Kentucky Athletes Staying Local To Play College Volleyball

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kentucky athletes are finding their next step for academics and volleyball close to home.  With multiple high level college programs across the state, high level players are able to play in front of family and friends throughout their whole career.  From the ACC, SEC, and Ohio Valley Conference there are plenty of options along with the other NCAA and NAIA Divisions. Here are a few athletes who will be staying close to home  for their volleyball career. </span></p> <p><strong>Eleanor Beavin - Mercy </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed To Kentucky </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beavin is one of the top liberos in the state, playing for PNK during the club season.  The 2021 commit to Kentucky will be heading to one of the primetime programs in the SEC as well as the country.  Under control, great platform, and reads incredibly well, Beavin makes holding down the left back look easy. She controls the game with her first contact, getting her team in system while also having the ability to make the diving play. </span></p> <p><strong>Elena Scott - Mercy </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed To Louisville</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scott is one of those players who makes setting look easy where she has really quick feet and fast hands.  A really solid overall athlete, she makes the difficult plays look routine whether the ball is tight on the net or she needs to scramble. She will stay close to home and play for Louisville where the Cardinals continue to keep the top talent from the area close to home.  Scott will be able to contribute as a setter or could also see time as a DS with her high IQ and ability to hold it down on defense. </span></p> <p><strong>Katie Howard - Greenwood</strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Western Kentucky</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Howard will stay in state for her college career heading to Western Kentucky.  An uber athletic pin hitter, Howard plays extremely high and knows how to use her body to take control of the net, especially with her block where she can get up and turn in.  On her attack, she has a really aggressive approach where she has a lethal cross-court shot to score points. </span></p> <p><strong>Irene Wogenstahl - Dixie Heights</strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Morehead State</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wogenstahl is long, athletic, and definitely has a high ceiling of where she can continue to develop during her college career at Morehead State.  A high swing and snap with various angles allows her to score points in a variety of ways. Morehead State is currently 17-6 and one of the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. </span></p> <p><strong>Anna Lococo - Sacred Heart </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed To Bellarmine</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lococo moves like a water beetle on the court, so quick and efficient to the ball.  Strong in serve receive, always there in coverage, and able to put up a really clean second ball, Lococo has all the intangibles coaches are looking for in a libero.  She will head to Bellarmine in Louisville where they will start their transition to the Division 1 level. </span></p> <p><strong>Torie Houston - Holy Cross</strong></p> <p><strong>Zoe Epplen - St. Henry </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Northern Kentucky </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Houston and Epplen out of NKYVC will be staying close to home and playing for Northern Kentucky out of the Horizon League which was won by Green Bay in 2018.  Houston is a setter with a soft release and a physicality all around, finding her open teammates along the way. Epplen is the outside hitter who can contribute in all rotations, where she is not only a threat to score on offense, but provides a strong block on defense as well. </span></p>