] bring back experience along with freshman defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='797072' first='Mia' last='Fraley']. Hobbs also said to watch out for junior outside hitter Addyson Brown, sophomore outside/middle Layni Hobson and freshman outside/setter Kylie Parks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairview opened the season with a 3-1 win over Lawrence County and hosts Bath County on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rose Hill Christian Royals (2-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals struggled last season, but do return a promising freshman on defense in Zoey Trimble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game on the schedule is Aug. 29 against Fairview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>63rd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greenup County Musketeers (24-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Musketeers broke through last season to snatch that elusive first district championship since 2012.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kymbria Coleman takes over and has focused on changing the way they play. She's sped up the offense and challenged the players to play with more confidence, purpose and aggression. On defense, Coleman said she's thinks that's going to be one of the biggest surprises for people. Coleman has given girls opportunites on defense they have not had before. She noted there is still room to grow, but her goal is to build a team that competes for every single point, trusts each other and never backs down. She added she's excited to see what these girls do when they realize how good they can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='484432' first='Hailey' last='Dillow'] at middle/right side is the team captain and senior [player_tooltip player_id='484428' first='Lucy' last='Roy'] at 6-0 gives Greenup County a great option in the middle. The Musketeers also return senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484287' first='Kaylee' last='Braden'], senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='909947' first='Kami' last='Hammond'] and junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='612180' first='Emma' last='Sargent'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenup County opened the season with a district win over Russell. The Musketeers host West Carter on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Russell Red Devils (27-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell may have graduated three key seniors off last year's team, but always seems to be in the thick of the region race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils are led by senior middle/outside [player_tooltip player_id='535185' first='Jaycee' last='Hall'] and senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='877673' first='Brooklyn' last='Sizemore']. Junior Abigail Artis is the new libero and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='790980' first='Addi' last='Bayes'] hopes to step in at defensive specialist. Hitter [player_tooltip player_id='817467' first='Nyna' last='Vorndran'] is out for the season with an injury, but junior [player_tooltip player_id='842767' first='Heidi' last='Brown'] hopes to step in as a pin hitter with sophomore Mallory Wells setting and freshman Harper Music playing outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Kacie Mullins said the returning players understand that helping the program move forward is about more than what happens on the court. Mullins added they set the tone in practice, hold each other accountable, encourage the younger players and help establish the work ethic and culture desired. Mullins also said she's seen them take more ownership recently by communicating, leading by example and looking for ways to make their teammates better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell dropped a 3-1 home decision to Greenup County to open the season, but hopes to bounce back at home against Boyd County on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raceland Rams (13-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams may have had their struggles last season, missing out on the region tournament for the first time since 2020. However, the Rams do return a sound middle blocker in [player_tooltip player_id='848098' first='Allayson' last='Rigsby'] and senior outside/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='1006236' first='Camerynn' last='Gillum'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore Sophia Hicks will be the setter after playing outside last season. Senior Mia Adkins will step in at defensive specialist and junior Presleigh Deweese also expect to step forward this season. Head coach Katee Neltner-Arthur said the upperclassmen have been big leaders. Arthur added the underclassmen need to step forward and gel with them together as a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raceland opens the season on Thursday against Rowan County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis County Lions (6-24)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis County may have dropped a 3-1 decision at Bracken County to open the season, but head coach Ryan Bentley said he saw many positives for the team to build off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions jumped out to a nice lead in the first set, but could not sustain the momentum. Bentley said he felt like the Lions played well, but things should start to smooth out now the team is past the first game jitters. He'd like to see the team work off momentum, noting there were several times they went on a good run and lost that momentum quickly with consecutive errors. Bentley said there is talent on the team and he's excited to see the progress through the year and to keep building their confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis County returns senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='535186' first='Khalee' last='Stamper'], senior outside/right side [player_tooltip player_id='842778' first='Ireland' last='Kelly'] along with sophomore middle/setter [player_tooltip player_id='962447' first='Lillie' last='Bentley']. Coach Bentley said to also watch out for freshman libero Myla Clark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis County hosts Nicholas County on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":702975,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/KayleeBraden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-702975" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>62nd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Carter Comets (15-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas Flannery takes over a program that is young, but comes in off a district championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets are led by sophomores Macie Greene at right side/setter, outside hitter Piper Rayburn and [player_tooltip player_id='797667' first='Payton' last='Layne'] at middle/defensive specialist. Flannery also said to watch out for freshman middle/setter Miley Henderson. Flannery said he's liking the overall athleticism of the entire varsity roster. He noted there is some major potential for repetitive explosive attacking at the net and out of the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets travel to Greenup County