14th Region Preview: Setter questions answered for favorites

The Letcher County Central Cougars and Wolfe County Wolves came into the preseason as region favorites. Not only that, they had question marks at the setter positions.   Up in Campton, that question was how soon senior [player_tooltip player_id='748087' first='Abby' last='Noble'] would return from a torn Anterior Cruciated Ligament injury for the Wolves (11-19 last year). Her mother Lori confirmed she is back and ready to go just more than a week ago. She has a number of sound hitters to set starting with her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='212195' first='Naoma' last='Noble'] on the outside.   [player_tooltip player_id='748087' first='Abby' last='Noble'] can also set up junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603771' first='Madison' last='Deshon'], junior middle/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='781599' first='Emily' last='Stephens'], senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='830254' first='Bella' last='Brumback'], senior setter Raylee Land and eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='781499' first='Madeline' last='Howard']. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='603773' first='Grace' last='Ponce'], sophomore defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='533548' first='Shylah' last='Moore'] and junior defensive specialist Lauren Moore are responsible for sound first touches.   Head coach Ben White said while people return from injuries, a number of players stepped forward and it has done nothing but make the team stronger and a lot more dangerous as more players jump into the rotation. White added a number of them had strong off-seasons.   Wolfe County starts the season Aug. 18 at home against Powell County.   Taylor VanHoose is in her second season guiding tradition-rich Letcher County Central (21-16). Only two seniors graduated, but one happened to be senior setter Amelia Lucas, leaving the Cougars with question marks there.   VanHoose and staff toyed with a 6-2 formation in the summer leagues in June and will employ that with junior Kelsi Holbrook and eighth grader Chloe Wright as the setters. That leaves the versatile junior outside/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='603819' first='Hanna' last='Eldridge'] to take more swings along with junior outside/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='771734' first='Calissa' last='Lowe'] and sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='612103' first='Evany' last='Pack'].   Two more impact hitters could be sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='819895' first='Tiara' last='Bailey'] and Zoey McCullum, who transferred in after playing for the Knott County Central junior varsity last year. VanHoose said McCullum's had a lot thrown at her but has picked things up quickly giving the staff something to look forward to in terms of growth.   Things start in the backcourt with highly-talented eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='762378' first='Piper' last='Adams'] returning after starting every game last year along with sophomore defensive specialist Addy Blevins. VanHoose said it's like having two liberos in the back row with those two. VanHoose also said Blevins is a strong server.   Letcher County Central travels to Pike County Central on Monday to start the season.   53rd District   Knott County Central (31-10)   The Patriots made history last fall winning the first region crown in program history and becoming just the second team in the 14th Region since the split from eight to 16 regions in 2003 to win a first round tournament game with a home win over Ashland. The Patriots graduated four seniors from the team including middle blocker Faith Pollard, who finished the season with 499 kills. Pollard is playing at the University of the Cumberlands.   The Patriots can not be counted out in terms of the region with the return of senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='276172' first='Taylor' last='Baker'], who topped out at 50 on a swing speed test, averaging between 47 and 48 miles per hour. Senior outside hitter Ava Waddell is another returning starter. The 6-3 [player_tooltip player_id='533386' first='Samara' last='Bailey'] gives the Patriots an option in the middle. Freshman Kynley Baker also gives the Patriots good options at outside hitter/defensive specialist.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='783771' first='Avery' last='Sluss'] has stepped into the libero role and junior [player_tooltip player_id='484291' first='Zoe' last='Miller'] is back at setter. Head coach Shae Cornett said junior [player_tooltip player_id='714563' first='Lily' last='Blair'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='792174' first='Avery' last='Conley'] have filled the other setter spot well. Cornett said she also expects freshman Kaylee King and eighth grader Rylee Craft to receive quality minutes.   Cornett said the Patriots have been speeding up the block and getting more hands on balls. She said the Patriots got good practice with that at the Bluegrass State Games the first weekend in August.   Knott County Central plays at Leslie County to start the season Aug. 19.   Jenkins (13-12)   The Cavaliers managed to get above .500 last season. They suffered some graduation losses, but do return junior middle blocker Abigail Lilly and senior setter Peyton Wilder. Junior libero Kirstin Cantrell is also back after leading the Cavaliers in digs last season.   Jenkins hosts Prestonsburg on Aug. 19 to start the season.   June Buchanan (4-25)   The Crusaders struggled last year, but do return senior setter Addison Clark and sophomore hitter Zoey Moore.   The Crusaders start the season Aug. 18 at Harlan.   Cordia (0-14)   Since returning in 2021, the Lions own just one win. It came in 2021 as a Coronavirus 2019 forfeit against June Buchanan. New head coach Brittany Walker welcomes back last year's digs leaders in seniors Haylee-Drew Blank and Chasity Turner.   Cordia plays Jackson City to start the season Aug. 28.   54th District   Leslie County (19-15)   Alex Washburn takes over the program that won the 54th District championship last year and made it to the region semifinals after Brian Hubbard took Leslie County's head football coaching job.   The Eagles graduated four seniors, but do return their two kills leaders from last year in senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='771728' first='Royce' last='Osborne'] and junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='603770' first='Jaelyn' last='Johnson'] in addition to senior setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='837880' first='Sarah' last='Osborne']. Junior defensive specialist Tatum Begley also returns. Washburn also said to look out for freshman middle blocker Peyton Hochstetler this year.   Washburn said establishing team unity and sound chemistry is the first priority, setting goals to stay motivated and have a good balance between fun and hard work. Washburn added making sure the players have fun memories is important on and off the court because it helps establish a good team culture needed for success.   Leslie County hosts Knott County Central to start the season.   