9th Region Preview: Favored Notre Dame seeks another gold trophy

When you are three points away from a state championship and do not finish the job, it more than drives motivation to go back and finish.   The Notre Dame Pandas found themselves up 12-7 in the fifth set of the state championship against rival Assumption, but could not seal the deal losing the set 17-15 to finish 32-8 on the season. Notre Dame graduated four seniors from that team, but still returns enough top-notch talent to reload for another run at a state championship. They have 10 in program history with the most recent one coming in 2022, which is good for second in the state.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='484250' first='Teagan' last='Kondik'] leads the charge after posting 310 kills and 105 digs last year along with setter [player_tooltip player_id='798218' first='Ellie' last='Osterkamp']. The other seniors are opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484450' first='Leah' last='Bowman'] and defensive specialist Emma Miller. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='774790' first='Elise' last='Grout'] anchor a solid Panda defense. Notre Dame co-head coach Hannah Colvin said consistency is a big thing for the Pandas defensively, noting players do not play with many teammates in different grade levels during club season. Thus, it's an added bonus that the defensive specialists return with a year of varsity experience playing with each other.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] anchors the middle at 6-2 with junior [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] making things happen from the pins. Sophomore pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='731698' first='Ellie' last='Breitling'] hopes to add to the balanced offense. Three new juniors to varsity are pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='908473' first='Pippa' last='Holbrook'], setter Tessa Fite and defensive specialist Rylee Riddle. They hope to continue to give the Pandas the depth advantage they've enjoyed over the years. Notre Dame co-head coach Madison Salkowski said the depth allows the Pandas to rely on any player at any given time and they emphasize finding what is working offensively whether power shots or tactical shots like cut shots.   Notre Dame opens the season at Conner on Aug. 18.   The St. Henry Crusaders (24-16 last year) endured some adversity late in the season with a five-game losing streak that included two 9th Region losses. However, the Crusaders snapped out of it in time for the postseason with a 3-0 win at Paul Laurence Dunbar then drove back to the region title game and took Notre Dame to five sets before losing.   Five seniors graduated, but the Crusaders return plenty of experience per usual starting with the dynamic juniors of libero [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert'] and 6-1 hitter [player_tooltip player_id='709517' first='Violet' last='Main']. Three other juniors with extensive varsity experience are defensive specialist Audrey Pieczonka, opposite/middle Stella Flick and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='727147' first='Molly' last='Blackburn']. Seniors Kali McCane at defensive specialist and right side Kaitlyn Seiter along with junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='950707' first='Hadley' last='Lemmond'] saw limited varsity action last year. Veteran head coach Maureen Kaiser also said to watch out for senior right side Kayleigh McCormick and sophomore outside/middle [player_tooltip player_id='1005143' first='Ashley' last='Hammond'].   Kaiser said she has a well-rounded group, but they are working out some kinks in the preseason. She noted Keipert, Sieg and Main are on their third seasons starting so they'll be depended on for leadership and staying healthy will be another key.   St. Henry opens the season at Villa Madonna on Aug. 17.   The Beechwood Tigers (33-6) looked like a serious threat to break down the wall in the region at times last year and return the experience to make a run at it again. Head coach Matt Long is a director at Tri-State Elite and he returns all but four seniors from last year's All "A" State championship team. They also made the region semifinals for the first time since 2017. They took one of the three matches from St. Henry.   Things start up front with experienced senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='456668' first='Skylr' last='Estep'] along with last year's three kills leaders in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484442' first='Isabel' last='O'Brien'], middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='484443' first='Macy' last='Armstrong'] and pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='456263' first='Rachel' last='Lewandowski']. [player_tooltip player_id='827943' first='Teegan' last='Becker'] also gives the Tigers solid size as a 6-3 middle blocker.   The Tigers have some question marks on defense. However, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='966134' first='Kennedy' last='Sturgeon'] may be ready to step in there after playing libero for Elevation 14 Jeni in the spring. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='476283' first='Emma' last='Stewart'] and freshman Emma Harris may also be ready to step in there or contribute at the pins. Junior Delilah Henkel could step in on the outside and junior [player_tooltip player_id='947991' first='Hailey' last='Flaherty'] could do the same at right side. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='992381' first='Charlotte' last='Conway'] rounds out the roster in the middle and right side.   Long said staying healthy and coming together as a team will be keys to a deep postseason run. Long added first touches go a long way to success so the Tigers have been working hard at them. Beechwood starts the season Aug. 21 and 22 at the Showdown at the Sunsphere in Knoxville.   33rd District   Ryle Raiders (22-14)   The Raiders remain the favories to win a seventh consecutive district championship until someone knocks them off. They've not lost to a district opponent since 2022.   