Crittenden County doesn’t just appear to be the class of the 5th District this year, the Lady Rockets enter the 2024 volleyball season ranked as the best team in the 2nd Region.
The Lady Rockets went 17-14 last season and reached the regional championship match for the first time in school history.
With much of that region runner-up team returning, Crittenden has been rated No. 1 in the 2nd Region by the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association.
Livingston Central and Trigg County will both hope to bring along some newcomers this season to try to challenge the Lady Rockets in the district.
Here’s a look at each team in the district:
Crittenden County
After last season’s late run all the way to the 2nd Region final, hopes are as high as they’ve ever been in Marion.
“Our goals for this upcoming season are win districts, All A regionals and regionals,” said head coach Savanna Tays, who begins her second season as Lady Rocket head coach. “Regionals is a big goal for the girls because they have never been to state.
“Another goal of ours is to always have fun and give 110 percent every point.”
Tays, who was a standout player herself at Caldwell County, has five senior players back who saw key action last season.
Carly Porter figures to be the main offensive threat after leading the team in kills last season with 199 and finishing second in blocks with 33.
Brooke Winstead had 102 kills, 14 blocks and 173 assists last year.
Hannah Mott totaled 99 kills along with 127 digs and 45 service aces last season.
Riley Kirby topped the team in digs last season with 203.
Mary Stephens had 55 digs and 34 aces.
“I’ll be counting on Lilah Sherer to fill a big setter role, after losing Riley Smith,” Tays noted. “Lacey Boone, Braelyn Merrill and Aly Yates will also be some newcomers on the team this season.”
Sherer, Boone and Yates are all juniors while Merrill is a sophomore.
“I have a great group of girls, not just on the court. I hold them to high expectations and they never let me down. We have a big season planned ahead of us,” Tays noted.
“We are looking forward to growing as a team and achieving some goals and hopefully making history at Crittenden County.”
After the Lady Rockets at No. 1, the coaches association ranks Christian County second in the 2nd Region, Caldwell County third, University Heights Academy fourth and Henderson County fifth.
Crittenden starts the 2024 campaign at Marshall County on Monday.
Livingston Central
The biggest challenge in the 5th District for Crittenden County will likely come from Livingston Central.
The Lady Cardinals went 10-12 last season, finishing as runner-up in the district.
Livingston does have some athleticism as it tries to close the gap with Crittenden this season, but the Lady Cardinals are going to be mostly young and inexperienced.
“Our goal for the upcoming season is to improve every game,” said head coach Lisa Corley. “We would like to win districts and make some noise at regionals.”
The Lady Cardinals will build around seniors Victoria Joiner and Maggie Downey.
Joiner recorded 225 kills at outside hitter last season along with 35 blocks and 218 digs.
Downey, at libero, had 271 digs.
However, Corley said some youthful players will have to fill several roles this year.
“We have an eighth grader, Kaydence Smith, stepping into the role as the new varsity setter with very little experience. We also have an eighth grader, Abby Erickson, stepping into the position of outside hitter.
“Our varsity lineup also includes sophomore Kaylee Williams, freshman Jocelynn Morganson and junior Laken Davis. We also look for Kameron Holt to come in as a specialty passer.”
Livingston opens the season Monday at Heritage Christian Academy in Hopkinsville.
Trigg County
The Lady Wildcats are looking to build a foundation this season after winning just three games total the last two years.
“Our goal for this upcoming season is for our girls to work as a team,” noted head coach Madison Rogers. “We are working on improving our speed and stamina. As well as tightening up our rotations.
“We have had several girls put in some hard work during the offseason. One player in particular, Trinity Perkins, and eighth grader, played Freshman only last season. Through her dedication during offseason, she is now a varsity middle hitter.
“Grace Carver also has improved on her speed and hitting accuracy. She is able to adjust to the ball to get a strong hit. She has also strengthened her serving and is currently working on her jump serve.”
A huge turnover from last year’s team means lots of new faces in the Trigg lineup.
“We have several newcomers this season,” Rogers noted. “One newcomer, Sierra Williams, a sophomore, just started this season. However, that has not stopped her. She is one of our new varsity setters.
“Skyler Novo is another new player to the team this season. She is one of our varsity outside hitters. She plays full court and is a well-versed player with great knowledge of the game.
“We had nine players to graduate last season,” Rogers added. “With a large graduating class, we have made several changes to our lineups. Our girls have worked extremely hard since our season has started to find their positions on the court. We are so excited to see them take the court for the first time this season Monday, Aug. 19, at home against McLean County.”
