This story originally appeared in the Aug. 18 edition of the Weekly LINK Reader. To see these stories first, subscribe here.
It’s a crazy coincidence. An absolute oddity. A 44-year-old oddity, at that. It’s something probably noticed only by oddballs.
Here is a list of head volleyball coaches at Notre Dame Academy who have guided the Pandas to the state championship match: Joan Shadley, Joan Mazzaro, Bob Wood, Jen Woolf, Kim Gunning, Buck McCoart, Molly McDermott, Andrea Lanham, Leslie Litmer and Jenna Leistner.
So, just for review, that’s Joan, Joan, Wood, Woolf, Kim, McCoart, McDermott, Lanham, Litmer, Leistner.
Sometimes there is nothing more poetic than fate, because that is a highly alliterative and therefore highly improbable list of Panda volleyball coaches in almost the same order they showed up at Notre Dame.
“I would’ve never figured that out,” Litmer said. “That’s very interesting.”
Shadley led Notre Dame to the first Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) state volleyball championship in 1979, which is when our story begins. Notre Dame has won 10 state championships, second-most in Kentucky history.
Litmer and Leistner helped lead the Pandas to the 10th volleyball title last year. It was their first season as co-head coaches at Notre Dame. But that’s not where the story ends. As it turns out, there is a lot of in-between stuff, starting with Litmer and Leistner and their names, and the names of the girls around them.
Even as Notre Dame students, Litmer and Leistner appreciated word play and use of alliteration. There was just something fun about the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning or end of closely connected words and names.
Good thing the poetic forces of fate decided to intervene on behalf of the two current coaches. Litmer and Leistner not only fit neatly into that line of alliteratively named volleyball coaches, but they also fit into Pandas volleyball history. Litmer is the former Leslie Schellhaas. She played libero for Notre Dame from 2006-09. Leistner is the former Jenna Schreiver. She played setter for the Pandas from 2005-08.
So, that’s Schellhaas and Schreiver when they were playing together, and Litmer and Leistner now that they are coaching together. Whodathunkit?
But that’s not all. More alliteration abounds at Notre Dame.
Here are the 12 players on roster: Hannah Dannenberg, Audrey Dyas, Ella Goetz, Julia Grace, Grace Portwood, Lacey Hostetler, Lizzy Larkins, Lauren Ott, Ava Erpenbeck, Ava Tilden, Teagan Kondik and Riley McCloskey.
Last year on varsity and JV, the Pandas had a Sara, a Sarah, a Lacey, a Lauren, a Lizzy, a Kamden and a Karly. They added a Natalie, a Nolan, a Jada, a Jacobs and a Jackson. They also amassed a Mast, a McFadden and a McCloskey, not to mention a Riley and a Reese. Additionally, an Abby, two Audreys, three Avas, two Graces and two Hostetlers.
So, what in the world is going on at Notre Dame? How can it be that all these names fit to a T?
Leistner, who recently gave birth to her second child, has no explanation for the name game the Pandas seem to be playing. Although she did name her children Kash and Kason.
“Kind of funny how that worked out,” said Leistner, who handles the Notre Dame offense. “I just think it’s great to see lists of all our players.”
Litmer said they are alliterative lists that fit.
“A fun way to put a spin on our team, and there’s been a lot of funny moments with them,” said Litmer, who oversees the Pandas’ defense. “I feel like it’s very fitting. Our team has a sense of humor. The girls can be a goofy group.”
Goofy, and good.
“We have a lot of varsity experience,” Litmer said. “That will help us be more successful.”
Notre Dame’s huge junior class, including returning kill leader Tilden and assists leader Ott, replace six seniors. Seven of the 12 Pandas are juniors. There’s also McCloskey, who was second in kills. Goetz was second in blocks. Julia Grace was second in digs.
It’s rare when freshmen start at Notre Dame. But there are four Pandas who did, including Tilden, McCloskey and sophomore Dyas, who led the team in blocks. Larkins, another sophomore, was second in assists.
“With blocking, Dyas and Goetz slow down the other team and slow the ball down so we can get in our offense,” Leistner said. “Having been a setter, I’m harder on setters than other positions. Lauren and Lizzy having that experience, they know what to expect from me.”
What Litmer and Leistner are doing obviously works. The Pandas won state on their first try as co-head coaches.
“That would be exciting to win again,” Litmer said. “But there are a lot of steps to it. We want to maintain our position as a top school in the region and overall Northern Kentucky area, beat rival St. Henry, beat the Louisville teams and beat the Ohio teams.”
And it’s their hope every player makes a name for herself at Notre Dame.