First Round State Tournament Match-Ups

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: <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>. For 25 percent off, type ET26Mike25OFF at checkout.   There may be better alternatives than blind draws to determine state tournament match-ups. However, that luck has made it so two of the Dominant Five could meet in the state championship Saturday night. Although that is not a given, it's often been that way historically. While Assumption may still be the team to beat as the three-time defending state champions and their name alone intimidates people, the Rockets can't take the floor thinking opponents will lady down. This is a breakdown of the first round state tournament games.   Quarterfinal Times on Friday   11 a.m. EST Winners   Rowan County (32-8) at Paintsville (34-6), 7:30 p.m. EST.   This will be a great match-up of two powerful outside hitters from each time. Rowan County boasts senior [player_tooltip player_id='535235' first='Belle' last='Mains'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='697081' first='Ella' last='Breeze'] while Paintsville has the dynamic senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='603814' first='Chloe' last='Reed'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253875' first='Kylie' last='Kinner'].   Both have experienced setters in [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] for Rowan County and [player_tooltip player_id='890171' first='Addison' last='Helton'] for Paintsville. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='781412' first='Eliza' last='McGillicuddy'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='898049' first='Kendall' last='Short'] also bring nice experience for the respective teams. [player_tooltip player_id='816699' first='Mallory' last='May'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742476' first='Annabelle' last='Blankenship'] have more than 100 kills each on the season for the Tigers with Raylee Withrow doing the same thing for Rowan County. Trinity Leon has also helped solidify things in the back row for Rowan County.   Mercy (28-7) at Elizabethtown (31-5), 6 p.m. CST.   Mercy won the Sept. 28 meeting, 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16) at the same spot as this game. In that game, [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'] had nine kills and [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] added eight.   The Jaguars are tough when they control the net. [player_tooltip player_id='771907' first='Riley' last='Phipps'], [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'], [player_tooltip player_id='785485' first='Gracie' last='Sciortino'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939013' first='Josie' last='Hans'] give Mercy great balance with [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] and Herbert doing a good job running the offense. [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] does a good job controlling the back row.   [player_tooltip player_id='611962' first='Stella' last='Janes'] has stepped into to nicely run the offense for the Panthers. They feature two dynamic hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1044557' first='Nevaeh' last='Anderson']. Janes also sets Charleigh Whalen, [player_tooltip player_id='941198' first='Kylee' last='Dordor'], [player_tooltip player_id='789089' first='Haylee' last='McAlister'] and [player_tooltip player_id='752957' first='Anna' last='Cammack'] for big swings. The Panthers may need that balance to advance to the state quarterfinals. [player_tooltip player_id='661582' first='Layla' last='Newsome'], [player_tooltip player_id='789059' first='Bailey' last='Graham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612201' first='Adelyn' last='Holley'] anchor the back row for Elizabethtown. Dordor and McAlister lead Elizabethtown in blocks.   1:30 p.m. EST Winners   North Oldham (18-12) at Assumption (36-3), 6:30 p.m. EST.   The Mustangs battled injuries among other things to make it back to the state tournament. They will not have lefty outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484260' first='Lilah' last='Anthony'], who has played for the KIVA Red teams for years, but they do have plenty of players that have open experience at the club level.   [player_tooltip player_id='724992' first='Berkeley' last='Baxter'] and Arianna Paul both do a good job setting up the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='875414' first='Hannah' last='Droppelman'], [player_tooltip player_id='774992' first='Annalise' last='Austin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='780301' first='Allie' last='Cannon'] for big swings. The defense led by [player_tooltip player_id='789088' first='Brooklyn' last='Totten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='547082' first='Ashlyn' last='Thompson'] will have to have huge games for the Mustangs to overcome the mountain on the road.   The Rockets come into the game as hot as ever with none of their three losses coming against Kentucky teams. Assumption setter [player_tooltip player_id='603778' first='Addison' last='Hurley'] has stepped in nicely to distribute the ball and make opponents cover every square inch of the court. [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'] provide two sound options in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='611743' first='Taylor' last='McKenzie'], [player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'], [player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] taking big swings on the outside. Codey, [player_tooltip player_id='484323' first='Cheyenne' last='Reyes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484322' first='Madelyn' last='Faulkner'] anchor things in the back row.   