on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Carter Raiders (6-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Carter had its struggles last season. New head coach Dustin Howard comes in hoping to change that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard said the team is making great strides in communication and team bonding. Howard added they have been logging the hours to better themselves on and off the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard has a nice senior middle blocker in [player_tooltip player_id='781382' first='Alexis' last='Bond']. Howard said sophomore middle Haddison Hall also emerged in the loss to Fleming County on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Carter started the season with two losses. The next game is Thursday at home against Bath County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan County Cougars (7-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shandra Whitehouse is another new head coach in the district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She has two nice seniors in setter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='782496' first='Brooklyn' last='Burton'] and setter Chloe Dye to work with. The Cougars have a nice group of seniors that also include Annabelle King and Lindsey Styer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan County is 1-1 to start the season. The Cougars travel to Magoffin County on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elliott County Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott County is fielding a team for the first time in years. Brianna Maggard is the head coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have a young team with one junior and no seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They started the season with a loss to Boyd County. The next game is Thursday at home against Fleming County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>61st District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fleming County Panthers (12-23)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers graduated 10 seniors, but head coach Tanna Higginbotham some talent in sophomore defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='911980' first='Haleigh' last='Thrasher'], senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='776906' first='Bobbi' last='Applegate'] and senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='930474' first='Kayla' last='Knarr'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Higginbotham said those three have been great leaders on and off the court. She said the incoming players have brought great attitudes and a fire to compete every day in practice, adding the focus has been building trust on the court in the preseason. Higginbotham added it's a work in progress, but she credits the girls for doing great building that culture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fleming County started the season with a 3-0 win over East Carter and travels to Elliott County on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Menifee County Cats (2-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone two wins of the season for the Cats came against Bath County. New head coach Jacqulyn Parsons can build around sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='930477' first='Mallory' last='Cooper'] and sophomore setter Emmi Wells.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game on the schedule is Aug. 25 at home against East Carter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bath County Cats (2-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cats struggled with serve reception last year and knows that needs corrected to move things forward. The good news is head coach Jonathan Sorrell only had two seniors with one being kills leader Lillian Dickerson. Freshman libero Maddisynn Middleton put together a nice season defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bath County is 0-2 on the season and the next game is Thursday at East Carter.</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":["794222"],"_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-6a85f25fd9a7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Layman looked ready to step in over the summer and help keep up a sound Ashland defense. She does not hide behind blocks. Layman does a good job making adjustments on redirected balls. She plants her feet and swings her arms to the sides of needed to dig up balls. Layman showed she can handle hard and off shots. Layman also sends across nice float serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697081"],"_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-6a85f5ba756cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Breeze (pictured at top) has good spacing from the net and takes her swings, she puts on hitting clinics. However, she developed nice off shots and her court awareness has also improved and it showed in the season opener against Montgomery County. Breeze does not hit directly into blocks. She tools them and attacks holes in them. Breeze is not afraid to use her off (left) hand to surprise defenders and shoves overpassed balls to open areas of the court. Breeze shoves balls to deep corners and other open areas and takes quality out of system swings. She's working on a cut shot. Once she lands that with consistency, that will take her game to a new level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754849"],"_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-6a85f5ba7577a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Porter returns with varsity experience and will be counted on to help the inexperienced varsity players figure things out at that level after the graduation of a huge senior class from last season. Porter does a good job running the offense and her versatility could turn into a valuable asset for the Lions this fall. Porter takes nice out of system swings and uses her off (left) hand to surprise opponents. Porter also does a good job tooling blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484287"],"_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-6a85ffd152616"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braden (bottom picture) gives the Musketeers nice size and they are trying to take advantage of it. She has a an explosive approach, gets on top of balls and pounds them off the floor. Braden takes advantage of one-on-one opportunities when blockers key on teammates. Braden mixes in nice off shots. She delivers on the outside and middle. She is not afraid to shove balls off blocks and puts down overpassed balls with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["797667"],"_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-6a860710b500d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Layne is sound on first touches for West Carter. Her versatility helped the Comets last season. She hits from the back row and sends over sharp line shots. She keeps defenses guessing mixing in nice off shots. Layne does not hesitate to shove balls to open areas of the court if they are there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region Fast Facts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions:</strong>&nbsp;8-23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Region Crowns since 2003:&nbsp;</strong>Russell with seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->