Information Provided by Paintsville Athletics
The Paintsville High School volleyball team is eager to showcase their talent and dedication at the state tournament. Nestled in central Kentucky, Paintsville is a small 1A school with a rich tradition in both athletics and academics, serving approximately 230 students in grades 9-12.
Under the leadership of Coach Dawn Kinner, who is in her 15th season, the team has achieved remarkable success. Kinner’s tenure has seen the team secure 12 district titles, including seven of the last eight, five regional titles since 2017, and an All-A State Championship in 2022, making them only the second public school to achieve this honor. A 2000 graduate of Campbell County High School, Kinner continued her volleyball journey at Georgetown College, where she played on a nationally-ranked team.
Kinner has also played a pivotal role in promoting volleyball in the 15th region through her club, East KY Junior Volleyball (EKJV), which has placed nine players on the 15th Region All-Tournament team. Her commitment to developing young athletes is evident in the high level of play across the region.
Megan Taylor, Paintsville’s all-time leader in kills (2500+), is now playing at Marshall. Kinzey Slone, a member of the All-A State Championship team, is now playing at Georgetown College. Currently, Paintsville boasts several standout players, including senior Olivia Maynard, who is committed to Transylvania University and was named Honorable Mention All-State (15th Region Tournament MVP as well), and sophomore Kylie Kinner, a highly recruited athlete in two sports (volleyball and basketball), has already amassed about 1,500 kills and was named 2nd Team All-State. Senior Bailee Porter has recorded nearly 1,200 assists this season, while Annabelle Blankenship leads the team in blocks.
The Paintsville volleyball team is excited to connect with alumni and the community as they head into the tournament. For more updates and information, fans can follow Paintsville Independent Schools and Paintsville Athletics on social media.