Christian County (26-13) at McCracken County (24-15), 6 p.m. CST.   Izzy Meyers guided the Mustangs to yet another region championship not even a year removed from playing at Transylvania University. [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'] have done a nice job guiding McCracken County on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='1022305' first='McCoy' last='Gregory'] sets things up nicely for powerful hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Kambell' last='Dunning'], [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'], [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='964629' first='Kyndal' last='Hite'].   The Tigers have come together with the merger of Hopkinsville and Christian County High schools. [player_tooltip player_id='877548' first='Bailey' last='Brown'] is one of the most sound sophomore setters in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='603865' first='Peyton' last='Owens'], [player_tooltip player_id='930505' first='Autumn' last='Cook'] and [player_tooltip player_id='996193' first='Avery' last='Cook'] leading the defense. Brown has plenty of offensive options led by [player_tooltip player_id='816530' first='Madysen' last='Taggart'], [player_tooltip player_id='908504' first='Kiley' last='Lambert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612020' first='Taylor' last='Cantrell']. Rheagan Bozell, Samyriah Walker and Carly Armstrong also have at least 102 kills on the season.   5 p.m. EST Winners   Bishop Brossart (36-3) at Notre Dame (25-11), 7 p.m. EST.   The Mustangs have set all sorts of school records dominating the 10th Region for their second region championship in five years. They have the challenge of going against one of the state's Dominant Five on the road.   One big match-up will be Notre Dame middle [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] against Bishop Brossart senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='515259' first='Callie' last='Ritter']. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='484451' first='Aubrey' last='Rebholz'] is the one player that played in that first round state game for the Mustangs at Boyd County as an eighth grader in 2022. She distributes the ball well to [player_tooltip player_id='885299' first='Evelyn' last='Laker'], [player_tooltip player_id='891600' first='Audrey' last='Arnold'], [player_tooltip player_id='732580' first='Leah' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='988769' first='Claire' last='Decker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832519' first='Hailey' last='Heitker']. [player_tooltip player_id='587827' first='Grace' last='Frommeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='569742' first='Josie' last='Reckner'] hold down the back row for the Mustangs.   The X factor in this game could be Notre Dame senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik']. Kondik helped Notre Dame back to the state tournament with her back row hitting. [player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] also had nice swings in the region tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='1000647' first='Sophia' last='Bramlage'] also had some nice swings before going out with an injury in the region championship game.   West Jessamine (34-6) at Frederick Douglass (21-6), 7 p.m. EST.   The Colts are the experienced team at this level as Frederick Douglass is playing in the state tournament for the first time in the 10th season as a program.   West Jessamine has an experienced libero in [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'] to go with dynamic setter Taylor Snowden and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix']. The Colts have one of the state's top hitters in senior [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent']. [player_tooltip player_id='938777' first='Harper' last='Goins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'] have given the Colts nice balance all season.   When the Broncos get into a nice offensive rhythm, they can be tough to slow down. That starts in the back row with libero [player_tooltip player_id='776638' first='Shelby' last='Mays'] and continues with setter [player_tooltip player_id='611969' first='Jordan' last='McCrary']. [player_tooltip player_id='890370' first='Maryn' last='Dunham'] leads the loaded Frederick Douglass offense along with [player_tooltip player_id='535191' first='Urijah' last='Holman-Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='804730' first='Ava' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918929' first='Daleigh' last='Johnson']. [player_tooltip player_id='779983' first='Lyla' last='McMillen'] could be a huge kay in the front row for the Broncos.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp'] has vastly improved throughout the season for the Pandas as has the defense. Teams had success tipping over the front row players earlier in the season. The likes of [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'], [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] have cleaned that up lately.   7:30 p.m. EST Winners   Letcher County Central (29-8) at Whitley County (36-4), 7 p.m. EST.   