Alpha Performance A. 61 Team Look-In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team put together a sound season as A.51s last year. Six of those players return for the A.61 team with the addition of several talented newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those newcomers is Bryan Station sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='888196' first='Lily' last='Howard']. The other defensive specialist is Lexington Christian sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612081' first='Sophia' last='Gorshak'] with Scott County sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='611961' first='Ava' last='Kragel'] back at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kragel can set up seven talented hitters such as Frederick Douglass sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='918929' first='Daleigh' last='Johnson'] in the middle and Madison Central sophomore Kamyli Johnson at middle and outside hitter. George Rogers Clark sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='918961' first='Hollins' last='Pumphrey'] plays middle blocker and opposite hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark sophomore Savannah Gough plays outside hitter and defensive specialist. The talented Great Crossing sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612084' first='Kinsley' last='VanGuilder'] is the other returning player. Two new hitters to this team are Henry Clay sophomore right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='843821' first='Mills' last='Hundley'] and Shelby County sophomore outside hitter Makalyn Flora.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington Catholic head coach Jeff Kaufmann is once again coaching this same A.61 team. The team plays in the Nike Presidents Day Classic in St. Lous from Feb. 14 to 16.</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":["611961"],"_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-698bf373c2110"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kragel may not have been the primary setter for Scott County this past fall, but she did see a good bit of varsity action and took in a good bit from the senior setter. Kragel consistently finds the sound hitters and keeps opponents guessing with long and short sets. Kragel provides good net defense and great enthusiasm on the court. Kragel can be counted on to make great things happen when the team is out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612081"],"_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-698bf373c2231"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gorshak (pictured) is extremely consistent and precise with her first touches. She does not try to do too much. Gorshak puts the right amount of touch on balls to get them in the imaginary front row zone to the setters for two to three-point passes. Gorshak does a great job moving her feet and stopping in her tracks. Gorshak is also a nice server.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612084"],"_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-698bf373c22d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanGuilder tore things up last club season and carried over a lot of those habits into high school ball in the fall. VanGuilder has a great wrist snap to put a lot of power into balls. VanGuilder deposits balls all over the court. She has continued to find ways to better balls so far during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["843821"],"_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-698bf373c2379"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hundley got a taste of varsity action in 19 games in the fall for the Blue Devils. She could step in this fall with the graduation of seven seniors. Hundley tips over double blocks and can send across tough crosses. </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 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. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->