By D&D Sports Network Staff
The letters BVA are common throughout Eastern Kentucky for some of the best volleyball in the mountains. Now those same initials are being recognized on a national level. Earlier this month the Bluegrass Volleyball Academy (BVA) traveled to Orlando, FL to participate in the AAU National tournament. The trip was the third consecutive year BVA had traveled to the National tournament but this time the results were quite different.
BVA took three teams to the National Tournament (16U, 17U and 18U) and all three teams made a huge impact on the tournament. First up is the 16U team coached by Jeff Huff and assisted by Alisha Moore. The group came away as 16 Aspire Emerald National Champions. The team made up of entirely players from Boyd County are listed below:
Lilah Thornbury
Audrey Ratliff
Sophia Clark
Payton Jones
Josi Crank
Maddi Stevens
Hallie Barnett
Laura Chaffin
Baylee Moore
Casie Porter
Next up was the 17U Gold team. This team is coached by Kayla Moore VanHoose, BVA founder, and her Assistant Coach J.R. VanHoose. The 17 Gold team made the 17 Classic Ruby Semifinals before being defeated. This semifinal finish was the highest ranked finish ever for a BVA team. The 17U roster is made up of some of the best volleyball players throughout the D&D Sports Kentucky coverage area. Below is the roster:
Marlo Puckett (Estill County)
Abigail Noble (Wolfe County)
Christan Howell (Betsy Layne)
Anna Mouton (Pikeville)
Taylor Baker (Knott Central)
Layla Petersen (Floyd Central)
Olivia Williamson (Pikeville)
Hanna Steffey (Shelby Valley)
Mayson Delong (Johnson Central)
Naomi Noble (Wolfe County)
The final group that attended Nationals was the 18 Silver. The team finished Runner Up Topaz Bracket The 18U team is coached by Head Coach Kiara Warrens and Assistant Coach Cheyenne Martinez. The 18U Team members are:
Emma Collins (Lawrence County)
Caidence Lafferty (Prestonsburg)
Amelia Lucas (Letcher Central)
Mallory Hall (Betsy Layne)
Addyson Scott (Letcher Central)
Makaya Price (Shelby Valley)
Brenna Cornett (Perry Central)
Brielle Halsey (Breathitt County)
Ryleigh Perry (Shelby Valley)
Kyli Short (Perry Central)
When Coach Kayla Moore VanHoose founded BVA her intention was to promote the game of volleyball throughout the mountains and now those dreams are becoming a reality. After spending time producing games with Coahc Vanhoose in the press box it quickly became obvious the love she had for the game. Now she has spread not only her knowledge and passion for the game, but has attracted some of the best talent across the mountains to make Eastern KY proud. You have showed everyone we are more that “Eastern KY Good.” So, from all of us at D&D Sports Network, congratulations BVA for a job well done.
