Alpha Performance Volleyball 16 teams overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alpha Performance Volleyball 16 squads have gained traction in terms of talent in the area. This group fielded five teams this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.61</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top team in this group led by Lexington Catholic head coach Jeff Kaufmann has guided the team to a 32-14 record and a win in the Central Zone Invitational 16 Club Yellow Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan County sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='253881' first='Mallory' last='Jones'] brought high production into the season at setter and Tates Creek sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='742197' first='Harper' last='Lipsett'] came in after a productive fall. Scott County sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='768390' first='Zariah' last='Gent'] also had a nice season. Two Great Crossing players in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535187' first='Gabrielle' last='Bray'] and freshman Anniston Morris also bring in extensive varsity experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team has been able to add in some more options with the dynamic Ryle freshman setter and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring']. Bourbon County sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='757907' first='Izzy' last='Jett'] brings in some varsity experience at defensive specialist. Two Frederick Douglass sophomores in Ava Henderson at middle blocker and [player_tooltip player_id='776638' first='Shelby' last='Mays'] at defensive specialist round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team plays in the Indy Cup on Saturday and Sunday in the 16 Elite Division at the Academy Volleyball Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.62</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has also put together a nice season under Rebecca Just's guidance. The highest finish has been second in the 16 Club Black Division in the Bluegrass Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott County has three sophomores on the team in 5-11 Middle blocker Hannah Rumer, right side/middle blocker Camaryn Douglas and outside hitter/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='775250' first='Scarlett' last='Merkins']. Harrison County sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='532789' first='Audree' last='Whitaker'] gives the team size in the middle at 6-2 along with Madison Central 5-10 right/outside hitter Addison Neal. The 5-7 George Rogers Clark sophomore Avery Ashcraft gives the team another option in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive specialists are Nicholas County sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='757958' first='Alison' last='Reid'], Montgomery County junior 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id='397723' first='Kate' last='Conn'] and 5-4 Tates Creek sophomore Piper Simmons. Woodford County sophomore Caroline Gribble is the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team plays in the Indy Cup on Saturday and Sunday in the 16 Premier Division at the Academy Volleyball Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.63</strong>, <strong>A.64, Navy teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player from the Navy team made a huge impact on varsity in Montgomery County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='755626' first='Erin' last='Fawns']. Freshman opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='508423' first='Anna' last='Allison'] saw action in 13 games for the Indians.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 63 and 64 teams next plays in the Pioneer Region Championships in Louisville on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["757907"],"_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-68223e3033734"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the graduation of eight seniors, Jett (pictured) and others hope to step forward into roles this season. Jett has shown she can play multiple positions during club season. She mainly plays defense, but can take some swings when necessary. Jett has made some spectacular one-arm saves on balls this club season. The left-handed Jett throws off defenses with her hard serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768390"],"_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-68224c75c52fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gent has taken steps forward on the A.61 team in the fall becoming more fierce in the middle. Gent can do quicks a variety of ways including a push to open spots on the court. Gent also makes things happen at the pins. Gent has shown good movement on her slide blocking and has a tough sizzling jump serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775250"],"_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-68227ad9f3532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merkins primarily played defense for the Cardinals in the fall, but has hit a good bit on the outside for A.62. Merkins makes sound passes. Then on offense, Merkins has a great sense of where to send balls before approaching the net. She can deposit them hard to the back line or soft to the middle on shoves. Merkins can turn into a sound hitter with a quicker technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397723"],"_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-682286703b7e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Conn stays under control with her passing in the back row. Conn reads hitters well and moves in position to make those solid first passes. Conn only lunges or dives when necessary. Conn does a great job making things happen out of system. Conn had 350 digs, 153 assists and 76 aces to help the Indians go 26-13, win the 40th District Tournament and drive to the 10th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. 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