[PHSForever]

Betsy Layne did defeat Allen Central In 2 matches, BL also lost to AC in 3 very close matches. Bl also played South Floyd very hard in 3 matches mind you one of those games should have been BL's victory if it hadn't been for some very poor line judging. Now this is a fact the 58th district is much stronger then the 57th and no one can say it's not. The 58th has some very strong competiton and always has the strongest teams in the region. AC did not make region last year due to 3 of their players being very ill and couldn't play in the district tournament so that is what happened to AC last year. Yes these teams play each team very different, it depends on who their opponent is but I still dont see ER as strong as any of the 58th team I may not be giving them alot of credit but until they beat a powerhouse team BL stay's ahead. Region will be a hard fought battle and anything can happen when it's tournament time!!!

My only real problem with your statement is what I have bolded above. The 58th is NOT home to the strongest teams in the region always. That honor rests soley on the shoulders of the 60th district. Belfry, since the 15th region began competing in 2002 (back then it was Reg. 8 in volleyball) has won the region a whopping 7 out of 9 times. Betsy Layne won in 2010 and Allen Central won in 2009. I do not deny that the 59th district has not been the strongest year over year, but it has finally taken off at Pikeville, for example. They have a 12 player freshman class, 10 of whom were on the first Pikeville junior high team to ever make it to the district finals. The program is growing in popularity, and being from such a small school and having to compete with the cheerleading squad, basketball team, and softball teams for a small pool of girls, it took time to catch on. Might I also remind you that the same freshman class also went to Allen Central last year and won their tournament, losing only one match over the 2 days? They will be a force to be reckoned with in the region over the next several years.

The 58th has, traditionally, been very strong and competitive. But (and it pains me to say this) Belfry has owned the 15th since the inception of volleyball in this region. Betsy Layne and Allen Central winning one time each doesn't make them a powerhouse. Good luck to all the teams.