Mid America Volleyball 16 Select, Hammerhead Overviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top team has some familiar faces, but a lot of different ones compared to the same 15s team last spring. The local Hammerhead team does feature some up and coming talent in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team struggled with just one win in the Nike Classic, but has finished in the top half of some smaller tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard sophomore outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='752300' first='Journey' last='Gibson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='919506' first='Brooke' last='Holdcraft'] give the team a sound presence. Campbellsville sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612021' first='Karsyn' last='Smith'] at setter, outside hitter or defensive specialist and Shelby County freshman [player_tooltip player_id='808794' first='Kaedyn' last='Stone'] give the team versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='661582' first='Layla' last='Newsome'] is the libero/defensive specialist with Christian Academy - Louisville sophomore Celia Harvey can set or play outside hitter. Sacred Heart freshman Grace Piendel also hits from the outside. Kentucky Country Day freshman 6-2 Remi Adams, Collins 6-0 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='776666' first='Sasha' last='Cox'] and sophomore Elena Sullivan give the team sound size in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Korbyn Reams is the team's head coach. The team plays in the Pioneer Bid Tournament on Sunday in Wilder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hammerhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has placed in the upper half of three tournaments so far in various divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethlehem sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='783405' first='Gabriella' last='Bellisario'] starts things off with good passes for this team along with Spencer County sophomore McKenna Zeller. Eminence junior [player_tooltip player_id='832415' first='Gracie' last='Hartman'] plays outside or defensive specialist. A setter is South Oldham junior Megan Freibert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethlehem sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='847132' first='Edelen' last='Travis'] plays middle and right side with Bullitt East sophomore Jaylynn Jewell and Atherton sophomore Jillian Watkins playing right side. Sophomore Peyton Whitlock, Grace Godthaab and Ana Carlini round out the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mary Cox is the team's head coach. The team plays in the Bluegrass Tournament from March 6 to 8 in the 16 Club White Division.</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":["661582"],"_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-699cffa190e4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newsome has taken steps forward as a defender during club season. She uses a good platform to make sound first touches. Her range is incredibly handy. She could step into a big role for the Panthers this fall with heavy graduation losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612021"],"_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-699cffa190ea5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith has grown a few inches and it has helped her become more dominant at the net. Smith takes solid hits from the middle and outside. She is not afraid to use her off (left) hands to throw off defenders and has tough crosses. Smith wins jousts at the net and is a sound blocker. Smith is also reliable on first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783405"],"_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-699d02a834f97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bellisario is trying to fine tune some things during club season. Bellisario can make some nice passes as a defensive specialist or even a setter. Her versatility could a long way for the Hammerhead team or even Bethlehem in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832415"],"_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-699d047803b11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hartman mainly played a defensive role for Eminence in the fall. She has great reaction time sticking with her platform to dig up well-struck balls. Those include crosses and overpassed balls. Hartman executes the overhead and bump passes effectively. She only dives out of necessity.</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. 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