They did graduate solid all-around Morgan Heater and libero Ria Furuta. However, the Raiders return three of the top four setters in sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='731690' first='Layna' last='Wilkinson'], junior middle/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'] and senior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='781286' first='Bridget' last='Burns']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='767630' first='Morgan' last='Gehring'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='774786' first='Clare' last='Holtzapfel'] are back to run the offense. Holtzapfel stepped in when Heater got injured last year. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='334217' first='Francesca' last='Hansel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='919067' first='Adailee' last='Schoborg'] return to lead on defense. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='485046' first='Emma' last='Jankowski'] could also aid on defense.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='535265' first='Rachel' last='King'] could take swings in the middle and junior [player_tooltip player_id='891333' first='Pyper' last='Sandman'] could do the same in the middle or right side. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='770338' first='Sadie' last='Bolser'] could contribute at right side or middle blocker with junior Mckenna Broz swinging at outside or right side hitter.   Veteran head coach Tasha Lovins said the team has been working to improve in practice. Lovins admits the Raiders have growing to do but credits their mentality to take steps forward daily. The first game is Aug. 17 at Paul Laurence Dunbar in Lexington.   Conner Cougars (26-10)   The Cougars have had a steady rise over the years, making it to the region tournament twice in three years with a region tournament win in 2023. Conner returns experience trying to take things to another level led by junior 6-3 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'] and senior setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'].   Senior outside hitter Aurora Sandfoss is also back along with junior setter/right side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='782751' first='Alexis' last='Kampsen']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='887150' first='Makena' last='Marks'] is back at libero and junior [player_tooltip player_id='888345' first='Addy' last='Back'] also returns after a strong defensive season last year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='780003' first='Lillian' last='Kamm'] could also help out there along with senior Brynn Raney. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='896081' first='Rhys' last='Everett'] contributed at the right side and middle last year and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1000100' first='Chloe' last='Lambert'] could do the same at the pins after a strong club season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='938743' first='Averi' last='Smith'] looks to make waves in the middle or right side with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='991731' first='Payton' last='Michels'] looking to contribute on the outside or on defense. Junior Olivia McConnell could give the Cougars good swings at the pins with Olivia Borneman doing the same in the middle.   Head coach Douglas Rabe commended the Cougars for playing with a lot of excitement and no fear. He listed much better blocking and overall ball control on offense as keys to taking more steps forward.   Conner hosts Notre Dame on Aug. 18 to begin the season.   Cooper Jaguars (11-18)   They're not used to seasons like last year in that part of Union. But a 6-2 showing in the Varsity B group at the Bluegrass Games could indicate an upward tick for Cooper. The Jaguars pride themselves on strong defense and a Bluegrass Games opposing head coach said one could tell it means a lot to them.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='894435' first='Zoe' last='Cheek'] leads Cooper there with juniors Karly Barbour, Reese Moore and freshman Maci Justice also looking to contribute there. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='930999' first='Julia' last='Thoman'] could play defensvie specialist or opposite hitter. Freshman Lillianna Brown is back at setter and the other one is sophomore Sydney Ashcraft. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='799426' first='Taylor' last='Eversole'] could set. hit opposite or play defensive specialist.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='771300' first='Gisele' last='Slayback'] comes back after a nice season at opposite and middle and junior outside Isabella Taylor is back for her third season on varsity. Junior Blakely White could take swings from the outside with both junior [player_tooltip player_id='850531' first='Payton' last='Fish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1005718' first='Kylie' last='Warner'] playing middle and opposite. Freshman Harper Myers rounds out the roster at middle blocker.   Head coach Michelle Isaac said the Jaguars are committed to making each other better with focus on the little things to improve on all aspects. Isaac said the focus has been on ball control and communication with each other to bring out the best in each other. Isaac added it was good to see the Jaguars mesh as a team against good competition at the Bluegrass Games. The first game on the schedule is against Notre Dame on Aug. 20.   Boone County Rebels (15-19)   The Rebels return a wealth of experience after graduating just two players off last year's team.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='770336' first='Abby' last='Kindoll'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='896062' first='Ava' last='Kindoll'] led the Rebels on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='770336' first='Abby' last='Kindoll'] had 439 digs last year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='486908' first='Maddie' last='Yelton'] is back to run the offense and can send balls to some talented hitters led by freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='896060' first='Avery' last='Scott']. Two seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='840637' first='Madilyn' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='810654' first='Alivia' last='Miller'] give the Rebels strength in the middle. Miller also takes nice swings on the right side.   