Three Reigning Region Champions on the Rise

Steve LeMaster

June 14, 2020 @ 11:10 PM

Multiple 2019 region champions will be title contenders in the 2020 high school volleyball season. Here are three reigning region champions on the rise. Campbell County: The champion out of the 10th Region, Campbell County suffered a heartbreaking loss to Owensboro Catholic in the opening round of the 2019 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. Third Region champion Owensboro Catholic edged Campbell County 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 15-8) in the state tournament match. But the Camels are reloading for the 2020 high school volleyball season. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="68088" first="Olivia" last="Crowl"] (341 kills, 144 blocks, 26 digs) is poised to continue to lead the Camels. Crowl was honored as the 2019 10th Region Player of the Year. In addition to Crowl, junior outside hitter/right side Rylee McKinney (334 kills, 35 blocks, 425 digs, 78 service aces), senior setter Ella Schloemer (902 assists, 311 digs, 43 service aces, 32 kills, 26 blocks), senior right side/outside hitter Natalie Smith (231 digs, 21 service aces) and senior defensive specialist Madison Pond (442 digs, 29 service aces) are headed back to the court for 10th Region frontrunner Campbell County. Floyd Central: Graduation didn’t spare 15th Region champion Floyd Central. However, after capturing a 15th Region championship in its third season, Floyd Central is carrying momentum over into the upcoming campaign. Following a loss to North Oldham in the opening round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament, Floyd Central ended the 2019 season 30-8. Several experienced players are returning for the Jaguars. Leading players back for Floyd Central include sophomore Jadyn Hall (283 kills, 37 assists, 285 digs, 40 service aces), junior middle blocker Caley Howard (190 kills, 82 blocks), junior outside hitter/right side Gabrielle Howard (179 kills, 35 blocks), junior setter [player_tooltip player_id="68137" first="Amelia" last="Wallace"] (62 kills, 424 assists, 113 digs, 42 service aces) and senior defensive specialist/libero [player_tooltip player_id="68114" first="Alivia" last="Stumbo"] (226 digs, 41 assists, 34 service aces). West Jessamine: The defending 12th Region champion, West Jessamine is preparing to return to the court after falling to neighboring rival Henry Clay in the opening round of the 2019 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. Following the loss in the state tournament, West Jessamine ended the 2019 season 26-15. Junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Emily Krintz (272 kills, 26 blocks, 116 assists, 398 digs, 73 service aces), junior defensive specialist/libero Sydney Collins (329 digs, 59 service aces), senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Ava Gdovka (540 digs, 42 service aces) and sophomores Brooke Hager (257 kills, 119 blocks, 54 digs) and Ashleigh Messick (230 kills, 301 digs, 68 service aces) are all due back for the Colts.