SOKY Slam: Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen-County Scottsville recently hosted their classic SOKY Slam tournament, and it was clear how much talent was in that gym. I liked traveling to this tournament because I saw all of the smaller Kentucky schools competing at such a high level. These schools may not be ranked, but these teams had some athletes and what I like to call- hidden gems. Here are four studs that stood out to me at SOKY Slam. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210631' first='Ava' last='Fazio']- </strong>Apollo middle hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='210631' first='Ava' last='Fazio'], was clearly one of the best middle hitters at the tournament as just a sophomore. Fazio was an offensive weapon against Grayson County and Campbellsville where she racked up 15 total kills and 4 blocks in the two games combined. The very first skill you learn as a middle hitter is not to hit straight down the center of the court, and wow, does Fazio really take that meaning to a whole new level. She's so good about keeping her elbow up and hitting that left back spot or choosing to swing cut back if the set is pushed across. [player_tooltip player_id='210631' first='Ava' last='Fazio'] spreads out her offensive game which significantly helps Apollo in every way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127203' first='Lillie' last='Payne']- </strong>A star outside for Grayson County, senior, [player_tooltip player_id='127203' first='Lillie' last='Payne'], proved to be one of the top hitters in the region. Notice how I said hitter and not a specialized position because [player_tooltip player_id='127203' first='Lillie' last='Payne'] is that good where she can hit from any angle and get a kill. My favorite part about Lillie is she's not afraid to swing. In the big moments, she's going for it. If she's out of system, she's going for it. If the team needs her, she's going for it. Payne may be a senior, but her potential in volleyball as a whole is through the roof. Lillie has a natural ability to find the ball wherever she's set and then crush it through any block. [player_tooltip player_id='127203' first='Lillie' last='Payne'] is unafraid and fearless, and that's exactly the type of player you want in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miley Hash- </strong>Leading her team to the finals of the SOKY tournament against Russell County, Miley Hash flew around in the back row for the Campbellsville Lady Eagles. As a sophomore libero, Hash motivates her team by digging or even just touching as many balls as possible. Hash can easily sway a game by frustrating the other side of the net with her defense and determination to dig the ball. Statistics were not kept for this game, but against Russell County earlier in the season, Hash racked up 20 digs in just three sets. Her numbers show it but also her hard work ethic and tenacious mind prove it on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Hart- </strong>This junior setter from Russell County does not get enough recognition. Leading her squad to a 20-2 season and tallying 468 total assists, Avery Hart definitely made herself known at the SOKY tournament. One thing I loved about her is how well she spread out the offense. Being a setter is just plain hard sometimes because you want to set the big hitter, but you also have other attackers that can put a ball away to throw the defense off a bit. Hart does a great job handling all of the pressure, and the stats even show it where three of the five main hitters have 100 kills. Avery is very good at her job, but also her heart and determination show out on the volleyball court, and it's just contagious to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, Russell County ended up taking the gold against Campbellsville in a strong match-up. Then, Grayson County took down Apollo in a three set thriller to win third place. What a great day of volleyball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->