Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club 15s Teams Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is as bright as ever in the area thanks to another stellar loaded freshman class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-1 Tsunami</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three freshman played a big role in leading the St. Henry Crusaders to the All "A" State Championship and another spot in the 9th Region title game and all three play on this team. [player_tooltip player_id='610406' first='Kenadi' last='Sieg'] starts things off with precision passes and [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Madelyn' last='Keipert'] will set hitters up if not taking shots from the outside herself. The 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id='709517' first='Violet' last='Main'] will take swings from both the middle and outside for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other setter is Guardian Angels (Ohio) Middle School eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='582200' first='Lucy' last='Waleskowski'], whose older sister Lola attends St. Ursula. The six-footer will also take swings from the outside. Notre Dame's [player_tooltip player_id='741510' first='Dara' last='Jackson'] and St. Ursula's [player_tooltip player_id='582234' first='Isabelle' last='Haas'] will play defensive specialist or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands freshman [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser'] gives the team a presence at middle and opposite hitter. Two more Notre Dame freshmen in the 6-2 [player_tooltip player_id='727143' first='Makayla' last='Roose'] and 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='741504' first='Emma' last='Redlinger'] round out the roster giving the team size at middle hitter and outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Renae Taylor is the head coach. The team is 14-4 on the season placing third out of 32 teams in the 15 Open Division in the Nike Classic in Columbus. The team next plays in the Triple Crown National Invitational Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-2 Tide</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross freshman [player_tooltip player_id='612183' first='Avery' last='Sturgeon'] made an impact on varsity while Ryle freshman [player_tooltip player_id='712121' first='Ashley' last='Towner'] stepped in for injured players for the Raiders in the postseason. Sturgeon will play the libero/defensive specialist spot on this team while Towner will hit from the opposite or middle spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four players could set in Beechwood freshman Carlie Ramey, Summit Country Day freshman Mallory Kaeppner, Notre Dame freshman [player_tooltip player_id='727131' first='Kaia' last='Tilden'] or St. Ursula freshman [player_tooltip player_id='727172' first='Megan' last='Scheib']. Scheib and Tilden could also hit from the outside and Kaeppner from the opposite side. Seton freshman [player_tooltip player_id='746292' first='Ellie' last='Huseman'] is the other listed libero/defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three hitters round out the roster. They are St. Henry freshman Stella Flick at outside or middle hitter, Mount Notre Dame freshman Moira Kapp at middle/opposite hitter and St. Henry freshman [player_tooltip player_id='727147' first='Molly' last='Blackburn'] at outside or opposite hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emme Madden is the team's head coach. The team is 9-9 on the season so far. The next tournament is the President's Day Classic in St. Louis from Feb. 15 through 17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-3 Typhoon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport Central Catholic has two freshmen teammates on this squad in libero/opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='776882' first='Kolbey' last='Kohrs'] and middle/opposite hitter Madelyn Sandfoss. Sandfoss saw some varsity action this past fall for the Thoroughbreds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame has four freshmen on this team. They are opposite/outside hitter Ashtyn Dirks, setter/opposite hitter Amelia Dreier, defensive specialist/outside hitter Leah Myers and setter/opposite hitter [player_tooltip player_id='776880' first='Noelle' last='Earls']. Beechwood freshman Madison Meier will play outside hitter or defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three hitters round out the roster. Two will play at outside or opposite hitter in Ryle freshman Mckenna Broz and Anderson freshman Leah Martin. Oak Hills freshman Sophie Tirado is the team's tallest player standing just above 6-0 and will play middle or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenny Blackburn is the team's head coach. The team's next tournament is also the President's Day Classic in St. Louis from Feb. 15 through 17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15-4 Thunder</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Brossart freshman [player_tooltip player_id='587827' first='Grace' last='Frommeyer'] made a huge impact starting on varsity this past fall and hopes to keep the ball rolling during club season. Holy Cross freshman Jordyn Timmerding will also try to make sound first touches at the libero and defensive specialist spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle freshman Abigail Stropko and St. Ursula freshman Gabriela Earley could also play defensive specialist if not hit from the outside. St. Henry freshman Caroline Brannen will hit from the middle or outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four players could step in at setter. Lawrenceburg freshman Zoe Roudebush and Holy Cross freshman Kensington Adams could also play opposite hitter with Beechwood freshman Hailey Flaherty and Dixie freshman Sandra Oliver will also take swings from the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Azia Ketron is this team's head coach. The team is 9-2 on the season taking gold runner-up honors out of 32 teams in the Club Red Division in the Central Zone Invitational. The team next plays in the President's Day Cup in Columbus on Feb. 15 and 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590644"],"_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-67983327746f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steinhauser gave the Bluebirds a big presence at the net smacking from balls from various angles and hopes to continue to find ways to improve on that during club season. Steinhauser also learned how to use her size to disrupt balls at the net. Steinhauser finished the season with 157 kills and 34 assisted blocks, helping Highlands go 29-10, win an eighth straight 36th District championship and make it to the 9th Region semifinals for the first time since 2019.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":746163,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-679833277478e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redlinger has a diverse skill set the Tsunami staff hopes to take advantage of. She can hit it hard one play, then put a soft one in the middle on the next play. Redlinger can power balls through and off blockers. Redlinger also has good timing on her blocks. She'll be even more difficult to handle once she gets the varsity speeds down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612108"],"_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-67983327747f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keipert is trying to turn into a sound all-around player for the Crusaders and the club team. Keipert stepped a big varsity role and helped set up the deep Crusaders with a variety of serves. Keipert is trying to improve her defense specifically in the offseason. Keipert does a great job anticipating then tracking down balls. Hard hit balls carom off her arms to setters for sound passes when she squares her arms up with them. Keipert had 491 assists and 181 digs, helping the Crusaders go 33-6 with another All "A" State championship, a 34th District crown and 9th Region runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612183"],"_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-679839a8562bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sturgeon did a great job stepping into the varsity role and taking over the libero role this past season and she hopes to build on that during club season. Sturgeon moves to balls well constantly squaring her arms up to balls to keep plays alive. Sturgeon constantly makes things happen out of system and is turning into a sound server for the Indians. Sturgeon had 369 digs and 56 aces for Holy Cross this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":746184,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='776882' first='Kolbey' last='Kohrs']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newport Central Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67983ddcd0313"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kohrs is showing she may be ready to make an impact at higher levels for the Thoroughbreds next season. She's showing great instincts on the court leaning a number of directions to dig up balls and keep plays alive. Kohrs has great form on her first touches and will continue to grow throughout club season.</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 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, 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. 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