12th Region Recap: West Jessamine continues domination

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Jessamine Colts take full advantage of being south of Lexington as a number of them play for high-level club teams. It's a big reason they've won the region nine of the past 10 seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Jessamine (28-12) finished a perfect 12-0 in region play defeating 46th District rival Trinity Christian all three times including the district and region championship games to win the latest crown. The Colts lost to eventual state runner-up Notre Dame at home in the first round of the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='755065' first='Taylor' last='Snowden'] stepped into the setter role and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='774738' first='Ava' last='Smith'] took over at libero. Seniors Riley Cissell, Olivia Crum and junior [player_tooltip player_id='801517' first='Delaney' last='Dix'] helped the Colts form a sound defense. The Colts graduate senior [player_tooltip player_id='779174' first='Tori' last='Daleng'], but do return several sound hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='603652' first='Ashlyn' last='Crutcher'], [player_tooltip player_id='851950' first='Kayla' last='Avent'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523963' first='Dani' last='Long'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Christian (33-7) put together a sound season behind the dominant play of senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='397725' first='Claire' last='Connor']. [player_tooltip player_id='917137' first='Harper' last='Huhn'] did a good job setting things up offensively. The Titans graduate Brooke Bridgewater, but do return the top two hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='897249' first='Elizabeth' last='Battaile'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612250' first='Amelia' last='Stanton']. The Titans drove to the All "A" Championship Flight semifinals before finishing runner-up in the district and region championship games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somerset Christian (26-9) won the 48th District championship after going through a coaching change and seeing some players off last year's team transfer out. The Cougars lost to Trinity Christian in the region semifinals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='788044' first='Elise' last='Meggs'] had a dominant season for the Cougars and [player_tooltip player_id='212350' first='Olivia' last='Atwood'] did a nice job setting up the hitters. Meggs graduates, but the second and third hitters in juniors Catherine Hardy and [player_tooltip player_id='846737' first='Caroline' last='Mounce'] return. [player_tooltip player_id='753664' first='Callie' last='Davis'] and eighth grader Claire Hardy return on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somerset (22-14) had a breakthough season in LaDawna Tucker's first season there. The Jumpers won the first district championship in program history with an exciting 3-2 (12-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-12) win over Pulaski County in the 47th District championship. [player_tooltip player_id='535194' first='Sara' last='Tucker'] had a dominant season for the Jumpers and [player_tooltip player_id='770381' first='Sarah' last='McBride'] put up nice numbers. [player_tooltip player_id='917151' first='Charleston' last='Girdler'] stepped into the setter role nicely with [player_tooltip player_id='535263' first='Reagan' last='Childers'] leading the way defensively. Senior Addison Fleshman also played a big role for the Jumpers on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pulaski County (18-13) put together another great season behind the play of junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='535242' first='Olivia' last='Travis']. She set up three nice senior hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='779168' first='Sammie' last='Blevins'], [player_tooltip player_id='814265' first='Jasper' last='Tingle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='815069' first='Kaylee' last='Kissinger'] along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='906146' first='Taylor' last='Absher']. Lakelynn Dykes, [player_tooltip player_id='792658' first='Bryleigh' last='Scruggs'] and Chloe Cranfill led the Maroons defensively.</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":["523963"],"_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-693a37f02c120"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long (pictured) is a great option at the opposite hitter spot for the Colts. She takes hard swings at the pins with a great approach to the net and mixes in tips. Long also plays a big role in the solid West Jessamine net defense. Long teams up well with teammates for formidable double blocks. Long had 110 kills, 50 assisted blocks and 112 digs for the Colts this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917137"],"_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-693a3b68974b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Titans do not drive deep into the postseason without Huhn leading the way on first contacts. Huhn reacts quickly to balls under control, keeping plays alive. Huhn does the bump and overhead passes effectively. She comes out of nowhere to make unbelievable saves. Huhn had 484 digs for the Titans this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753664"],"_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-693a3b689759f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis made a huge impact for the Cougars at the libero spot this past fall. She makes the simple passes and only lunges when needed. She anticipates balls well on the court. Davis also gave opponents fits with her serves. Davis can make nice sets when needed. Davis had 451 digs, 79 assists and 62 aces for the Cougars this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917151"],"_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-693a3ff589c1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The thing that stands out about Girdler is her ability to execute tandems. It is hard to figure out which hitter she is setting. Girdler executes a number of short and long sets for the Jumpers. She also makes a number of sound first touches to jumpstart the Somerset attack. Girdler had 982 assists and 329 digs for Somerset this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["906146"],"_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-693a420535594"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Absher could turn into one of the best hitters in the region these next two years. Absher makes plays at all six spots on the floor. She has a quick arm swing and a good swinging rhythm, including tough shots from the back row. Absher has tough crosses and makes sound first touches. Absher had 145 kills and 233 digs for the Maroons this past fall.</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 nearly two years 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. 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