Region Tournament rundowns, predictions Regions 1-8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A total of four first-time region tournament winners emerged last year with Knott County Central, Lexington Catholic, Heritage (Hopkinsville) and Owensboro taking the 15th, 11th, 2nd and 3rd Region crowns for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be that many this year, but upsets do occur. Owensboro did not make it out of the 9th District semifinals this year, but the other three are back in the respective region tournaments. This rundown reveals potential first-time state qualifiers and other predicted winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will continue to be hard to go against McCracken County (28-8 overall) until someone unseats the Mustangs. They've won this region every year since Lone Oak, Heath and Reidland consolidated into one school in 2013. They are 8-0 against the rest of the region with all eight games coming against in-town 2nd District opponents including the two district tournament games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='477251' first='Caroline' last='Presswood'], [player_tooltip player_id='533342' first='Penny' last='Kirkham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747076' first='Mollie' last='Canter'] lead a sound Mustangs defense that has had to adjust to not having the height of teams in the past. [player_tooltip player_id='757541' first='Taylor' last='Dugan'] distributes balls well to [player_tooltip player_id='834881' first='Lilly' last='Hamilton'], [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Kambell' last='Dunning'], [player_tooltip player_id='533343' first='Reagan' last='Hill'], [player_tooltip player_id='813127' first='Emily' last='Hatfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747618' first='Neely' last='Nyberg']. The Mustangs have played a strong non-region schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graves County (16-11) has the size to beat McCracken County. It could come down to execution should they meet in the region championship. [player_tooltip player_id='535247' first='MaryKate' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='397722' first='Ella' last='Morton'] lead the Eagles in kills with [player_tooltip player_id='774411' first='Chloe' last='Wade'] and Emerson Elliott giving Graves County balance. Three seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='397721' first='Ryleigh' last='Belknap'], Destiny McKenty and Caleigh Robertson lead the Eagles defensively. Sisters [player_tooltip player_id='738480' first='Emma' last='Joiner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='551813' first='Zoie' last='Joiner'] have split the setting duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> McCracken County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2nd Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County came into the season as the favorites and has gone 16-0 in region play. Second-year head coach Kelli Harris agreed she has a good group of players. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='770772' first='Ella' last='Whitledge'] leads the team on defense with senior [player_tooltip player_id='806012' first='Kamryn' last='Raley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='776415' first='Addison' last='Kirtley'] setting up powerful hitters [player_tooltip player_id='603212' first='Evangeline' last='Loffland'], [player_tooltip player_id='888158' first='Emmy' last='Sword'], Kylee Lyons, Gabrielle Melvin and [player_tooltip player_id='770769' first='Caeson' last='Hargitt'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian County could be the biggest challenger led by the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='798746' first='Shiloh' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='603865' first='Peyton' last='Owens'], Katherine Cansler and [player_tooltip player_id='479318' first='Ashlea' last='Russell']. This is the last season for the Colonels before merging with Hopkinsville next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Henderson County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The E-gals are starting to get healthy with the recent return of setter [player_tooltip player_id='845619' first='Jessica' last='Lee']. [player_tooltip player_id='484301' first='Avery' last='Gray'] and one of the state's top freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='888227' first='Keelan' last='Wettstain'] give Apollo sound all-around play. Junior Madalyn Roberts has also given the E-gals plenty of of quality play at setter. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612255' first='Jessie' last='Pate'] is having another stellar season at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apollo has beaten Owensboro Catholic three times already this season and may have to do it again to win this region. The Aces have dominant libero [player_tooltip player_id='474729' first='Molly' last='Arnold'] and her sister [player_tooltip player_id='749723' first='Payton' last='Arnold']. [player_tooltip player_id='852164' first='Mayme' last='Powell'] has taken control of the setting duties and has delivered in every statistical category. The top hitters for the Aces are [player_tooltip player_id='891166' first='Ava' last='Martin'] and Emma Castlen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Apollo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The net defense alone separates the Purples from the rest of the region. Standing 6-4, senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='212192' first='Amirra' last='Bailey'] and a tough surrounding cast including setter [player_tooltip player_id='741315' first='JoEllen' last='Marshall'], [player_tooltip player_id='774363' first='Hadley' last='Beard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='276175' first='Morgan' last='Rockrohr'] has come through with big plays at opportune times all season. Senior Olivia Arauz has stepped into the libero role nicely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Bowling Green</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid 12-0 run against region opponents more than makes Elizabethtown the favorite here. