Five Region Quarterfinal Match-ups to Watch

<!-- 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>The region quarterfinals begin today all over the Volunteer State. Wins in these games extend the postseason by a minimum of two more games as region championship teams qualify for the sub-state games. These are five battles worth checking out in Division I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AAA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rhea County (25-11) at Bradley Central (33-5), 4:30 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The teams split during the regular season with the home teams winning each game. That may favor the Bears in the rubber match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1051137' first='Zaylee' last='Wilkey'] leads the offensive attack for the Golden Eagles. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='837365' first='Rolley' last='Thurman'] is also having a nice season for Rhea County with Kindle Rumer doing the majority of the setting. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='808594' first='Ella' last='Kelley'] leads Rhea County in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bears are loaded with senior hitters [player_tooltip player_id='835165' first='Ma'ryah' last='Greenwood'], [player_tooltip player_id='803842' first='Tabitha' last='Eaves'], Addi Staton and Elizabeth Volynets. [player_tooltip player_id='793469' first='Elisea' last='Messer'] and Lilly Winters have done a lot of the setting along with Lexi Patterson. The defense has been solid led by [player_tooltip player_id='799834' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='808752' first='Jenna' last='Belcher'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dobyns-Bennett (26-10) at Sevier County (23-6), 5 p.m. EST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tradition-rich Indians hope to make it back to state behind the dynamic trio of [player_tooltip player_id='803020' first='Milly' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='805865' first='Jess' last='Harden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939361' first='Norah' last='Shook']. [player_tooltip player_id='1021272' first='Madison' last='Sykes'], [player_tooltip player_id='960858' first='Hadley' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='960853' first='Kendyl' last='Alley'] give Dobyns-Bennett great balance. [player_tooltip player_id='960855' first='Reese' last='Hatcher'] and Anna Wackowski have handled a lot of the setting with [player_tooltip player_id='805067' first='Caroline' last='Smith'] helping Dobyns-Bennett on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Smokey Bears could come away with a win if [player_tooltip player_id='948420' first='Colette' last='Messenger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='836225' first='Millie' last='Janse Van Rensburg'] get to take a number of sound swings. [player_tooltip player_id='800880' first='Ally' last='Koch'] anchors the back row with [player_tooltip player_id='833594' first='Kaliyah' last='Burden'], [player_tooltip player_id='811244' first='Aubrey' last='Shuford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832240' first='Gemma' last='Osborne'] giving Sevier County nice offensive balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crockett County (20-10) at Lakeland Prep (20-9), 6:30 p.m. CST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers are led by [player_tooltip player_id='959322' first='Wesley' last='Thornton'] along with setter [player_tooltip player_id='988551' first='Lakyn' last='Forsythe']. [player_tooltip player_id='816413' first='Madi' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='988552' first='Emilee' last='Chandler'] also give Crockett County some nice swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have the dynamic [player_tooltip player_id='1051147' first='Olivia' last='Reyes'] to go with Kaiya Rogers. Adrianne <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tn/lakeland/lakeland-preparatory-lions/athletes/arianne-guimaraes/?careerid=7jlcaiinn3r33">Guimaraes</a> leads things on defense and the setter is Emma Morgan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson County (24-9) vs. East Robertson at Trousdale County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils have loaded up for a run to state going 12-0 in district play then storming to the District 7 tournament crown. [player_tooltip player_id='945393' first='Eva' last='Wilson'] gives the Blue Devils nice all-around play with [player_tooltip player_id='945396' first='Jules' last='Looper'] making a lot of things happen at the net. [player_tooltip player_id='945394' first='Lillianne' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='998329' first='Paisleigh' last='Ward'] also give Jackson County some nice all-around play. [player_tooltip player_id='945395' first='Bella' last='Chaffin'] is the setter with Abbie Watson and Rylee Lynn helping to give the Blue Devils a strong defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='943175' first='Morgan' last='Ryan'] leads the determined Indians with nice all-around play. [player_tooltip player_id='943176' first='Izzy' last='Smith'] is the primary setter with Hallie Bruce leading the way on defense. Erin Morgan also gives East Robertson nice back row play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Boiling Springs at Trousdale County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellowjackets split with East Robertson during the regular season before beating the Indians in the District 8 in title game. [player_tooltip player_id='792738' first='Callie' last='Griffin'] is a force on defense along with [player_tooltip player_id='796741' first='Maggie' last='Linville']. [player_tooltip player_id='968814' first='Mileigh' last='Potts'] is a force at the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Red Boiling Springs has a quality win over Monterey on its way to the region tournament. They could put up a fight in this game.</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":["948420"],"_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-6acd49083ab77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Messenger uses her size and athleticism to control the net. Messenger puts over strong using a great vertical jump before blocks form to the side lines, especially on ones and gap shots. Her teammates can count on her to terminate balls when big points are needed. Messenger does a good job tipping over blockers. She is also a strong blocker. Messenger reads hitters well and uses her vertical and aggressive play to time up blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051137"],"_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-6acd3dc0b641f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilkey makes a lot of things happen on go routes. Wilkey has a sound four-step approach then whips balls into seams against constant double blocks. Wilkey takes hard line swings and tips balls to shallow two zones if defensive specialists are playing back. Wilkey has also shown she can take nice donut shots from the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051147"],"_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-6acd49083abcb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reyes gives the Lions sound all-around play. Reyes comes in off fakes and pounds balls to different zones on the court. Reyes puts good zips into balls on go routes. Reyes attacks seams with precision and sends good off shots to the back row. She's tough to defend because she smacks across tough crosses as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943175"],"_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-6acd5054ba02e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan gives the Indians a great lift leading by example. She gives a great effort every time she takes the court. Ryan tools blocks and sends nice off shots to the back row. Ryan puts nice cut shots to the four zones on go routes and sends quality out of system roll shots to deep corners. Ryan also hits hard crosses and line shots from both pins. Ryan pushes overpassed balls away from opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792738"],"_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-6acd54e9478e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin mainly played libero during club season. Trousdale County still uses her athleticism on first touches to help the team succeed. However, her versatility has been a key for the Yellowjackets this year. Griffin takes nice, controlled swings for Trousdale County. Griffin sends good off shots to deep corners. Griffin takes her time on swings and tools blocks. She also puts nice tips over double blocks.</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>&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 -->