The Cougars are back in the state tournament behind the play of dynamic freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id='762378' first='Piper' last='Adams']. [player_tooltip player_id='997324' first='Addy' last='Blevins'] also gives Letcher County Central nice play in the back row with Kelsi Holbrook handling the setting duties. [player_tooltip player_id='771734' first='Calissa' last='Lowe'], [player_tooltip player_id='603819' first='Hanna' last='Eldridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612103' first='Evany' last='Pack'] have given Letcher County Central nice all-around play the whole season with [player_tooltip player_id='941524' first='Chloe' last='Wright'], Zoey McCullum and others doing little things to help Letcher County Central drive back up the 14th Region mountain top.   The Cougars will have a huge challenge on their hands with senior 6-0 middle/outside [player_tooltip player_id='603744' first='Reagan' last='Isaac']. [player_tooltip player_id='877421' first='Shelbi' last='Carroll'] gives the Colonels sound all-around play with senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='603765' first='Khylea' last='Ray Collier'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='603768' first='Jonna' last='Rice'] setting things up with sound first and second touches. [player_tooltip player_id='948269' first='Jada' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='893446' first='Taryn' last='Bennett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917370' first='Makenzie' last='Mills'] have given the Colonels great balance, hitting .257 as a team. [player_tooltip player_id='998717' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] has also played a pivotal role helping Whitley County solidify things in the back row.   Bowling Green (32-7) at Apollo (37-3), 6 p.m. CST.   This will feature a great battle at the net between two dynamic outsides in Apollo senior [player_tooltip player_id='484301' first='Avery' last='Gray'] and Bowling Green junior [player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'].   [player_tooltip player_id='912220' first='Maddi' last='Roberts'] sets up the offense for the E-Gals with [player_tooltip player_id='888227' first='Keelan' last='Wettstain'] providing sound all-around play. [player_tooltip player_id='827770' first='Savannah' last='Denson'], [player_tooltip player_id='843275' first='Kinsley' last='Jackson'] and Ali Lawson give Apollo nice balance.   The Purples have nice size on the front row with [player_tooltip player_id='774363' first='Hadley' last='Beard'], [player_tooltip player_id='774166' first='Harper' last='Huffman'], [player_tooltip player_id='774157' first='Ainsley' last='Huffman'], [player_tooltip player_id='940279' first='Karter' last='Tooley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827008' first='Layah' last='Britt']. [player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='850607' first='Reese' last='Romine'] split up the sets with [player_tooltip player_id='890039' first='Katie' last='Yarbrough'] bringing things up in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='774161' first='Jaelyn' last='Page'] has also found her way into the mix for the Purples this season.   Players to Watch    Jackson handles well-struck four-to-four shots and displayed her consistency on defense and serve reception in the 9th Region championship game. Jackson has quick reactions on defense to square her arms up to balls to make smooth two to three-point passes. She moves her feet quickly, but stops in her tracks to make those solid first touches. Jackson does a great job making adjustments on redirected balls and lunges forward to make pancake digs when needed. Jackson gets her hands up quickly when teams try to push off shots over her head.     Henderson helps spread out the Frederick Douglass offense with her ability to tip balls to shallow zones on pipe plays. Henderson comes in off fakes and pounds balls hard into seams. Henderson takes back sets and tips balls to open shallow zones. Henderson is especially tough on go routes.     McGillicuddy may fly under the radar some, but she has played a huge role in helping the Valkyries win their first region championship since 2019. She showed that with 23 digs in the 16th Region championship game. McGillicuddy handles a variety of well-struck balls including ones. She controls the back row taking back steps to track down deep corner shots. McGillicuddy makes good adjustments on redirected balls and has quick reactions on defense. Lefties do not phase her.     Cook has helped give the Tigers sound play in the back row. Cook takes minimal steps to balls and makes a number of simple passes. Cook dives a good bit, but tries to send balls back toward the net. She does not hesitate to stick her arms out trying to close seams. Cook adds in a nice jump serve. Cook needs some work on her ball control, but that will come in time with her work ethic.     Collier is the constant in the back row that's helped the Colonels to success during her high school career. Collier reads hitters well and makes the simple passes. Collier makes good adjustments on redirected balls and does a nice job defending lines. Collier takes minimal steps to balls for two to three-point passes. Collier is not afraid to lunge after balls under control and sends free balls over with a purpose.    Note from Writer   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.