Boone County travels to Dixie Heights to start the season Aug. 18.   Heritage Eagles   The Eagles graduated just two seniors off last year's team. They return junior setter/outside hitter Adriana Stephens, senior libero Aliyah Byrley and sophomore outside/defensive specialist Adrienne Rounds.   34th District   Dixie Heights Colonels (8-19)   Niah Drayton is back for her second season as head coach. They made it back to the region tournament last year after missing it in 2024.   Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='557889' first='Payton' last='Bromley'] and senior setter Eyden Moats lead the way as the Colonels graduated five seniors off last year's team. Seniors Bailey McQuinlen and [player_tooltip player_id='757909' first='Katie' last='Kennedy'] are the team's leading returning hitters with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1005271' first='Jess' last='Clasgens'] stepping in to help on defense. Senior Sam Skees could also make an impact offensively.   Drayton said the Colonels have a lot of work to do, but said she believes the girls have the grit, talent and heart to shake up a lot of teams this year. The first game is Aug. 18 at home against Boone County.   Villa Madonna Vikings (13-13)   The Vikings could not make a consecutive appearance in the region tournament, but only graduated one senior off the team.   Veteran head coach Sandi Kitchen said if the team can take pressure off the back row with blocking and run a consistent offense, the team could be tough in the confidence and make a run at region. That starts up front with sophomore Blakely Bennett and eighth grader Blakely Bennett in the middle. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='791679' first='Anna' last='Raziano'] is back at setter and defensive specialist along with junior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='794501' first='Hope' last='Frost']. [player_tooltip player_id='834744' first='Lexi' last='Elizalde Reyes'] hopes to give the Vikings power from the outside.   Villa Madonna hosts St. Henry on Aug. 17.   Ludlow Panthers (11-22)   Veteran head coach Jodi Schmidt welcomes back all but three seniors from last year and a returning player transferred away. With just one senior, one junior, five sophomores, three freshmen and an eighth grader, Ludlow will be young this year. Schmidt said the Panthers need to continue to build on basic fundamentals and helping them get used to the faster pace on the varsity level to take steps forward this year.   Freshman Rosie Clary is the team's new libero. Three sophomores in middle hitter London Vogt, outside/middle Zoey Wilson and outside/setter Zarah Wilson led the team in kills.   Ludlow starts the season at Owen County on Aug. 17.   Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (8-17)   Jennifer Sams only saw two players graduate from her first season as head coach. Senior setter Camya Hatcher is back along with the two leading hitters in seniors Emarie Litton and [player_tooltip player_id='829768' first='Asia' last='Payne']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='792622' first='Brooklyn' last='Jackson'] also returns after leading the team in digs.   The team hosts Bracken County on Aug. 18.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/KolbeyKohrs3.jpg?w=660" alt="" class="wp-image-882285" /></figure>   35th District   Holy Cross Indians (20-14)   The Indians may be stuck in between a rock and a hard shell in terms of making it back to the region tournament in a tough district, but the Indians will try.   They return all but one starter from last year led by sophomore setter/outside [player_tooltip player_id='731693' first='Lacey' last='Hunt'], senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='484458' first='Lucy' last='Lenihan'] and two strong sophomore middles in [player_tooltip player_id='816874' first='Maya' last='Hayden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='817590' first='Paige' last='Arlinghaus']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='612183' first='Avery' last='Sturgeon'] is back on defense with junior [player_tooltip player_id='795019' first='Jordyn' last='Timmerding'] also back on defense and taking swings on the outside. Head coach Jill Hunt also said to watch out for junior right side Kensington Adams and eighth grade defensive specialist Kendall Arlinghaus.   Coach Hunt said the team has been focusing on serving and serve reception and also a more aggressive offense. Coach Hunt said ball control will be a huge key to success for the Indians.   Holy Cross travels to Bishop Brossart on Aug. 18 to start the season.   Holmes Bulldogs (3-23)   The Bulldogs struggled last year with two seniors listed on the roster. Two of their wins came against Covington Latin. Holmes takes on Carroll County at Dayton on Aug. 18.   36th District   Highlands Bluebirds (23-10)   The Bluebirds start a new era with Leah Fryman as head coach. Highlands has won the district nine years in a row.   Getting past the region quarterfinals has not come easy after that during that time. It's happened just three times in 2017, 2019 and 2024 only to run into Notre Dame in the region semifinals. The Bluebirds graduated seven seniors from last year's team that took Beechwood to five sets in the region quarterfinals.   Liz Perkins graduated, but the next three kills leaders in junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser'], senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='839058' first='Taylor' last='Janosick'] and senior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='930290' first='Ava' last='Ireland'] are back. Fryman said Steinhauser and Ireland will play six rotations. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='836110' first='Meredith' last='Hicks'] also gives the Bluebirds strength on the outside with senior Ava Gwisdalla contributing on the outside or at defensive specialist. Two juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='608333' first='Bella' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='727125' first='Edy' last='Hobson'] hope to continue to help Highlands in the middle with Thomas also taking swings on the right side. Senior defensive specialist Lyla Shaffer also saw some action on the varsity last year.   