State Tournament Preview: Regions 9-12

<p>Region champions from throughout Kentucky are preparing to compete in the 2020 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament.</p> <p>A look at the champions from regions 9-12 follows.</p> <p><strong>Notre Dame (Region 9):</strong> Perennial title contender Notre Dame is back on top in Region 9. The Pandas shut out reigning champion Campbell County 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-14) in the Region 9 title match. The duo of senior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id="68075" first="Emma" last="Grace"] and [player_tooltip player_id="68084" first="Anna" last="Long"] leads the Pandas. Grace and Long were tabbed KVCA Players to Watch prior to the start of the 2020 high school volleyball season. Along with Grace and Long, Notre Dame features [player_tooltip player_id="68106" first="Emily" last="Wichmann"], [player_tooltip player_id="68089" first="Abby" last="Powers"], Emily Bentley, [player_tooltip player_id="106678" first="Sydney" last="Nolan"], Kamden Schrand and Cate Scheper. Notre Dame is scheduled to face Wolfe County in the first round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>Scott (Region 10):</strong> After shutting out Campbell County 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-14) in the Region 10 title match, Scott is poised to compete in the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="68093" first="Gabby" last="Kallmeyer"], junior outside hitter Payton Justice and senior middle blocker Ella Chitkara, dubbed KVCA Players to Watch during the preseason, form a solid trio for the Eagles. Additional key players for Scott include Aubrey Griffin, Elise Henderson and Laine Morman. Scott is slated to meet West Jessamine in the opening round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>Henry Clay (Region 11):</strong> Remaining the frontrunner, Henry Clay defeated Tates Creek 3-1 (27-25, 16-25, 25-17, 25-22) in the Region 11 title match. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="68074" first="Abby" last="Shadwick"], senior right side [player_tooltip player_id="68092" first="Emma" last="Shadwick"], senior setter Ellery Gray, senior libero Madilyn Fields, senior outside hitter Lillie Feldhaus, junior defensive specialist Emily Adkins, senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="103833" first="Paige" last="Wagers"] and junior middle blocker Gracie DiNardo combine to make up a balanced attack for the Blue Devils. [player_tooltip player_id="68074" first="Abby" last="Shadwick"] was named the 2020 KVCA Region 11 Player of the Year. Henry Clay (20-3) is slated to face Corbin in the opening round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>West Jessamine (Region 12):</strong> Headed back to the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament after knocking off Southwestern 3-1 (29-27, 25-17, 18-25, 25-23) in the Region 12 title match, West Jessamine (17-8) overcame a slow start early in the regular season. Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Ava Gdovka, junior defensive specialist/libero Sydney Collins, junior setter/outside hitter Olivia McKibben, junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Emily Krintz and sophomore middle hitter/middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="106675" first="Brooke" last="Hager"] are players to watch for the Colts. </p>