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: https://events.prepdig.com/e/2489/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-kentucky. For 25 percent off, type ET26Mike25OFF at checkout.

There may be better alternatives than blind draws to determine state tournament match-ups. However, that luck has made it so two of the Dominant Five could meet in the state championship Saturday night. Although that is not a given, it's often been that way historically. While Assumption may still be the team to beat as the three-time defending state champions and their name alone intimidates people, the Rockets can't take the floor thinking opponents will lady down. This is a breakdown of the first round state tournament games.

Quarterfinal Times on Friday

11 a.m. EST Winners

Rowan County (32-8) at Paintsville (34-6), 7:30 p.m. EST.

This will be a great match-up of two powerful outside hitters from each time. Rowan County boasts senior Belle Mains Belle Mains 5'8" | OH/DS/L Rowan County | 2027 State KY and junior Ella Breeze Ella Breeze 5'9" | OH/DS/L Rowan County | 2028 State KY while Paintsville has the dynamic senior duo of Chloe Reed Chloe Reed 6'0" | OH Paintsville | 2027 State KY and Kylie Kinner Kylie Kinner 5'10" | OH Paintsville | 2027 State KY .

Both have experienced setters in Mallory Jones Mallory Jones 5'7" | S/DS/L Rowan County | 2027 State KY for Rowan County and Addison Helton Addison Helton 5'9" | S Paintsville | 2029 KY for Paintsville. Senior Eliza McGillicuddy Eliza McGillicuddy 5'3" | DS/L Rowan County | 2028 State KY and sophomore Kendall Short Kendall Short 5'2" | DS/L Paintsville | 2029 KY also bring nice experience for the respective teams. Mallory May Mallory May 5'8" | MB Paintsville | 2027 State KY and Annabelle Blankenship Annabelle Blankenship 6'0" | MB/OH Paintsville | 2027 State KY have more than 100 kills each on the season for the Tigers with Raylee Withrow doing the same thing for Rowan County. Trinity Leon has also helped solidify things in the back row for Rowan County.

Mercy (28-7) at Elizabethtown (31-5), 6 p.m. CST.

Mercy won the Sept. 28 meeting, 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16) at the same spot as this game. In that game, Emma Cronen Emma Cronen 5'9" | OH/DS/L Mercy | 2028 State KY had nine kills and Nalani Derringer Nalani Derringer 5'10" | MB/OH Mercy | 2028 State KY added eight.

Stella Janes Stella Janes S/OH Elizabethtown | 2028 State KY has stepped into to nicely run the offense for the Panthers. They feature two dynamic hitters in Maci Singleton Maci Singleton OH/MB Elizabethtown | 2029 KY and Nevaeh Anderson Nevaeh Anderson 5'10" | OH Elizabethtown | 2029 KY . Janes also sets Charleigh Whalen, Kylee Dordor Kylee Dordor 6'0" | MB/RS Elizabethtown | 2029 KY , Haylee McAlister Haylee McAlister 5'7" | MB/RS Elizabethtown | 2027 KY and Anna Cammack Anna Cammack 5'9" | OH/RS Elizabethtown | 2029 KY for big swings. The Panthers may need that balance to advance to the state quarterfinals. Layla Newsome Layla Newsome DS/L Elizabethtown | 2028 State KY , Bailey Graham Bailey Graham 5'3" | DS/L Elizabethtown | 2029 KY and Adelyn Holley Adelyn Holley OH Elizabethtown | 2028 State KY anchor the back row for Elizabethtown. Dordor and McAlister lead Elizabethtown in blocks.

