Three 9th Region Teams On the Rise

Steve LeMaster

July 23, 2020 @ 10:08 PM

The 9th Region featured eight teams with 20 or more wins during the 2019 high school volleyball season, some of which showed a vast amount of improvement from the previous campaign. Here are three 9th Region volleyball teams on the rise. Highlands: The Bluebirds captured the 36th District title and reached the 9th District Volleyball Tournament Semifinals during the 2019 high school volleyball season. Nearly notching 30 wins, Highlands ended the 2019 season 29-8. However, graduation didn’t spare Highlands. Still, senior defensive specialist Brooke Blitz (235 digs, 41 service aces) and junior middle blocker/right side Cecilia Shick (280 kills, 63 blocks, 53 digs) are back for the Bluebirds. Holy Cross (Covington): After making an appearance in the 9th Region Volleyball Tournament and compiling a 23-11 record during the 2019 high school volleyball season, Holy Cross (Covington) is carrying momentum into the upcoming campaign. The Indians finished runner-up to Notre Dame in the 35th District in 2019. Senior middle hitter/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="68091" first="Torri" last="Wurtz"] (302 kills, 29 digs, 129 digs, 172 service aces), sophomore defensive specialist/setter [player_tooltip player_id="68147" first="Maya" last="Hunt"] (451 assists, 136 digs, 92 service aces) and freshman middle blocker Julia Hunt (216 kills, 102 blocks, 31 digs, 21 service aces) are the top returning players for 35th District title contender Holy Cross (Covington). Lloyd Memorial: The Juggernauts showed improvement throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, finishing 20-10. Prior to the start of the 2019 prep volleyball season, Lloyd Memorial placed third in its division at the Bluegrass State Games. Seniors Rylan Pierson (132 kills, 63 digs, 75 service aces), Ella Viox (233 assists, 37 digs, 33 service aces) and [player_tooltip player_id="68108" first="Jada" last="Gentry"] (122 kills, 25 assists, 96 digs, 35 service aces) as well as junior Jalyn Ballman (126 kills, 32 blocks) are poised to lead 34th District member Lloyd Memorial in the upcoming campaign.