According to the most recent athletics participation survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations, volleyball is the second-most popular sport for girls. With more than 470,000 participants at more than 16,000 high schools, volleyball trails only track and field in nationwide interest.
There are 25 girls volleyball teams in northern Kentucky competing in six KHSAA districts in three regions, all with one goal in mind: advance to the state tournament at George Rogers Clark High School in November.
The area features two teams coming off state tournament appearances in 2023, 9th Region champion Notre Dame Academy and 10th Region champ Campbell County.
Five local teams are ranked in the top 25 of the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll, four in the top 15. They include No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 12 Ryle, No. 13 St. Henry, No. 14 Highlands and No. 25 Conner. Notre Dame received five first-place votes, the third most.
The poll’s top three features perennial Louisville powers: No. 1 Assumption, No. 2 Sacred Heart and No. 3 Mercy Academy. They have combined for 32 state championships.
The KVCA 9th Region preseason ranking has Beechwood above Conner. The top five: No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 St. Henry, No. 3 Ryle, No. 4 Beechwood and No. 5 Conner.
“Ninth Region volleyball is always tough,” said veteran St. Henry coach Maureen Kaiser. “But in my opinion, Notre Dame returns a lot of talent and is a top contender. St. Henry has a young fiery squad with only two seniors.”
Over in the 10th Region, three local teams occupy the top three spots in the KVCA preseason poll. They are No. 1 Scott, No. 2 Campbell County and No. 3 Bishop Brossart.
In the 8th Region, Simon Kenton is ranked No. 3 behind top-ranked North Oldham and No. 2 Oldham County.
Here is a look at the area’s top four state contenders.
NOTRE DAME
The Pandas, 33-6 last season, are seeking a third consecutive trip to the state tournament championship game, a second state title in the last three years and their third crown in five years. The Pandas lost in last season’s final to Assumption. They won state in 2022 for their 10th title.
St. Henry won the state championship in 2021, its first in 30 years. Notre Dame won it all in 2020. That’s three of the last four state crowns coming from northern Kentucky. Assumption interrupted a streak of three straight last year.
The Pandas are poised for state supremacy with a senior-laden squad led by a host of NCAA Division I college recruits. Julia Grace and Ava Tilden are verbally committed to Xavier University. Riley McCloskey is a Memphis commit. They are part of a group of seven seniors returning from last season’s 35th District champions.
“I would say we are expecting to rely on the experience of our senior class and younger returning players this season,” said NDA co-coach Leslie Litmer. She shares the position with Jenna Schreiver. “We will continue to strengthen our options on offense and look to our senior-led defensive personnel to steal some points from our opponents, as well.”
Audrey Dyas has committed to Wake Forest. She’s one of four juniors. The Pandas welcome back their top five kill leaders and every girl who had a block last season except for one. Their two primary assist makers are back. All of the digs leaders return.
“That sounds about right,” Litmer said. “While a state title is absolutely a goal, we have set other short-term goals to ensure we remain honest to the process and the journey.”
Player experience should carry them far.
Grace, a defensive specialist, led the team in digs last season with 487 and service aces with 48. She is the returning local Division I player of the year. Tilden led the team with 355 kills. Junior Grace Portwood was next with 303, followed by McCloskey (291) and Dyas (200). Senior Ella Goetz led the team with 84 blocks. Dyas was second with 70 blocks. Senior Lauren Ott led with 710 assists and junior Lizzie Larkins (566) was second.
“Jenna and I are returning in our third year as co-head coaches,” Litmer said. “And we are excited to have the opportunity to build upon where we left off last year.”
ST. HENRY
Defending 34th District champion St. Henry (31-9) lost six seniors. The new seniors for the returning regional runner-up are middle blocker Corrine Blackburn and outside hitter and defensive specialist Elizabeth Casey. Casey was third on the team last season in service aces and fourth in digs.
The Crusaders have nine juniors including hitter/setter Madi Demler, who was third in kills and digs, and blocker Emily Helmers, second in blocks.
“We have a young roster that will get better as the season progresses,” coach Kaiser said. “We have a talented incoming freshman class and I’m excited to see them grow and develop.”
RYLE
The Raiders, a 24-13 finisher last season and a regional semifinalist, return three seniors and five juniors. The seniors are led by last season’s kills leaders Lucy Trapp and Karsyn Griffin, the service ace leader.
The juniors include assist leader Morgan Heater. There are two sophomores including Rachel King, second in blocks last season. The Raiders are defending 33rd District champions.
HIGHLANDS
Highlands (20-16) features four seniors, including blocks leader Lyla Bottom, assists leaders Ella Cox and Sydney Schomaker, second last season in kills.
There are nine juniors including digs leader Hayden Gessner and ace leader Ava Muzumdar. The Bluebirds are defending 36th District champions. They fell in the first round of the regional tournament to Conner, which lost most of its top players to graduation.