1:30 p.m. EST Winners

North Oldham (18-12) at Assumption (36-3), 6:30 p.m. EST.

The Mustangs battled injuries among other things to make it back to the state tournament. They will not have lefty outside hitter Lilah Anthony Lilah Anthony 6'0" | RS North Oldham | 2027 State KY , who has played for the KIVA Red teams for years, but they do have plenty of players that have open experience at the club level.

Berkeley Baxter Berkeley Baxter 6'2" | S/RS North Oldham | 2027 State KY and Arianna Paul both do a good job setting up the likes of Hannah Droppelman Hannah Droppelman 6'1" | MB North Oldham | 2029 KY , Annalise Austin Annalise Austin 5'8" | MB/OH North Oldham | 2027 State KY and Allie Cannon Allie Cannon 6'0" | OH North Oldham | 2029 KY for big swings. The defense led by Brooklyn Totten Brooklyn Totten 5'5" | DS/L North Oldham | 2029 KY and Ashlyn Thompson Ashlyn Thompson 5'3" | DS/L North Oldham | 2027 State KY will have to have huge games for the Mustangs to overcome the mountain on the road.

The Rockets come into the game as hot as ever with none of their three losses coming against Kentucky teams. Assumption setter Addison Hurley Addison Hurley 5'9" | S/DS/L Assumption | 2027 State KY has stepped in nicely to distribute the ball and make opponents cover every square inch of the court. Julia Lee Julia Lee 6'1" | MB/RS Assumption | 2028 State KY and Carle Hooe Carle Hooe 6'1" | MB Assumption | 2027 State KY provide two sound options in the middle with Taylor McKenzie Taylor McKenzie 5'8" | OH Assumption | 2028 State KY , Claire Kleinhenz Claire Kleinhenz 5'11" | OH/RS Assumption | 2029 KY , Emily Poteraj Emily Poteraj 5'11" | OH/RS Assumption | 2027 State KY and Brooke Codey Brooke Codey 5'8" | OH/DS/L Assumption | 2028 State #82 Nation KY taking big swings on the outside. Codey, Cheyenne Reyes Cheyenne Reyes 5'6" | DS/L/OH Assumption | 2027 State KY and Madelyn Faulkner Madelyn Faulkner 5'7" | DS/L Assumption | 2027 State KY anchor things in the back row.

Christian County (26-13) at McCracken County (24-15), 6 p.m. CST.

Izzy Meyers guided the Mustangs to yet another region championship not even a year removed from playing at Transylvania University. Mollie Canter Mollie Canter 5'6" | DS/L McCracken County | 2027 State KY and Caroline Presswood Caroline Presswood 5'5" | DS/L McCracken County | 2027 State KY have done a nice job guiding McCracken County on defense and McCoy Gregory McCoy Gregory 5'7" | S McCracken County | 2028 State KY sets things up nicely for powerful hitters like Kambell Dunning Kambell Dunning 5'7" | OH/RS McCracken County | 2027 State KY , Lilly Hamilton Lilly Hamilton 5'5" | OH/DS/L McCracken County | 2027 KY , Neely Nyberg Neely Nyberg 5'6" | OH/RS McCracken County | 2027 State KY and Kyndal Hite Kyndal Hite 5'11" | OH McCracken County | 2029 KY .