Highlands graduated seven altogether from last year including their two setters. Fryman said junior [player_tooltip player_id='779997' first='Carly' last='Skirvin'] could surprise many in that role and on the right side. Sophomore Lilly Donelan could also step in at setter. Senior Isla Green will play middle blocker with freshman Addison Glaser playing defensive specialist and outside hitter. Freshman defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='938752' first='Mary' last='Messmer'] will dress on varsity.   Fryman said the team is dealing with injuries right now, but the players are buying in to what the coaching staff is trying to do. The first game is Aug. 17 against Calvary Christian.   Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (19-17)   The Thoroughbreds have risen steadily in recent years achieving 19 wins last year for the first time since 2017. They'd like to hit 20 wins for the first time since going 21-15 in 2016. That is the last year NewCath won the district crown.   Head coach Angie Reckers welcomes back a lot of experience from last year with the graduation of just three seniors. Reckers said the plan is to employ the 6-2 behind the versatile junior setters [player_tooltip player_id='776882' first='Kolbey' last='Kohrs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='512719' first='Charlotte' last='Stevie']. The duo are able to contribute in other areas as well. Reckers adi the ball control is the strongest the team has had in a while and the team will be able to substitute a lot of players in and out with their depth.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='484445' first='Jordyn' last='Reckers'] is back for another senior at libero with senior Grace Mumpher and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1000296' first='Cecilia' last='Reid'] also contributing there. The five hitters that recorded 100 or more kills last year including Kohrs are back. They are senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='891631' first='Bella' last='Schaber'], junior outside [player_tooltip player_id='882125' first='Miley' last='Wolf'], senior middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='743567' first='Maura' last='Franzen'] and junior middle/outside [player_tooltip player_id='816320' first='Maddie' last='Sandfoss']. Senior Alexa Combs hopes to make waves at middle blocker with senior Peyton Niehaus aiming to take big swings on the right side.   Coach Reckers said the hope offensively is to see the setters and hitters develop good connections to terminate the third balls. She said blocking also helps in terms of controlling the net.   NewCath travels to Villa to start the season on Aug. 18.   Dayton Greendevils (18-12)   The Greendevils go into the season needing to fill in roles of three seniors that graduated. The leading returning player is junior Axie Jimenez.   Dayton travels to Bishop Brossart to start the season Aug. 17.   Bellevue Tigers (7-16)   The Tigers field a large junior class after graduating three seniors last year. Bellevue plays Grant County and Carroll County on Aug. 18 at Dayton.   Newport Cats (5-22)   Senior Amariana Cook leads the Cats into the new season. Junior Rayna Goad and senior Kalyn McFarland also return after putting up impressive digs numbers.   Newport takes on Walton-Verona at Dayon on Aug. 19 to begin the season.   Players to Watch    Osterkamp (pictured at top) brings back great experience for the Pandas. She executes at a fast-pace coming from Tri-State Elite with a great touch and does not lock her arms. She does what she can to better balls each even when the team is out of system. Osterkamp communicates well on the court setting where teammates tell her. Osterkamp makes the most of consistently having three options on the court. She is also solid on first contacts on defense and with serve reception.     Hammond could be a huge factor if the Crusaders are to take back the region this fall. Lemmond has the size to control things at the net. She increased her footwork, arm swing and other aspects playing club for 16-2 Tide this fall. The Crusaders hope to take advantage of her high attack point because she can smack balls all over the court including deep corners. Her strong hands come in handy in blocking. She does a good job slowing down balls for defensive specialists at the middle. Lemmond can also make things happen at the pins.     Sturgeon showed a lot of promise during club season. Sturgeon is super consistent on serve reception and defense. Sturgeon reads hitters well and does what she can to beat balls to their destinations on the floor. Sturgeon forms walls around balls using a superb platform. Sturgeon closes seams quickly and does not seem phased if teams try to wear her out by constantly serving to her. Sturgeon makes quality sets when the team is out of system. Sturgeon provides nice net backup and moves over quickly to handle set-overs.     Schoborg helps solidify a traditionally strong Ryle defense. She has shown she can handle shoots and make adjustments on redirected balls. Schoborg makes a lot of the simple passes and provides nice net backup. She makes the simple passes and reads hitters well. Schoborg closes seams quickly lunging only out of necessity to keep plays alive under control.     Kohrs (bottom picture) has continued to develop her craft in all phases of the game. She is a sound passer and runs an efficient offense in both the 5-1 and 6-2. Kohrs makes good decisions and involves a number of hitters trying to keep opponents guessing where balls are going. Kohrs takes sound shots from the front and back row. Kohrs tools blocks and attacks seams relentlessly. She has nice roll shots and places overpassed balls away from opponents. Kohrs makes smooth transitions from blocking to offense.    Note from Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. 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When you are three points away from a state championship and do not finish the job, it more than drives motivation to go back and finish.