9th Region preview: Experienced Notre Dame team favored again

The Notre Dame Pandas have such an incredible rhythm that can be described as Tick (Bump) then Tack (Set) followed by a hard follow-through Toe (Spike).   Their coaches will say they try to better the ball every time they touch it. That will be a lot more so this year with an experienced team that graduated just one player from last year's state 33-6 runner-up squad. Of the six losses, three came against state champion Assumption. The Pandas did take one game against the Rockets last year and will be looking to climb back on top after winning state in 2020 and 2022.   Notre Dame has seven seniors on the roster and three are committed to NCAA Division I schools. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='210634' first='Julia' last='Grace'] and 6-1 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='210633' first='Ava' last='Tilden'] are committed to Xavier University and 6-1 outside [player_tooltip player_id='159327' first='Riley' last='McCloskey'] is committed to Memphis. McCloskey's status for the season is unknown because of an injury suffered during club season. Tilden led the Pandas with 355 kills last year and Grace dug up a team-high 487 balls to go with a team-high 48 aces serving.   Another senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz'] returns bringing a huge net presence. Goetz led the Pandas with 84 blocks including 11 solo last year doing a lot of things to help her team succeed. [player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253867' first='Hannah' last='Dannenberg'] also return as defensive specialists after digging up 262 and 151 balls respectively last year.   Notre Dame's two setters are back for third seasons sharing the duties there. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='269766' first='Lauren' last='Ott'] had 710 assists last year and junior [player_tooltip player_id='379687' first='Lizzy' last='Larkins'] had 566.   Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'], a Wake Forest commit, gives the Pandas size in the middle at 6-2 and another junior in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'] returns to give Notre Dame another offensive weapon. The Pandas try to have three hitting options on each play trying to keep defenses guessing.   Notre Dame co-head coach Leslie Litmer said a balanced offense and everyone contributing defensively will be keys for the Pandas. Litmer added she'd like to see the Pandas do better job maintaining serves equating to nice runs that put teams away.   Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] hopes to add to the Notre Dame depth this fall. Junior 6-1 opposite/middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='571992' first='Katie' last='Zwick'] and freshman opposite/middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] round out the roster.   The Pandas open the season at Boone County on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.   Here is how the rest of the region could shake out.   33rd District   Ryle (24-13 last year)   The Raiders have consistently been near the top of the region and that is not expected to change this season.   Ryle may have graduated five seniors from last year's squad that has won four straight district championships, but they have looked solid in the preseason with some key new additions, going 5-1 in the Bluegrass Games making it to the championship flight. Veteran head coach Tasha Lovins said finding leadership from the upperclassmen will be a key to success this season.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='212347' first='Morgan' last='Heater'] brings back a lot of versatility having led the Raiders with 552 assists last year to go with 238 digs and 123 kills. Seniors hitters [player_tooltip player_id='210710' first='Lucy' last='Trapp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253871' first='Karsyn' last='Griffin'] return after leading Ryle with 235 and 207 kills, respectively last year. Senior hitter/setter Rebecca Kramer also gives the Raiders options with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='535265' first='Rachel' last='King'] also returning after recording 103 and 102 kills, respectively last year. Griffin is committed to play beach volleyball at the University of North Alabama and Trapp is committed to Thomas More.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'] has stepped into the libero role nicely and 6-0 eighth grader Layna Wilkinson hopes to give the Raiders solid play at the net. Junior Ariana Furuta also hopes to step in and give the Raiders solid minutes at defensive specialist.   Ryle opens the season at Paul Laurence Dunbar in Lexington on Aug. 20.   Conner (28-9)   The Cougars come in off a break-through season last year having won the first 9th Region Tournament game in school history.   Conner graduated 10 seniors from that team, but the cupboard is far from bare. Head coach Douglas Rabe said it's a matter of seeing how the inexperienced players handle tough situations.   Senior defensive specialist Bailey Morris brings back experience after recording 184 digs last year. Seniors Mackenzie Sandeen at setter/opposite hitter and Rhiannon Sandeen at outside/opposite hitter also return with varsity experience along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='602465' first='Annika' last='Berwanger'] at middle and opposite hitter and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber']. Freshman 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'] could make a splash this season.   Conner hosts Bishop Brossart on Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the season opener.   Cooper (14-19)   The Jaguars had their struggles with youth and inexperience last year. They are hoping those lumps turn into bigger things this year. Veteran head coach Michelle Isaac said trusting each other to build team chemistry will be a big key to that.   Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='159399' first='Audrey' last='Schilling'] returns for her fourth season on varsity after leading the Jaguars with 320 kills and tying for the team lead with 44 aces to go with 356 digs. Other key returning players are sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='535268' first='Addison' last='Warth'], senior hitter/setter Makenna Depue, senior hitters Dani Depenbrock, Carly Schroder, junior hitter [player_tooltip player_id='777996' first='Jillian' last='Puckett'] and junior defensive specialist Violet Birtcil.   A question mark for the Jaguars is at setter. Isaac said the team is leaning toward running a 6-2 offense with Depue, senior Carman Kemper or another setter. Two freshmen in 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id='771296' first='Jayden' last='Fletcher'] in the middle and Isabella Taylor will also look to make impacts for the Jaguars this fall.   Cooper travels to Simon Kenton on Aug. 22 to open the season.   Boone County (9-24)   The Rebels could not quite improve on the win total from the previous year despite having five experienced seniors.   Senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='159391' first='Azaria' last='Sweet'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603514' first='Maddie' last='Yelton'] are among the returning players with varsity experience. Sweet had 550 digs and 68 aces for the Rebels last fall.   Boone County opens the season Aug. 19 at home against Notre Dame at 7 p.m.   Heritage Academy (6-21)   Caitlyn Baker knew she'd have a young team in her first season guiding the Eagles.   The good news is everyone returns this season. The leaders are junior [player_tooltip player_id='212299' first='Alexis' last='Stephens'] and senior setter Kylie Fichle. Stephens had 136 kills and 222 digs with Fichle recording 135 assists.   The Eagles open the season at Dayton on Aug. 20.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/718-Maya-Kondik.jpg?w=931" alt="" class="wp-image-496152" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='210638' first='Maya' last='Kondik'], Villa Madonna</figcaption></figure>   34th District   St. Henry (31-9)   The Crusaders have consistently been in the thick of the region race, last winning the region in 2021 on the way to the second state championship in school history.   St. Henry graduated six seniors from last year's team, including three playing NCAA Division I. However, veteran head coach Maureen Kaiser and staff generally find ways to stay at the perch in the rugged northern Kentucky region.   Senior defensive specialist Lizzie Casey, junior outside hitter/setter [player_tooltip player_id='451098' first='Madi' last='Demler'] and junior hitter [player_tooltip player_id='594619' first='Emily' last='Helmers'] return with a lot of varsity experience. Helmers at 6-1 and senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='159378' first='Corrine' last='Blackburn'] give the Crusaders size. Demler had 168 kills and Helmers 157 for the Crusaders last year.   Kaiser set strong serve receive, ball control and net play will be a key for St. Henry's continued success. She'll be looking to those four plus junior outside hitter Gianna Butler to help give the freshmen confidence on the varsity level. Kaiser listed three freshman looking to contribute this year in middle hitter Violet Main, setter [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'].   St. Henry opens the season Aug. 21 at Newport Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m.   Dixie Heights (11-16)   Head coach Julie Kelly said the Colonels are striving for more balance this year in their 5-1 offensive system. The main hitter last year in Maggie Best had 393 of the team's 703 kills for just under 56 percent.   Best took her talents to Spring Hill University in Mobile, Alabama. She was one of four seniors to graduate from last fall's team that lost to Notre Dame in the first round of the 9th Region Tournament that also included libero Christen Tarter, who is not playing at Ohio Dominican University.   One hitter that could step in is senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='486903' first='Addison' last='Birk']. Kelly said two sophomore middle blockers in 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='757909' first='Katie' last='Kennedy'] and 5-10 [player_tooltip player_id='620750' first='Bailey' last='McQuinlin'] could also make an instant impact at the net as well.   The Colonels have experience at the other two positions. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='590128' first='Hannah' last='Wilson'] is committed to Spalding University in Louisville with senior defensive specialists Allison Bishop and Klaryssa Vivero contributing there as well. Two junior setters with experience return in [player_tooltip player_id='771865' first='Maddie' last='Kelly'] and Riley Byrne. Kelly had 448 assists and Byrne 126.   Dixie Heights opens the season at Campbell County on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.   Villa Madonna (19-8)   Sandi Kitchen enters her 31st season leading the program that owns the state's lone state championship outside of the Dominant Five (Notre Dame, St. Henry with Louisville powers Mercy, Sacred Heart and Assumption) in 1980.   This group hopes to help the Vikings make it back to the region tournament for the first time since 2015. The main issue has been getting by Dixie Heights in the district semifinals. Villa won the regular season matchup 3-2 last year for the first win in the series since that year, but could not repeat the feat six days later losing 3-0 to the Colonels in the district semifinals.   It starts at the net with senior 6-0 middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='210638' first='Maya' last='Kondik'], who is committed to Centre College in Danville. She led the Vikings with 234 kills last year. Senior setter Catherine Gifford and two defensive specialists in senior Rebecca Raziano and junior [player_tooltip player_id='248435' first='Victoria' last='Sebald'] are key returning players along with eighth grade outside hitter Ellie Breitling. Gifford had 232 assists, 178 digs and 52 aces for the Vikings last year.   Kitchen said she loves the dedication of the team and the team will be strong at the net. Therefore, Kitchen said it will be excited to see what the Vikings accomplish this year.   Villa Madonna opens the season at Bishop Brossart on Aug. 20.   Lloyd Memorial (12-17)   The Juggernauts doubled their win total from the previous year last year and hope to do more despite the graduation of five seniors. The 12 wins were the most for the Juggernauts since going 20-10 in 2019.   Hether Pfalz took over the program in 2016. She welcomes back the top two leaders in kills in seniors Izabel Berger and Chandler Merritt with 145 and 120, respectively. Last year's leader in digs with 407 in senior [player_tooltip player_id='774497' first='Lorelei' last='Tomlinson'] also returns.   Lloyd Memorial hosts Holy Cross on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. to start the season.   Ludlow (14-18)   The Panthers have nowhere to go but up after going 0-6 against district opponents last year.   Ludlow graduated five players from last years team. However, senior libero Addison Pegg returns after digging up a team-high 176 balls and junior setter Alex Adcock returns after recording a team-high 142 assists.   Ludlow travels to Williamstown on Aug. 19 to start the season at 7 p.m.   35th District   Beechwood (25-13)   The Tigers knew they had a lot of young talent coming in. Matt Long returned to the sidelines, helped mold the team together and helped guide Beechwood back to the region tournament for the first time since 2017, besting Holy Cross in the district semifinals.   Junior libero Maggie Dawson led the way defensively with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] setting up the attacks. Dawson had a team-high 453 digs and Estep had 899 assists, but a number of players gave the Tigers balance.   Beechwood's top five kills leaders return led by [player_tooltip player_id='485948' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'] with 237. [player_tooltip player_id='397726' first='Isabel' last='Bakker'], [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'], [player_tooltip player_id='594624' first='Kendale' last='Lair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski'] also had triple-digit kill totals. O'Brien added 299 digs and a team-high 101 aces.   Long listed daily improvements as a key to continued success along with solid serve receive, strong serving and passing. He added solid team cohesion goes a long way in the sport.   Beechwood opens the season at Scott on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.   Holy Cross (23-11)   With Beechwood's rise, Holy Cross missed the region tournament for the first time since 2017. The Indians graduated six seniors including reigning Kentucky Player of the Year Julia Hunt, who is now at the University of Washington.   The Indians know it will be tough to make it back to region, but they will give it a shot. Co-head coach Jill Hunt said defense and shots at various angles on offense will be big as the team will be undersized. Jill Hunt also said the experienced players need to be leaders.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484458' first='Lucy' last='Lenihan'] returns at setter and junior [player_tooltip player_id='212391' first='Olivia' last='McHenry'] returns primarily as a defensive specialist. Lenihan had 568 assists and 203 digs. Senior Kyah Ryan will be the go-to hitter with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='612183' first='Avery' last='Sturgeon'] leading as the libero and eighth grader Lacey Hunt contributing as a setter/hitter.   Holy Cross opens the season at Lloyd Memorial on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.   Holmes (5-24)   Brittany Vancini returns for her third season trying to build up the program.   Holmes graduated two seniors from last year's team. Sophomore Jaida Barnes is among the leading returning players.   Holmes takes on Walton-Verona on Aug. 20 at Dayton at 6 p.m. to start the season.   Covington Latin (0-11)   Head coach Heather Hill hopes to guide the Trojans to their first win in two seasons.   The team graduated two seniors from last year. Senior Alexcianna is among the returning players.   Covington Latin takes on Grant County at 6:30 p.m. at Lloyd Memorial on Aug. 20 to start the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/749-Hayden-Gessner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-496137" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='276170' first='Hayden' last='Gessner'], Highlands</figcaption></figure>   36th District   Highlands (19-14)   The Bluebirds seem to be much further ahead than last year in Jim DeLong's second year of his second stint leading the Bluebirds if the team builds on the success at the Bluegrass Games.   Highlands finished 5-3 at the Bluegrass Games, advancing to the championship flight on Sunday. The Bluebirds bested Greenup County on the final day, then battled Paul Laurence Dunbar to a third game before Dunbar came within a point of beating eventual two-time champion Sacred Heart.   Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='276170' first='Hayden' last='Gessner'] returns for her fourth season on varsity after leading the Bluebirds with 474 digs last year. Both setters also return in senior [player_tooltip player_id='395942' first='Ella' last='Cox'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='503792' first='Ava' last='Muzumdar'] after recording 532 and 472 assists respectively.   DeLong said familiarity with the style the Bluebirds want to play in addition to team chemistry and ball control should be strong this year. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='486907' first='Lyla' last='Bottom'], [player_tooltip player_id='486914' first='Sydney' last='Schomaker'] in addition to junior [player_tooltip player_id='590640' first='Liz' last='Perkins'] and freshman lefthander [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser'] give the Bluebirds plenty of firepower at the net. Schomaker led that group with 193 kills.   Highlands has won seven straight district tournament championships and has not lost to a district opponent since 2020.   Highlands travels to Holmes on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.   Newport Central Catholic (17-20)   At the beginning of the season at the start of a road game, head coach Angie Reckers said, "Come on girls. Get excited!"   By the end of the season, that was a non-issue and it looks to have carried into this season during the Bluegrass Games. NewCath won 9-of-10 to conclude the regular season after a 1-7 start recording the most number of wins since 2017.   It took some time for the two main defensive specialists in junior [player_tooltip player_id='540518' first='Paytin' last='Reckers'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] to adjust to the varsity level. But once they did, they helped the Thoroughbreds turn around the season. [player_tooltip player_id='540518' first='Paytin' last='Reckers'] had 334 digs and 63 aces with [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] recording 271 digs. Those two along with junior Piperlyn Kramer and Elise Fowler lead the defense with senior Vivi Fassler and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='512719' first='Charlotte' last='Stevie'] both playing setter. Fassler had 261 assists last year.   Angie Reckers said consistency for the hitters and teamwork will be keys to success for the Thoroughbreds. She said the team is loaded with offensive weapons so some players will have to wait for their turn then take advantage when they come. Seniors Reese McCloskey, Elena Henderson, twins Katelyn Brannen, Jaylee Brannen, Madison Wolf and Kramer will look to shoulder the offensive balance. McCloskey led that group with 167 kills and 60 blocks last year.   NewCath opens the season Aug. 20 against Newport on the Hill at 7 p.m.   Dayton (15-19)   The Devils graduated three seniors off last year's squad. Among the returning players are junior middle blocker Ella Boyers and senior defensive specialist/outside hitter McKenzie Sullivan.   Dayton travels to Newport on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. for the season opener.   Bellevue (10-17)   Former Highlands player Lauren Maines-Sparks returns for her third season leading the Tigers after they improved their win total by three from her first season.   Bellevue saw two players graduate. Jayda Dowell, Jaylah Dowell and Paulina Long are among the returning players.   The Tigers travel to Lloyd Memorial for a 4:30 p.m. game on Aug. 20 to start the season.   Newport (7-25)   Jessica Perrin takes over a team that graduated four seniors. She can build around senior defensive specialist/outside hitter Rayona Lindsey and sophomore libero Amariana Cook.   Newport hosts Dayton on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. to start the season.   Here are some players to watch.    Grace (pictured up top) has taken lessons learned from previous Notre Dame greats including her older sister Emma and made her own name for the Pandas. She is a hustler covering every square inch of the court well. Grace does a great job reading and reacting to plays leading to exceptional levels of play. Her serving and setting can not be overlooked either. Grace quietly finished third on the team in assists last year.     Tilden has been an offensive weapon for the Pandas ever since she stepped foot onto the Notre Dame campus. She puts a lot of power into her strong right arm and can put balls all over the court. Tilden is especially dangerous on cross-court shots to the line. Tilden has been working on her back row attacks during club season adding to her game. Tilden is a solid passer and gives good spin on her serves. Her demeanor on the court is underrated. Tilden constantly encourages teammates whether the team is leading or trailing.     Trapp is hoping for a monster senior year after turning into a solid player for the Raiders last year. Her enthusiasm shows each time she takes the court. Trapp hustles after balls on defense and transitions fast to offense. Trapp is not afraid to make adjustments in the air to find ways to put balls down. She'll smack down overpassed balls and turn away setter dump attempts with force.     Schilling hopes to finish off what has been a brilliant career for the Jaguars really strong. Schilling has a great approach to the net in the middle and from the pins, constantly finding ways to put balls down including shallow cross court shots. She can even take swings from the back row and tip balls giving defenses something extra to consider. Schilling is also a great passer and keeps opponents out of rhythm defensively with hard serves.     Estep did a great job stepping into the needed role for the Tigers, consistently reading defenses and putting the ball in places for the Beechwood hitters to put balls down. She throws a number of sets at defenses to keep them honest including back sets. Estep goes hard after balls defensively and helps control the net when needed.

The Notre Dame Pandas have such an incredible rhythm that can be described as Tick (Bump) then Tack (Set) followed by a hard follow-through Toe (Spike).