The Tigers have come together with the merger of Hopkinsville and Christian County High schools. Bailey Brown Bailey Brown 5'10" | S/OH Christian County | 2029 KY is one of the most sound sophomore setters in the state with Peyton Owens Peyton Owens 5'3" | DS/L/S Christian County | 2027 State KY , Autumn Cook Autumn Cook DS/L Christian County | 2028 KY and Avery Cook Avery Cook 5'4" | DS/L/S Christian County | 2031 KY leading the defense. Brown has plenty of offensive options led by Madysen Taggart Madysen Taggart MB/OH Christian County | 2027 KY , Kiley Lambert Kiley Lambert OH Christian County | 2029 KY and Taylor Cantrell Taylor Cantrell 5'11" | MB Christian County | 2028 State KY . Rheagan Bozell, Samyriah Walker and Carly Armstrong also have at least 102 kills on the season.

5 p.m. EST Winners

Bishop Brossart (36-3) at Notre Dame (25-11), 7 p.m. EST.

The Mustangs have set all sorts of school records dominating the 10th Region for their second region championship in five years. They have the challenge of going against one of the state's Dominant Five on the road.

The X factor in this game could be Notre Dame senior outside hitter Teagan Kondik Teagan Kondik 6'1" | OH/RS Notre Dame | 2027 State #190 Nation KY . Kondik helped Notre Dame back to the state tournament with her back row hitting. Ellie Breitling Ellie Breitling 5'11" | OH/MB Notre Dame | 2029 KY and Emma Redlinger Emma Redlinger 5'11" | MB/OH Notre Dame | 2028 State KY also had nice swings in the region tournament. Sophia Bramlage Sophia Bramlage 5'7" | MB Notre Dame | 2030 KY also had some nice swings before going out with an injury in the region championship game.

West Jessamine (34-6) at Frederick Douglass (21-6), 7 p.m. EST.

The Colts are the experienced team at this level as Frederick Douglass is playing in the state tournament for the first time in the 10th season as a program.

West Jessamine has an experienced libero in Ava Smith Ava Smith 5'4" | DS/L West Jessamine | 2029 KY to go with dynamic setter Taylor Snowden and defensive specialist Delaney Dix Delaney Dix 5'3" | DS/L West Jessamine | 2027 State KY . The Colts have one of the state's top hitters in senior Ashlyn Crutcher Ashlyn Crutcher 5'10" | MB/OH West Jessamine | 2027 State KY and Kayla Avent Kayla Avent 5'9" | OH/RS West Jessamine | 2028 State KY . Harper Goins Harper Goins 5'9" | MB/OH West Jessamine | 2030 KY and Dani Long Dani Long 5'10" | RS West Jessamine | 2027 State KY have given the Colts nice balance all season.

Setter Ellie Osterkamp Ellie Osterkamp 5'8" | S/DS/L Notre Dame | 2027 State KY has vastly improved throughout the season for the Pandas as has the defense. Teams had success tipping over the front row players earlier in the season. The likes of Kaia Tilden Kaia Tilden 5'9" | DS/L/OH Notre Dame | 2028 State KY , Dara Jackson Dara Jackson 5'8" | DS/L/OH Notre Dame | 2028 State KY and Elise Grout Elise Grout 5'7" | DS/L/OH Notre Dame | 2029 KY have cleaned that up lately.

7:30 p.m. EST Winners

Letcher County Central (29-8) at Whitley County (36-4), 7 p.m. EST.

The Cougars are back in the state tournament behind the play of dynamic freshman libero Piper Adams Piper Adams 5'5" | DS/L Letcher County Central | 2030 KY . Addy Blevins Addy Blevins 5'2" | DS/L/S Letcher County Central | 2028 State KY also gives Letcher County Central nice play in the back row with Kelsi Holbrook handling the setting duties. Calissa Lowe Calissa Lowe 5'10" | MB/OH Letcher County Central | 2027 State KY , Hanna Eldridge Hanna Eldridge 5'9" | OH/MB Letcher County Central | 2027 State KY and Evany Pack Evany Pack 5'10" | OH Letcher County Central | 2028 State KY have given Letcher County Central nice all-around play the whole season with Chloe Wright Chloe Wright 5'7" | S/RS Letcher County Central | 2030 KY , Zoey McCullum and others doing little things to help Letcher County Central drive back up the 14th Region mountain top.