Perry County Central (16-15)   Emily Neace takes over a program that has some good young talent in freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='782433' first='Annie' last='Asher'] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='789192' first='Sophia' last='Asher']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='835150' first='Lylah' last='Sullivan'] is back to set them up quarterbacking the offense.   The Commodores open the season Monday at Jackson County.   Hazard (16-16)   The Bulldogs also have a new head coach after promoting assistant Max Mitchell to the role. Mitchell hopes to guide the Bulldogs back to the region tournament after they missed it last year.   A lot of their stat leaders are back as seniors this year. That starts with senior libero Kloe Fugate and senior setter/defensive specialists Mallory Mitchell and Adyson Jent. Senior outside hitter Savannah Combs led Hazard in kills last year. Junior outside hitter/middle blocker Rachel Allen and junior middle blocker Rianna Warren are also back after good seasons last year.   Hazard hosts Floyd Central to start the season Monday.   Buckhorn (6-25)   The Wildcats won three games in the Williamsburg Invitational early in the season, but won just twice after that. New head coach Brittany Walker welcomes back last year's two digs leaders in seniors Hadley-Drew Blank and Chasity Turner.   Buckhorn travels to Owsley County on Monday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/Screenshot-2025-02-26-at-7.43.19 PM-crop-1320x867-1755298546.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-876733" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Josh Deaton</figcaption></figure>   55th District   Breathitt County (18-11)   The Cats beat Wolfe County early in the season, but could not take either of the next two including the district championship. Debbie Spencer takes over hoping to guide the Cats to their first district championship since 2021 and first region crown since 2018.   Breathitt County had just one senior on the roster last year. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='212196' first='Audrynn' last='Hamilton'] is back along with junior defensive specialists [player_tooltip player_id='577792' first='Raelan' last='Back'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535225' first='Alexis' last='Pelfrey'] (pictured above).   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='781713' first='Brielle' last='Halsey'] returns after leading the Cats in kills last year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='755734' first='Charlie' last='Stacy'] gives the Cats power in the middle and pins with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='846962' first='Destiny' last='Hensley'] taking swings from the outside and right side. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='811856' first='Brinsley' last='Neace'] hopes to make an impact in the middle and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='764294' first='Emily' last='Bird'] hopes to contribute from the outside. Spencer also said to watch out for senior Chloe Hayes.   Spencer said keys to success will be building on the foundation of consistent communication on and off the court, trusting teammates and having strong mental toughness. Spencer also listed still having fun playing the game as another key.   Breathitt County hosts Jackson City on Monday.   Jackson City (14-16)   The Tigers improved by five wins from 2023 last year. Senior libero Karigan Turner is back after recording 367 digs and 82 aces last year.   Jackson City travels to Breathitt County on Monday.   56th District   Powell County (24-10)   The Pirates won the 56th District Tournament for the eighth year in a row, but could not take advantage of hosting the region tournament, losing in the first round to Letcher County Central.   Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='276173' first='Kylee' last='Howard'] is back after a solid season on first touches. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='594467' first='Haley' last='Neal'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='558302' first='Raelynn' last='Turner'] at middle/outside hitter come back after nice seasons controlling the net. Head coach Jazmen Thorpe also said to watch out for senior defensive specialist Gracie Pelfrey. Thorpe said the Pirates need to keep a competitive mindset and push personal preferences to the side for the sake of the team to be successful this year.   Powell County travels to Paintsville on Monday to start the season.   Estill County (16-16)   The Engineers welcome in Rebecca Pack as the new head coach. She can build around senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='847236' first='Laycee' last='Puckett'] and sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='612174' first='Sydney' last='Riddell'] along with junior setter Maddie Cole.   Estill County opens the season at Morgan County on Monday.   Lee County (15-18)   The Kats graduated their top two hitters, but do return sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='847233' first='Hollie' last='Chrisman']. Both junior setters in Willow Tipton and Natalie Price also come back.   The Kats host Hazard on Tuesday to start the season.   Owsley County (4-24)   The Owls struggled last year winning consecutive games once last year.   Owsley County hosts Buckhorn on Monday to start the season.   Record in State Tournament Since 2003 when state tournament split from eight to 16 regions: 2-22   Most Region Crowns since 2003: Letcher County Central with 14.   Players to Watch    Noble (pictured) delivers sets with precision making her highly valuable for the Wolves, especially to her twin sister Na. Noble is also getting in rhythm with the team's other hitters as the Wolves try to take advantage of their depth. Noble has a good defensive stance that she snaps out of quickly if she does not make that first pass to set her feet on sets. Noble is a strong server for Wolfe County and makes crisp first passes.     Blevins positions herself well not hiding behind blocks and reading opposing hitters well to make the simple passes. She is able to stay under control with passes when going away from the net. Blevins quickly tracks down soft hits. Blevins adds in good serves.     Baker hopes to step in and fill a role with the graduation of key hitters from last year's state quarterfinalist team. Baker takes quality hits on the go routes including crosses. She takes good swings when the team is out of system and hits balls off blockers for big points. Baker is also a sound passer for the Patriots.     Johnson makes good first touches then quickly transitions to offense. She's worked to improve her accuracy with her hitting. She takes good swings. Johnson does not take sending free balls across the net lightly.     Powell County head coach describes Pelfrey as a solid player, noting she may not be flashy and loud, but has developed the best court awareness on the floor. Pelfrey dives after balls when needed, but sends them toward the net under control. Pelfrey consistently makes the simple passes to let Powell County get in system. Pelfrey wins net battles and can send balls to opposite corners when asked to take swings.    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The Letcher County Central Cougars and Wolfe County Wolves came into the preseason as region favorites. Not only that, they had question marks at the setter positions.