13th Region QF Recap: All but one district champ advances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nothing too unusual happened Saturday in this round at South Laurel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This region had seen all 3-0 scores the previous two years in the quarterfinals. That trend continued with the exception of the final game as 50th District powers Whitley County and Corbin took steps closer to a seventh straight meeting for the region championship. Whitley County has won it four years in a row and Corbin had won it the previous five years from 2017 to 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The difference from last year is there are two different opponents in the region semifinals. Bell County is back in the semifinals for the first time in two years and Knox Central won a region quarterfinal game for the first time since 2019. Bell County plays Whitley County at 6 p.m. with Knox Central and Corbin following at 7:30 p.m. Monday back at South Laurel. The region championship game is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bell County 3, Clay County 0</strong> <strong>(25-16, 25-9, 25-13)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats won with balance as senior setter Reece Jasick has guided the offense all season. [player_tooltip player_id='915776' first='Emma' last='Winkler'], Bristal Jordan and [player_tooltip player_id='948266' first='Adyson' last='Scott'] lead the team in kills with Bailee Miracle leading things in the back row. Amelia Ridings and Hailee Daniels have 300 or more digs on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay County made it back to the region tournament for the first time since 2015 with a team made of eight sophomores. The two seniors are Madison Penland and [player_tooltip player_id='812108' first='Cambria' last='Forman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitley County 3, Pineville 0</strong> <strong>(25-2, 25-14, 25-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonels dominate opponents with their fast-paced offense as [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac'], [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] have tons of Open level experience in the club and that shows on a daily basis. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] has more than 1000 assists on the season also dishing off balls to [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'] and [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'] as the team came into the region tournament with a .254 hitting percentage. [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] anchors the back row along with [player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pineville made it back to the region tournament after missing out last season. [player_tooltip player_id='900803' first='Braelyn' last='Fain'], [player_tooltip player_id='752963' first='Brynlee' last='Sizemore'], [player_tooltip player_id='608900' first='Jaycee' last='Caldwell'], Alexis Brown and Peyshaunce Frimpong had at least 101 kills entering the region tournament. Ciela Amaya and Audrey Yates led the way in setting with Alexis Brown leading the team in digs. Alyssa Obenshain also played a nice roll in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corbin 3, North Laurel 0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhounds may be back in the semifinals, but the Jaguars made them earn it. [player_tooltip player_id='890925' first='Harper' last='Newcomb'] sets up a balanced attack with [player_tooltip player_id='890400' first='Annabelle' last='Griffin'], [player_tooltip player_id='535272' first='Laura' last='Newcomb'], Presley Griffin, [player_tooltip player_id='811207' first='Aubree' last='Clemens'] and Arabella Clemens taking quality swings. [player_tooltip player_id='897255' first='Tatum' last='Strain'] anchors the defense with [player_tooltip player_id='793870' first='Emma' last='Wilder'], [player_tooltip player_id='915757' first='Izzy' last='Evans'] and Lucy Jo Linville making nice contributions on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Laurel receives sound all-around play from freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='911364' first='Khloe' last='Blair']. Makayla Clark, Harleigh Smith and Morgan Preston lead the Jaguars offensively with freshman Addison Thornhill providing a nice blocking presence. Baylee Asher, Mykah Napier, [player_tooltip player_id='796277' first='Lily' last='Joyner'] and Brali Crusenberry have all made nice contributions on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knox Central 3, Harlan County 2 (25-14, 29-31, 25-12, 18-25, 15-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers survived behind the hitting from [player_tooltip player_id='535274' first='Kennadi' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='612187' first='Blakely' last='Castle']'s setting and [player_tooltip player_id='915781' first='Amelia' last='Ledford']'s play at libero. Jones also made some nice defensive plays. Madisyn Hubbard has also made some nice contributions on defense with Charis Frederick also taking some nice swings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harlan County made it back to the region tournament despite a rough season that saw the Black Bears unable to use the home gym because the roof is being worked on. [player_tooltip player_id='603869' first='Madi' last='Nolan'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='612091' first='Ashlynn' last='Williamson'] paved the way for Harlan County this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["915776"],"_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-6add7e5700f9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Winkler (pictured) brings a diverse skill set to the Bobcats. She executes bump and overhead passes and takes quality swings. Winkler has done a better job getting on top of balls to put more power into them this season to compliment her defense. Winkler said she worked on trying to terminate balls better before the season. Winkler added the team chemistry has improved this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603768"],"_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-6add7f282fd89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice has great touch on her sets. Rice puts balls at high attack points so hitters can power over and around blockers. She continues to strengthen connections with the hitters and makes the most of balls in or out of system. Rice showed good leadership Saturday making sure the Colonels played their game and did not fall into any temptations of letting up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["890400"],"_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-6add839065a1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin delivers powerful swings on ones and gets her hands on a lot of blocks. Griffin has a nice vertical jump and connection with the hitter to rise up and put over powerful swings before blockers get up. Griffin also shows great enthusiasm on the court. Griffin said school conditioning programs and getting extra training outside of school has helped her develop that nice vertical jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["911364"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1055769,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6add839065a93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blair has turned into a sound six-rotation player for the Jaguars. Blair executes a variety of short and long sets and does a good job trailing plays. Blair hustles hard after balls and puts down overpassed balls with authority. Blair is coachable and made some nice solo blocks in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535274"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1055772,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6add8534d6850"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones gets on top of balls and pounds balls down lines and crosses to side lines. She gives Knox Central nice six-rotation play. Jones tips to various spots on the floor and makes good in-air adjustments to shove balls to corners. Jones does a nice job encouraging teammates and has nice form on solo block attempts. Jones said she struggled to hit around the block during the game, but made things happen when she did. Jones said her wrist snap has improved this season.</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 -->