Weekly Review: Lincoln County snaps 38-game losing skid

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Savanna Smith set out to return the Lincoln County Patriots to the days of respectability when she took over the program in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith said she knew it would take time. Snapping the losing streak dating back to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-20) home win over Mercer County on Oct. 3, 2023. The Patriots (1-4 overall) stopped the skid with a 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-13) victory over the host Danville Admirals (2-5) on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith said the parents were excited after the Patriots won the first set. Lincoln County not only finished 0-28 last year, but only won two sets all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith said she relies on the two senior captains in setter [player_tooltip player_id='838198' first='Audrey' last='Foster'] and middle hitter Shelby Smith to keep everyone up because the Patriots have a young team. Those two and the other senior in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='833099' first='Jaycee' last='Ruckel'] play club volleyball for Danville Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's been a long time coming. To win such a big district game the way we did was amazing," Foster said. "Everything we've worked for is starting to pay off."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots are 1-0 in 45th District play. Lincoln County last won a district crown and qualified for the 12th Region Tournament in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the youth, some younger players have been contributing. Eighth grade outside hitter Havyn Peel has contributed on both sides of the ball and freshman defensive specialist Brooklyn Poirier has made sound contributions on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln County travels to Pulaski County on Monday for an 11:30 a.m. game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corbin wins Class 2A, Section 7 title</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhounds (8-4) concluded a 5-0 week winning all three games in the in-season Class 2A, Section 7 Tournament at Bell County. The Redhounds defeated Harlan County, McCreary Central then 50th District rival Whitely County (8-1) in the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corbin hosts Bell County on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rowan County wins 2A, Section 6 crown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Valkyries (7-1) won a second straight crown at the Mason County Football Field on Saturday. They knocked off host Mason County then 61st District rival Fleming County to win the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan County travels to Montgomery County on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metcalfe County wins 4th Region All "A" title</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets won all three games at Todd County Central on Saturday to win the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metcalfe County (9-3) is already three wins shy of last year's total in Ethan Birdwell's first season as head coach. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='778592' first='Amelia' last='Slinker'] has continued her torrid pace with 118 digs entering the tournament. Junior setters [player_tooltip player_id='760764' first='Harper' last='Hurt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='882581' first='Ellie' last='Landrum'] have gotten a number of hitters involved led by juniors Lily-Ann Horton and [player_tooltip player_id='535198' first='Mollie' last='Devore'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets play at Somerset Christian on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big Game winners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bowling Green Purples came away with big wins over Greenwood and McCracken County this week. Bowling Green won another tri-match for the second straight weekend. The Purples also beat Dyer County (Tennessee) at McCracken County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling Green (7-1) has won seven straight since opening the season with a loss at Mercy. The Purples travel to South Warren on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Henry (8-2) downed North Oldham County, 3-2 (24-26, 25-10, 18-25, 25-18, 15-11) on Thursday in a big non-region battle. It featured St. Henry sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'] facing off against her cousin in North Oldham libero [player_tooltip player_id='547082' first='Ashlyn' last='Thompson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland (8-1) won the battle of undefeated 16th Region teams at Rowan County, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 27-25) on Thursday. The Valkyries could not slow down Ashland's 6-0 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='781585' first='Elise' last='Marcum'], who had 12 kills and two solo blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland then went 3-1 in the five-team Ashland Invitational on Saturday. Sayre handed the Kittens their first loss of the season. Russell and Sayre also went 3-1 in the tournament and Johnson Central beat Raceland to come away with one victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two district dominant streaks continued Thursday. Ryle extended the winning streak to 38 straight against Conner in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 26-24) win and Harrison County continued its dominance of Nicholas County with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-9) in Cynthiana. Freshman Karsyn Benett led the Fillies with 12 kills and senior Shyanne Ross had 10 with [player_tooltip player_id='532789' first='Audree' last='Whitaker'] making nine. Senior Lexie Highlander had 33 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["838198"],"_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-68b4d21ded2fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Foster (pictured) has taken the leadership role by the horns trying to keep her teammates up, especially the younger ones. Foster makes a variety of sets and involved a number of hitters on each play. Foster can take swings out of system and is not afraid to do the setover, the setter dump or even a hit on second touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479307"],"_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-68b4e6dacd692"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mills helps give the Redhounds a viable hitting option from both the pins and the middle. Mills takes both hard swings and soft touches to all six zones on the court. Mills also does a good job tapping home overpassed balls to open zones on the court. She makes good passes then quickly moves into her hitting position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781412"],"_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-68b4e6dacd6ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGillicuddy's defense is a huge reason the Valkyries are off to a 7-1 start on the season. McGillicuddy keeps her eyes on hitters and does what she can to beat balls to their spots. McGillicuddy lines herself up properly with the blockers and only lunges when needed. McGillicuddy sends nice deep serves to the lines trying to keep opponents out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778592"],"_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-68b4e6dacd735"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slinker has continued her torrid pace helping the Hornets start 9-3 on the season. Her range is excellent and Metcalfe County tries to make the most of it. Slinker can extend her arms to keep plays alive when needed. She makes the simple passes. Her control could use some work, but it will come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["796321"],"_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-68b4e6dacd773"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Purples have great net defense and Arauz takes advantage of all the touches that front line produces. She squares her body up to make sound passes and does a great job positioning herself back far or close to the net when needed. Arauz has shown she can handle hard-hit balls. Arauz also produces serving the ball.</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 a half 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 or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, 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. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->