Ranking the 16 teams in the State Tournament

<p>Back-to-back champion Assumption and fellow Louisville powerhouse Mercy will be looking to meet in the 2019 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament title match. But what about the remaining 14 teams in the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament?</p> <p>Here are the 16 teams set to participate in the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament, ranked.</p> <p><strong>1. Assumption (32-7):</strong> The back-to-back state champion is favored to claim its third straight title. Assumption features the last two Ms. Kentucky Volleyball award winners — Anna DeBeer and Rylee Rader. The Rockets defeated Male 3-1 in the 7th Region championship match and will face 14th Region champion Breathitt County in the opening round of the 2019 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>2. Mercy (33-6):</strong> The Jaguars remain a contender for a state championship. Mercy has finished runner-up to Assumption in each of the last two state tournaments. With two-time defensive player of the year Eleanor Beavin and Elena Scott leading the way, Mercy is poised to push for a state title. Mercy will meet 5th Region champion Elizabethtown in the first round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>3. Notre Dame (28-11):</strong> Northern Kentucky powerhouse Notre Dame can't be counted out. The Pandas shut out rival St. Henry 3-0 in the 9th District title match. An experienced team, Notre Dame features Grace Ward, who has recorded 1,218 assists in 39 matches. Notre Dame will battle 1st Region champion McCracken County in the opening round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>4. Greenwood (37-2):</strong> Don't count out 4th Region champion Greenwood either. Greenwood owns the best overall record in the state and is set to take the floor against 2nd Region champion Henderson County in an opening round match. Greenwood lost to a pair of opponents from Illinois earlier in the season. Katie Howard (468 kills, 49 blocks, 233 digs) and Meg Gore (1,204 assists, 200 digs) combine to lead Greenwood.</p> <p><strong>5. North Oldham (26-8):</strong> Could North Oldham break through? No stranger to the State Tournament, North Oldham will face 15th Region champion Floyd Central in a first round match. Brie Postema (888 assists, 210 digs, 109 kills) and Addison Foote (341 kills) are two proven leaders for 8th Region championship winner North Oldham. </p> <p><strong>6. Henry Clay (25-15):</strong> The lone remaining team out of Lexington, Henry Clay made an appearance in the state title match just over three years ago. Sacred Heart defeated Henry Clay 3-1 in the 2016 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament championship match. Now, Taylor Trammell-led Henry Clay is preparing to battle border rival West Jessamine in the opening round of the 2019 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament.</p> <p><strong>7. Elizabethtown (35-3):</strong> Boasting the second-best record in the state, Elizabethtown faces the tough task of meeting Mercy in an opening round match. Sidney Clark (443 kills, 238 blocks, 496 assists, 143 digs, 61 aces), one of the state's top high school volleyball players, leads the Panthers. </p> <p><strong>8. McCracken County (32-8):</strong> The champion out of the 1st Region, McCracken County has rolled through the postseason. But McCracken County faces a challenge ahead as Notre Dame awaits. Aubrey Thomas (992 assists, 185 digs, 74 aces), the 1st Region Player of the Year, paces the McCracken County volleyball team. </p> <p><strong>9. West Jessamine (26-14):</strong> The Colts will be looking to knock off Henry County in the first round of the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. West Jessamine topped Pulaski County 3-1 in the 12th Region title match and features a balanced offensive attack, thanks in part to Victoria Kusche (845 assists).</p> <p><strong>10. Owensboro Catholic (26-10):</strong> With 3rd Region Player of the Year Cassidy Towery leading the way, determined Owensboro Catholic knocked off 3rd Region favorite Breckinridge County 3-2 to advance to the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. Now, Owensboro Catholic is poised to face Campbell County. </p> <p><strong>11. Campbell County (20-15):</strong> Another participant from Northern Kentucky, Campbell County will be attempting to push past Owensboro Catholic when the two similar squads meet in the opening round of the KHSAA Volleyball Tournament. Olivia Crowl and Rylee McKinney lead Campbell County at the net. </p> <p><strong>12. Floyd Central (30-7):</strong> In its third year, Floyd Central managed to capture the 15th Region title. Previously, Floyd Central finished as the 15th Region runner-up in back-to-back seasons. Jadyn Hall and Caroline Parsons are proven leaders for the 15th Region title winner.</p> <p><strong>13. Rowan County (30-9):</strong> The champion out of Region 16, Rowan County beat Boyd County 3-1 to notch its 30th win, claim a championship and advance to the State Tournament. Madison Roar (757, 64 aces) and Bailey Brashear (326 kills, 81 blocks, 60 aces) lead Rowan County, which is set to face Corbin.</p> <p><strong>14. Corbin (25-8):</strong> Following a 12th Region title match triumph over South Laurel, Corbin has turned its focus to Rowan County. Corbin has excelled in the second half of the 2019 prep volleyball season after starting the campaign 4-4. </p> <p><strong>15. Henderson County (23-12):</strong> Persistent Henderson County captured its fifth straight 2nd Region title in late-October, outlasting University Heights 3-2. Henderson County will need to limit mistakes to push Greenwood in an opening round match. </p> <p><strong>16. Breathitt County (26-9):</strong> After dropping four of its first 10 matches in the current campaign, Breathitt County bounced back to return to the top of the 14th Region. But the Lady Cats must face frontrunner Assumption in the opening round of the State Tournament. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>