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='533345' first='Addison' last='Janes'] puts ball on the money to 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Jessica' last='Smallwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748731' first='Maci' last='Singleton']. [player_tooltip player_id='761937' first='Lexi' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='533346' first='Grace' last='Godfrey'] and MaKenna Brown make a sound defense for the Panthers. [player_tooltip player_id='831611' first='Ella' last='Brown'] is also a good hitting option for Elizabethtown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Hardin and Adair County can not be counted out. [player_tooltip player_id='212389' first='Graci' last='Blair'] and Ramsey Nickell have stepped into the setting roles nicely for the Bruins with [player_tooltip player_id='212390' first='Klaire' last='Warrell'] leading the team in kills. [player_tooltip player_id='591652' first='Jordan' last='Fortner'] gives the team balance with [player_tooltip player_id='484295' first='Katelynn' last='Camenzind'] and [player_tooltip player_id='876092' first='Rylie' last='Conley'] leading the team on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='666959' first='Josie' last='Blair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535275' first='Olivia' last='Mantooth'] lead the Indians, who are making the first region tournament appearance in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Elizabethtown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have made the state tournament all but one time in 1980 in the 46 years of the tournament. Their depth is a big reason for that dominance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='479273' first='Mady' last='Yaden'] leads a balanced Mercy attack along with [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'], [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484254' first='Alli' last='Riegling']. [player_tooltip player_id='556153' first='Olivia' last='Duncan'], [player_tooltip player_id='544366' first='Addison' last='Randol'] and Addie Davis have taken turns at the setter spots. [player_tooltip player_id='797942' first='Reese' last='Houston'] leads the way on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Mercy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption finished the regular season undefeated against opponents and has a huge mental advantage on the rest of the state with 24 state championships. [player_tooltip player_id='611724' first='Brooke' last='Codey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212400' first='Jillian' last='Bohannon'] are having incredible years. Emily Kieran leads the Rockets on defense with Julie Lee giving them a solid net presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart could be a threat once again with [player_tooltip player_id='484247' first='Taylor' last='Frey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id='253864' first='Campbell' last='Miles'] is having a sound year at the libero spot. The Valkyries drew Ballard in the quarterfinals. The 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='212348' first='Ella' last='Grivna'] and 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id='443382' first='Ava' last='Liening'] will not make things easy on the Sacred Heart team that has struggled with first touches at times this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> Assumption</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8th Region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs came into the season once again favored in this region. The biggest challenger could be Eminence, which has reeled off 20 wins in a row since the All "A" State Tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='484434' first='Bryce' last='Berry'] leads the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='706522' first='Vita' last='Sensenbrenner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Reagan' last='Baxter'] are having great seasons at the net for North Oldham with [player_tooltip player_id='724992' first='Berkeley' last='Baxter'] delivering solid sets to them and the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='780301' first='Alex' last='Cannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484260' first='Lilah' last='Anthony']. [player_tooltip player_id='885831' first='Chloe' last='Clark'] has also delivered nice sets allowing [player_tooltip player_id='724992' first='Berkeley' last='Baxter'] to take big swings. [player_tooltip player_id='547082' first='Ashlyn' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='752630' first='Raleigh' last='Becker'] lead North Oldham defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Winner:</strong> North Oldham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["738480"],"_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-68fc6a40804db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joiner gives the Eagles valuable experience. Joiner does a great job adapting to her hitters' needs, thus putting them in position to succeed. She's been a big reason the Eagles have won four consecutive 3rd District crowns. Joiner also makes a number of sound serves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["770772"],"_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-68fc715451749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitledge (pictured) displays consistency at the libero spot for the Colonels. Whitledge makes sound bump and overhead passes under control allowing the setters to make nice two to three-point passes to start the offense. Whitledge anticipates balls well and goes after them with everything she has. Whitledge makes good out of system passes and has landed key aces for points with her serving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["556153"],"_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-68fc794c9406f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Duncan has great size and versatility and Mercy tries to take advantage of those traits. Duncan delivers precise sets and quality hits. She puts her teammates in good position to put balls down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780301"],"_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-68fc7b42b9a97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cannon uses her size well and works well with teammates in the front row to form a solid defense. Cannon not only takes solid swings, but has also been consistent on first touches. She draws a lot of one-on-one blocking situations at the net with the talent around her.</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. 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