6th Region Crown: Mercy looks to continue impressive streak

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a streak that may be unmatched around the country, let alone Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mercy Jaguars have been to the state tournament 43 years in a row and grand total of 44 out of the 45 tournaments only missing it in 1980 in just the second year of it. However, the streak nearly ended last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East beat Mercy for the 24th District championship in five games then took Mercy to a fifth game on the home court in the region championship. The Jaguars, though, prevailed to win yet another region championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars only graduated one senior off last year's 22-21 squad so they hope to improve even more this season. They again play a loaded schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Connie Hulsmeyer said consistency setting the ball will be the big key to success for the Jaguars because they are loaded with hitters. Junior 6-0 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden'] leads the way after posing 309 kills and 97 blocks including 34 solo last year. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='477137' first='Alyssa' last='Carter'], sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling'], junior opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479301' first='Allison' last='O'Shea'] and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='479300' first='Jenna' last='Hawkins'] all return after posting at least 179 kills last year. Hulsmeyer also said sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603781' first='Ellie' last='Sharpe'] has been playing multiple positions and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] will also make a big impact at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='245633' first='Maia' last='Marin'] and junior Addie Davis lead the way as setters after posting 641 and 419 assists, respectively last year. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='172954' first='Madisyn' last='Green'] returns after leading the Jaguars with 785 digs and 63 aces. Senior defensive specialists Nora Smith and is also back after digging up 162 balls last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy opens the season at West Jessamine on Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24th District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt East (29-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers ended Mercy's run of district championships that dated back over 40 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll move forward now after graduating seven seniors from last year, but the Chargers do return the dynamic junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='479302' first='Brinlee' last='Marshall']. She had 297 kills, 368 digs and 79 aces last year. Senior defensive specialists Kelsey Gorter and [player_tooltip player_id='734303' first='Jaylen' last='Wheatley'] also return with significant varsity experience after digging up 206 and 197 balls, respectively last year. Senior middle blocker Skyler Culver is also back after blocking 53 balls last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers have nine seniors overall. Alexis Kowalczuk is taking over the libero spot and [player_tooltip player_id='734327' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] is setting. Shelby Parker, Courtney Bass and [player_tooltip player_id='612013' first='Sophie' last='Gorter'] hope to make an impact at right hitter with Camryn DeMuesy looking to contribute at right side hitter or middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Wally Adams said he's been pleased with how fast the team plays along with their ball control. He said the high IQ will lead to smart plays that keep opponents off-balance. He's also been pleased with the seniors taken the younger players under their wings. Sophomore middle blocker Madilyn Hider, freshman outside hitter Juliana Edwards and eighth grade right side hitter Claire Kleinhenz round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt East travels to Kentucky Country Day on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitefield Academy (17-15) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats graduated five players from last year's team but return one of the most dynamic players in the state in the 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='479306' first='Taylor' last='Wathen']. Wathen had 382 kills and 44 aces last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One key for Whitefield is putting the pieces together around Wathen. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='594606' first='Sophia' last='Nord'] returns after recording 173 kills last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitefield Academy hosts Trimble County on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fern Creek (16-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melissa Tabor returns for her fourth season guiding the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They had 984 digs as a team last year. Senior Chinyere Jones and junior [player_tooltip player_id='394021' first='Christina' last='Avritt'] return after digging up 247 and 150 balls last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fern Creek hosts Moore on Monday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeffersontown (11-21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown has a new head coach in Kennady Briinley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers had six seniors last year. They have another nice senior class with five this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown opens the season on Tuesday against the Christian Academy of Louisville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23rd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Bullitt (17-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles will be able to throw a lot of things at opponents in Devyn Tompkins' fourth season guiding the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-time defending district champions return a lot of experience from last year's squad having graduated just two players. Tompkins said multiple players can play in multiple spots and they can switch from 6-2 to 5-1 formations making game by game or set by set adjustments when necessary. It comes down to team chemistry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Madison Stinnett is a six-rotation player mainly playing defensive specialist and outside hitter after recording 139 kills, 194 digs and 43 aces last year. The other three seniors are defensive specialists Breanna Gant, Kaylin O'Neal and outside hitter Kendall Barrett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior class has five members. [player_tooltip player_id='397720' first='Maci' last='Milliner'] returns as the setter after recording 367 assists last year. The 6-0 [player_tooltip player_id='594636' first='Shaelyn' last='Woodson'] gives the Eagles size in the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='508062' first='Kara' last='Gividen'] gives the team an outside/right side hitter option with Madison Picheo and Bracie Roeder adding depth as defensive specialists. Two sophomores also return with experience in defensive specialist Deedee Hernandez and outside/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484284' first='Laila' last='Brooks'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Bullitt travels to Bullitt Central on Monday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullitt Central (13-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have six seniors hoping to help continue to increase the win total in Jessie Ofokile's third season as head coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Gracee Saunders is back at setter after recording 504 assists last year. Senior Shyann Weakley is a six-rotation player at outside hitter/defensive specialist with senior Kendra Nally leading at libero/defensive specialist and senior [player_tooltip player_id='159393' first='Grace' last='Clark'] contributing at middle blocker/outside hitter. Clark had 161 kills last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullitt Central hosts North Bullitt on Monday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moore (6-20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs graduated six seniors off last year's team entering Michael Moore's sixth season leading the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Jazmon Bradley and junior Juliet Riley are