10th Region, 37th District
Campbell County Camels
Jessica Ginter takes over the program wanting to bring stability and to push the Camels back to state. Ginter is the team’s third head coach in three years.
The Camels saw Rylee McKinney and Ashley Messmer graduate from last year’s team that finished 16-16 overall. McKinney led Campbell County with 246 kills, 314 digs and 56 aces and made all-region first team last year.
Campbell County returns a group of experienced players. Juniors Lexi Scharold and Emma Manser give the Camels height as middle blockers for junior setter and right side hitter Ava Crowl, who had 678 assists last year. Manser had 232 kills and 60 total blocks with 43 solo.
Campbell County has two seniors in outside/right side hitter Bailey Beiting and defensive specialist Ashlyn Niemeier. Ginter also said she’s been impressed with the defenders in the back row such as junior libero Ella Thorwarth. Thorwarth could also play outside hitter. Junior Penelope Stacy gives Campbell County another hitting option. Niemeier had 55 aces last year.
“We all agreed we have very big goals for this year,” Ginter said. “We have a lot of good stuff to look forward to, a lot of hard work ahead of us. But the girls are very excited for the season. We’re ready to get going.”
Ginter said she’s also excited about some younger players such as sophomore Lola Haun. Sophomore Lucy Trapp saw a good bit of varsity action last year and is listed as a setter and outside hitter. Sophomore A Lon McIntyre returns as a defensive specialist.
Freshmen Hope Hamilton and Faith Whitford could also contribute. Hamilton saw action in 18 games last year. She’s listed as a setter and opposite hitter.
“They have older girls above them that are going to teach them great things,” Ginter said. “It’s almost like the pressure cooker. You put it in there. It takes some time. But it’ll turn out great in the end. I see that for these younger girls.”
Campbell County’s first game is against Beechwood on Aug. 16. Game time is 7 p.m. in Alexandria.
Scott Eagles
Scott finished 15-23 last year though the Eagles made it back to the 10th Region semifinals, losing to Montgomery County.
Head Coach Andrea Sullivan enters her 19th season guiding the program at Scott and welcomes back a number of players that made up the rotation last year: junior all-around player Brooke Balsley, freshman outside hitter Milyn Minor, sophomore defensive specialist Elise Manhardt, senior setter Audrey Griffin, senior middle blocker Makaylah Mitchell and defensive specialist Laine Morman. Griffin made the all-region first team last year and Morman made the second team.
Sullivan said Minor could end up starting five years. Minor had 162 kills and 87 aces last year. Griffin led Scott with 669 assists and 129 aces last year.
Sullivan said she likes what she’s seen from the group. The Eagles have four seniors total. Senior utility player Lexi Rogers transferred in this year and just received clearance to play from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
“It’s probably one of the strongest leadership groups I’ve had in a long time,” Sullivan said. “Some years, you have one or two seniors and I have four. They’re good people. Tryouts went really well this week.”
Scott lists three more players hoping to make an impact this year: sophomores Olivia Burgan at defensive specialist and Brooklyn Helm at opposite hitter, outside hitter or middle blocker. Freshman Morgan Justice could make an impact at opposite hitter, middle blocker or setter.
Scott has won five region crowns in the current 10th Region format, including four straight from 2014 through 2017.
Scott opens the season Aug. 15 against visiting Bracken County. Game time is 7 p.m.
Bishop Brossart Lady ‘Stangs
Bree Velasquez enters her fifth year guiding the Lady ‘Stangs.
Bishop Brossart is coming off a 15-15 season. She’s watched it grow from 17 players her first year in 2018 up to more than 45 at tryouts. The Lady ‘Stangs have even added a freshman team during that time.
Bishop Brossart has won the All A 10th Region the last three years.
The Lady ‘Stangs graduated six seniors from last year’s team but four key players return in senior setter Savannah Seiter, junior left side hitter Maddie Kremer and sophomores Kate Neltner at outside hitter and middle blocker Corrine Blackburn. Blackburn led Bishop Brossart with 182 kills and 57 blocks including 48 solo last year. Seiter had 395 assists. Kremer made the second team all-region last year.
“We’re excited with where the program has been going,” Velasquez said. “We’ve gotten a lot of love for it. We’re seeing more growth with volleyball.”
Reaching the 10th Region Tournament has not been easy for the Lady ‘Stangs. They did it in Velasquez’s first season in 2018 and in 2015 both as 37th District Tournament runners-up. The 2015 team drove to the 10th Region title game before losing once again to Scott.
“They’re definitely tough competitors and we see them a lot throughout the season, which is good. I think a lot of it too is a mental thing for our girls,” Velasquez said. “They have this idea that those bigger schools are automatically always going to be better. A lot of times they do have some great, skilled athletes. But I think we’re getting there.”
Bishop Brossart opens the season Aug. 16 against Walton-Verona in Alexandria. Game time is 7 p.m.
8th Region, 32nd District
Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers
Amy Marx enters her seventh season coaching the Lady Pioneers. They’ve gone from 14-22 and district runner-up her first year in 2016 to consistently winning 20-plus games the last four years.
Simon Kenton graduated five seniors from last year’s team but the returning players have motivation knowing the Lady Pioneers were points away from going to state. Simon Kenton last made it there in 1999 when the Lady Pioneers drove all the way to the state semifinals.
“The big thing is every player on varsity is playing club volleyball in one way or another,” Marx said. “That shows how much the program has grown. We play a lot of local teams and teams across the state. Travel is not an issue after a while.”
Simon Kenton returns two starters in sophomore Keira Hans and junior Sophie Spanier. Marx said they are solid all-around players. Hans led the Lady Pioneers with 35 blocks including 12 solo and 52 aces.
The Lady Pioneers return three others with varsity experience: junior Alisha Hawkins at middle blocker and right side hitter, sophomore Tori Chasteen at defensive specialist, and utility player and freshman Jenna Kitchens at outside hitter and middle blocker.
Five players are new to varsity. Senior Kara Weisman is looking to contribute as a defensive specialist or back row player. Juniors Ava Bucher and Casey Martis are looking to contribute as defensive specialists. Junior Sadie Rehkamp is a strong candidate to take over the setter role and freshman Olivia Royer can play a number of positions.
The first game on the schedule for Simon Kenton is Aug. 16 at Cooper. Game time is 7 p.m.