Latest 27 Rankings: Five more rankings risers to know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talent has been sprouting up all over the state in recent years. These five come from five different regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603819"],"_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-69b0c90bda4a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Letcher County Central head coach Taylor VanHoose does not sell it short on how valuable Eldridge's versatility is to the team. Eldridge can step into a number of places and produce. The Cougars though have an experienced team returning around her so she can focus mainly on taking hard swings. Eldridge (pictured) makes precise passes then jumps right into her offensive stance. She smokes balls all over the court at different speeds to keep teams guessing. She has a good vertical jump to put balls over and passed blockers. Eldridge had 258 kills, 132 digs and 45 aces to help the Cougars go 20-15 and drive back to the in-season Class 2A state tournament and the 14th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781046"],"_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-69b0c90bda50c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a sound option on the outside for Rising Heights and the Banshees. Smith aims her body one way to get defenders leaning, then sends balls to another part of the court. Smith draws some double blocks, but it it is not easy to pull off against the balanced Bethlehem team. It helps she's playing with two of her Bethlehem teammates during club season. Smith gets on top of balls to put great power into them. She can power balls through double blocks. Smith had 162 kills, 27 solo and 16 assisted blocks in the fall for Bethlehem, helping the Banshees go 28-9, win the 19th District crown and drive to the 5th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603768"],"_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-69b0c90bda553"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice has a number of offensive options on the team and tries to take full advantage of them. Rice has improved her touch on various sets. Rice is a reliable passer, blocker, aggressive server and is not afraid to take nice rips when needed. Rice makes a lot of things happen for the Colonels when they are out of system. Rice dished out 1,040 assists to go with 262 digs, 71 aces, 118 kills and 44 blocks in the fall, helping Whitley County go 35-6, win another 50th District crown and win a fourth straight 13th Region title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832519"],"_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-69b0c90bda595"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The return of Heitker and many of her teammates make Bishop Brossart the preseason 10th Region favorites for many reasons. Heitker turned into a solid option for the Mustangs in the fall. Heitker has amazing crosses. She does a good job angling them away from blockers for big points. Improved blocking could go a long way for Heitker her senior season. Heitker had 174 kills for the </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822468"],"_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-69b0c90bda5d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gaines has developed a powerful swing with her nine feet, nine inch approach. Gaines smacks balls with punch on gaps and other routes to various zones on the court. Gaines executes on a number of long and short sets. Gaines paints back lines with flat consistency. Gaines is also a sound blocker. Gaines had 134 kills, 53 assisted blocks and 24 solo blocks to help the Spartans go 20-11 on the season.</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 Kentucky, Ohio and coming soon, Tennessee. 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 -->