VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
THREE NOTES TO KNOW Back again
Brentwood (Class AAA), Portland (Class AA) and Briarcrest (Division II-AA) will attempt to repeat as state champions in their classifications.
Brentwood has won six straight Class AAA titles. Portland has won the past two Class AA titles. Briarcrest has been to the past four DII-AA championship matches and won the 2018 and 2016 titles.
Livingston's improbable run
Livingston Academy (26-9) is making its first state tournament appearance since 2001. This year's success comes despite not being able to play at its school gym all season. The team went undefeated this season playing at First Baptist Church in Livingston because the school's floor was being worked on.
Small, but mighty
King's Academy is making its second trip to the state tournament. And when the Lady Lions begin play in the Division II-A state tournament Tuesday, they will do it with this week's smallest roster – seven. The team actually began the season with six players until Valeriya Varnakova, a 5-foot-9 sophomore outside hitter, moved to the area from Russia.
30 PLAYERS TO KNOW
Mattie Arnett, Cookeville, Jr. Arnett, an outside hitter, has 382 kills with 281 digs this season.
Madison Bidwell, Ravenwood, Sr. Bidwell has 377 kills and 289 digs this season.
Aziah Buckner, Briarcrest, Sr. Buckner, an outside hitter, has 312 kills, 205 digs and 55 aces. She is a San Diego State commitment.
Mercedes Collins, South Greene, Sr. Collins, a middle hitter, has 369 kills with 61 blocks this season.
Carly Cooper, Ravenwood, Sr. Cooper, a setter, has 689 assists with 328 digs and 67 aces.
Katie Crutchfield, Portland, Sr. Crutchfield, an outside hitter, has 471 kills, 468 digs and 52 aces this season.
Alayna Dew, Halls, Sr. Dew, an outside hitter, has 506 kills and 126 aces this season.
Joy Douglass, Cleveland, Jr. Douglass has 385 kills with 395 digs this season. Shaye Eggleston, Brentwood, Jr. The Alabama commitment has 768 kills with 81 aces and 75 total blocks.
Miriam Fletcher, Goodpasture, Jr. Fletcher is averaging 25 assists per match.
Madison Hayes, East Hamilton, Sr.
Hayes, an outside hitter, is a multi-sport athlete at the Chattanooga area school. She has committed to Mississippi State to play basketball.
Raegan Holyfield, Crockett County, Sr.holyfield, a middle hitter, is the top hitter for the Lady Cavaliers.
Jaycie Jenkins, Daniel Boone, Sr. Jenkins, an outside hitter, has 348 kills with 493 digs and 29 blocks.
Jordan Jones, Houston, Sr. Jones, a middle hitter, has 307 kills with 70 blocks.
Olivia Jones, Goodpasture, Jr. Jones, a middle hitter, was the district tournament and region tournament MVP. She averages 12 kills and four blocks a match.
Rylie Kael, Brentwood, Jr. Kael, an outside hitter, has 352 kills this season with 408 digs and 47 aces.
Cassie Kuerschen, Knoxville Catholic, Sr. The Tennessee commitment, a libero, has 390 digs this season with 65 assists.
Baylee Mcdowell, Gatlinburg-pittman, Sr. The Berea College commitment averages 21.7 digs a game this season for the Lady Highlanders, who are making their second appearance in state. Sydney Murrell, Watertown, Sr. Murrell has 741 digs and 86 aces this season. She has 2,087 digs for her career. Sydney Owens, Lexington, Sr. Owens, an outside hitter, is the Lady Tigers' top hitter this season.
Savannah Pippin, Portland, Jr. Pippin, a middle hitter, has a team-high 568 kills with 113 blocks this season.
Loren Robertson, Briarcrest, Sr. The Memphis commitment has 1,037 assists this season with 203 digs.
Matti Rowland, Anderson County, Jr. Rowland, a middle hitter, is the Lady Mavericks' top hitter and blocker.
Ashley Stovall, Collierville, Sr. Stovall has more than 300 digs this season to lead the Collierville back row.
Annabelle Sulish, Concord Christian, So. Sulish has 310 kills with 130 digs and 39 aces.
Adi Thrasher, St. George's, Sr. Thrasher, a middle hitter, has 365 kills with 99 blocks and 52 aces.
Rylee Waye, Dobyns-bennett, Sr. The Virginia-wise commitment has 796 assists, 343 digs and 36 aces this season.
Jamison White, Harpeth Hall, Sr. The 6-foot-1 New Hampshire commitment was the Middle Region tournament
MVP. White averages 5.9 assists and 2.6 kills a set this season.
Claire Wilson, Harpeth Hall, Jr. The 6-foot-3 South Carolina commitment averages 5.9 assists and 2.5 kills a set this season.
Avery Young, Nolensville, So. Young leads the Lady Knights with 325 kills and 196 digs.
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager