Team Profile: NewCath seeks return to glorious past

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex is coming together near the high school, giving the sports teams and the supporters at Newport Central Catholic something to look forward to soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The volleyball team has a number of reasons for optimism things will change this fall after going through a sixth losing season in seven years and graduating nine seniors from last fall's team that finished 15-21 and lost in the 9th Region quarterfinals for the ninth straight season. The Thoroughbreds have a glorious past that includes numerous 36th District championships and region championships along with trips to the state semifinals in 2008 and 2009 and an All "A" State title in 2008.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Angie Reckers said this is the most players the team has seen playing competitive volleyball in the spring at various clubs such as [program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club'], [program_tooltip program_id='430241' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Junior Volleyball'] and [program_tooltip program_id='771255' first='Crush' last='Volleyball Club'] or even taking private lessons in a while. Reckers noted some of them did that despite also playing other sports such as basketball, softball or track and field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We don't have to knock any dust off," Reckers said. "We can just hit the ground running. The skills are still sharp. We're just kind of picking up where we left off last year. All of our positions covered. It's going to be exciting to see what they do. I think they're anxious to get started this season."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reckers said she has some strong classes coming through. Six of the returning players have some varsity experience, especially the back court trio of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Piperlyn' last='Kramer'], [player_tooltip player_id='540518' first='Paytin' last='Reckers'] and junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers']. The trio combined for 1,007 digs and 151 aces last fall. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='743567' first='Maura' last='Franzen'] and sophomore Maddie Sandfoss looked good as hitters in the spring and sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='512719' first='Charlotte' last='Stevie'] helped the [program_tooltip program_id='771255' first='Crush' last='Volleyball Club'] 15 National team win the 15 Classic Division national title of the Navy Pier Asics National Championship in Chicago in June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='776882' first='Kolbey' last='Kohrs'] is also looking to step in. Kohrs played defensive specialist/right side hitter for the [program_tooltip program_id='430243' first='NKYVC' last=''] 15-3 Typhoon team after setting for the NewCath junior varsity team in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Reckers said competitiveness is sometimes taken personally, but should not be. Coach Reckers did say things will be addressed if they do come up, adding there has not been any issue with team chemistry with these returning players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The practices start after the no contact Kentucky High School Dead Period concludes on Wednesday. The team opens the season against Villa Madonna on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743567"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686c660c91693"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Franzen (pictured) dominated on the junior varsity level last fall and hopes to continue the momentum from club season into this fall. She has a great arm swing sending balls to different directions from the middle and the pins. Franzen said she has improved closing on her blocks and it showed during club season. From a leadership standpoint, Franzen said the team is running different routes and Franzen is helping her teammates figure out where to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540518"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686c660c916eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reckers said she's improved reading hitters better in club season and it has paid off. Reckers is more consistent and fluid with her first passes. Reckers also takes nice swings if the team is out of system. Reckers is also a sound server. Reckers noted mixing up service spots is important because opponents have to adjust the serve receive and it could get them out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686c660c9173d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kramer brings great experience to the Thoroughbreds in the back court. Kramer is aggressive with first touches and serving. She mixes up her serves, but is not afraid to send balls to places opponents are struggling, including the shallow two zone. Kramer said her serve reception has improved during club season. Kramer played libero on her club team giving her new perspectives with first touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776882"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686c660c91784"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kohrs has been productive at all six spots on the court during club season. She has good footwork to chase down balls and make good two to three-point passes. Kohrs can hit balls around blockers and mixes up her sets. Kohrs said she's done work to improve her setting skills, vertical jump and foot speed in order to fill any role Coach Reckers needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and a half and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->