The Cougars will have a huge challenge on their hands with senior 6-0 middle/outside Reagan Isaac Reagan Isaac 6'0" | OH/MB Whitley County | 2027 State KY . Shelbi Carroll Shelbi Carroll 5'6" | OH/DS/L Whitley County | 2029 KY gives the Colonels sound all-around play with senior libero Khylea Ray Collier Khylea Ray Collier DS/L Whitley County | 2027 State KY and setter Jonna Rice Jonna Rice 5'9" | S Whitley County | 2027 State KY setting things up with sound first and second touches. Jada Smith Jada Smith 5'6" | OH Whitley County | 2027 State KY , Taryn Bennett Taryn Bennett 5'10" | MB Whitley County | 2030 KY and Makenzie Mills Makenzie Mills 5'10" | MB/OH Whitley County | 2029 KY have given the Colonels great balance, hitting .257 as a team. Jordan Smith Jordan Smith 5'7" | RS/DS/L Whitley County | 2027 State KY has also played a pivotal role helping Whitley County solidify things in the back row.

Bowling Green (32-7) at Apollo (37-3), 6 p.m. CST.

This will feature a great battle at the net between two dynamic outsides in Apollo senior Avery Gray Avery Gray 5'11" | OH/DS/L Apollo | 2027 State KY and Bowling Green junior Chayse Gilliland Chayse Gilliland 6'1" | OH/S Bowling Green | 2028 State #78 Nation KY .

Maddi Roberts Maddi Roberts S Apollo | 2027 State KY sets up the offense for the E-Gals with Keelan Wettstain Keelan Wettstain 5'6" | OH Apollo | 2029 KY providing sound all-around play. Savannah Denson Savannah Denson MB Apollo | 2027 KY , Kinsley Jackson Kinsley Jackson RS/MB Apollo | 2027 KY and Ali Lawson give Apollo nice balance.

Players to Watch

Dara Jackson

KY #9

DS/L/OH #2

HEIGHT 5'8"

POS DS/L/OH

CLASS 2028

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Dara Jackson

State: Kentucky

School: Notre Dame

Club: Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club (NKYVC)

Jackson handles well-struck four-to-four shots and displayed her consistency on defense and serve reception in the 9th Region championship game. Jackson has quick reactions on defense to square her arms up to balls to make smooth two to three-point passes. She moves her feet quickly, but stops in her tracks to make those solid first touches. Jackson does a great job making adjustments on redirected balls and lunges forward to make pancake digs when needed. Jackson gets her hands up quickly when teams try to push off shots over her head.

Highlights

Ava Henderson

OH/RS

HEIGHT 5'11"

POS OH/RS

CLASS 2027

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Ava Henderson

State: Kentucky

School: Frederick Douglass

Club: Alpha Performance Volleyball Club

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Highlights

Eliza McGillicuddy

DS/L

HEIGHT 5'3"

POS DS/L

CLASS 2028

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Eliza McGillicuddy

State: Kentucky

School: Rowan County

Club: Lexington United (LUV)

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Highlights

Avery Cook

HEIGHT 5'4"

POS DS/L/S

CLASS 2031

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Avery Cook

State: Kentucky

School: Christian County

Club: Kentucky Performance Volleyball Club (KPV)

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Highlights

Khylea Ray Collier

DS/L

POS DS/L

CLASS 2027

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Khylea Ray Collier

State: Kentucky

School: Whitley County

Club: Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy East (SKEVA East)

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Highlights

Note from Writer

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 @prepdigkentucky, @prepdigtennessee or @prepdigoh 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.