key returning players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore travels to Fern Creek on Monday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern (4-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richard Irvin takes over a program that graduated four seniors off last year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior defensive specialist Jayla Castleman is a key returning player for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern hosts Grace James to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22nd District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Butler (15-19)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearettes have dominated the district and made it to the region semifinals for the first time since 2019 last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alyssa Anglin takes over a program that graduated four seniors. However, senior setter Josie Cosgrove returns after tallying 653 assists last year along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535286' first='Layla' last='Green'] after she led the Bearettes with 190 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler travels to Moore on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Doss (2-15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons had no seniors on last year's team, but they have five this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doss missed the region tournament last year after making it the previous two seasons. Junior Ciannah Lacy is among the key returning players for Alexis Curry's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doss hosts Pleasure Ridge Park on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Western (2-14) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors etched their way into the region tournament to end the season. Jamie Johnson takes over a program that graduated four seniors and has three on this year's roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western hosts Brown on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iroquois (0-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders made the region tournament in 2020, but have struggled since then going winless in each of the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The good news for Perry Finley's squad is Iroquois had no seniors on the team. Junior Angel Dukes leads the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iroquois travels to Shawnee on Wednesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21st District</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Cross</strong> <strong>(19-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars boast a talented squad around the versatile University of Kentucky recruit [player_tooltip player_id='477226' first='Trinity' last='Ward']. They have won the district every year in the current alignment dating back to 2012.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danielle Wiegandt takes over the program hoping to help the Cougars get over the hump after they graduated three seniors from last year's team. Mercy has beaten Holy Cross in the region tournament the past six seasons. The Cougars have not beaten Mercy since 2011.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward had 162 kills, 298 digs and 59 aces for the Cougars last year. Twin sister Tristen Ward is a key returning player at libero along with junior right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='846523' first='Braelynn' last='Logsdon']. The Cougars will start two pairs of twins. The other two are Brianne and Delaney Stoff at outside hitter and middle blocker, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiegandt said the Cougars are an excellent serving and passing team and will compete with anyone if they bring the basics on a daily basis. She said the offense has to create different ways to score. Wiegandt also likes the veteran and youth balance. She wants the seniors to play outside of themselves and share their volleyball IQ with the younger players to possibly have something special at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross travels to Providence (Indiana) on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairdale (11-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paige Goldstein took over the program in 2019 and has guided the Bulldogs to the region tournament for the first time in the current region alignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five seniors graduated from the team. Senior Lillian is a key returning player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairdale hosts Spencer County to start the season Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasure Ridge Park (10-17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers have generally been the second team from the district to make the region tournament and hope to go back in Nita Romero's second season leading the squad with another senior-laden squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Aliah Jones returns after recording 150 kills, 129 solo blocks, 17 assisted blocks, 192 digs and 55 aces last year. Senior Sara Irwin is also back after digging up 187 balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasure Ridge Park travels to Doss on Tuesday to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley (8-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justin Brown enters a second season guiding the Vikings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley graduated five seniors from last year's team. The Vikings have eight on the roster this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley travels to Beth Haven to start the season Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beth Haven (5-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats had a young team last year with just one senior and one junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beth Haven hosts Valley to start the season Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some impact players in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172954"],"_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-66c2c5fd8ff05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green does a great job hustling after balls for a perennial state contender. She uses her quick reflexes to go after balls. She can cover every square inch of the court. Green is ready to lead the Jaguars as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479273"],"_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-66c2c5fd8ff9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yaden is a force at the net and could see even better numbers this year as Mercy returns an experienced team. She pounds balls all over the court and puts up solid blocks. Yaden consistently reads opponents well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479302"],"_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-66c2c5fd9000f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marshall hopes to pick up some of the leadership role for the Chargers this year. She squares her arms up with balls defensively and covers ground fast. Offensively, she calls for balls, scans defenses quickly and makes necessary adjustments to place balls away from defenders. She can draw attention on fakes to open things up for other hitters. She can do a number of sets including back sets and throws opponents off with setter dumps and corner shots. Marshall serves nice balls to the back line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397720"],"_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-66c3409a76b64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milliner is trying to become a solid all-around player for the Eagles. She constantly calls for balls doing short and back sets trying to set up hitters in good position to put balls down. Milliner throws in pushes to the far corner and setter dumps to open parts of the floor. She times her blocks well, plays solid defense and smacks hard line drive serves to the back line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477226"],"_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":520461,"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c3409a76bd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Cougars are doing what they can to take advantage of Ward's many talents including her athleticism offensively and defensively. She primarily played defensive specialist in college, but is very involved in hitting the ball for the Cougars. She makes things happen in both the front and back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->