Yankees vs. Dodgers. Celtics vs. Lakers. Notre Dame vs. St. Henry volleyball.
Some rivalries are bigger than the moment — they’re traditions. In northern Kentucky volleyball, few matchups carry more weight than when the Pandas and Crusaders meet for another 9th Region championship.
“We knew St. Henry was going to be a battle,” Notre Dame co-head coach Hannah Colvin said. “It’s a rivalry between us and them, so we knew they were going to come out strong. We told our girls to give it everything they had and play with as much heart as possible because we knew both teams were fighting for their season.”
The two met for the third straight year and have now played in around 70 percent of all region championships since 2003, with Notre Dame winning 16 and St. Henry seven. To capture their fourth straight and 16th title in that span, the Pandas had to dig deep, outlasting St. Henry 3-2 (27-25, 25-23, 20-25, 23-25, 15-6) on Wednesday night at Ryle High School in Union.
Game sevens. Overtimes. How about five sets?
Though the Pandas have now won 56 straight matches against 9th Region opponents, St. Henry was the first region team to take a set off Notre Dame since Sept. 22, 2023. The last time a 9th Region opponent won at least two sets on the Pandas was Oct. 28, 2021 — also in the region title match against St. Henry.
Down 2-0 and staring at the end of their season, St. Henry wasn’t ready to let go. Notre Dame looked poised to cruise to another trip to the state tournament, but the Crusaders had other plans.
Less than 24 hours removed from a four-set semifinal battle with Beechwood, St. Henry did it again, taking two straight sets and even building its biggest lead of the night, up 24-18 in the fourth.
“We peaked at the postseason,” St. Henry head coach Maureen Kaiser said. “I couldn’t be more proud. We had a tough match the night before and then another one here. We picked up where we left off.”
But Notre Dame had been here before. The Pandas leaned on their championship experience, led by seniors Lizzy Larkins, Grace Portwood and tournament MVP Audrey Dyas — players who have never lost a 9th Region match in their careers. They were guided by co-head coaches Hannah Colvin and Madison Salkowski, former Pandas who won three straight 9th Region titles together as players from 2013-2015.
In front of an electric crowd and packed student sections, momentum shifted in an instant. With experience and composure on their side, the senior core took control before the decisive fifth set, starting in the huddle.
“After the fourth set, when we had lost two straight, it can be hard to come back from that,” Portwood said. “In the huddle, we all came together and went into the fifth saying, ‘We’re not losing. Whatever it takes.’ It took everyone doing their job.”
Neither team was going down easily, with rallies lasting close to 30 seconds multiple times.
“I think those are big momentum points,” Larkins said. “When you win a long rally, it’s such a lift. It helps you take the next point and keep it going.”
Larkins, Portwood, Dyas and sophomore Dara Jackson were each named to the All-Tournament Team.
St. Henry closes its season at 24-16, saying goodbye to seniors Gianna Butler, Madi Demler, Emily Helmers, Caroline Tabeling and Lauren Taylor, two of whom have been varsity regulars since their freshman year. During their careers, the Crusaders posted a 113-39 overall record, went 58-11 in region play, captured four district titles, finished runner-up in the region three times, and won two Class “A” regional and state championships.
Demler, Helmers and sophomore Kenadi Sieg were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Up next for Notre Dame is the winner of the 12th Region, either Trinity Christian or West Jessamine, in the first round of the KHSAA Girls’ Volleyball State Tournament on Nov. 3.
“This year we’ve really focused on taking it game by game,” Dyas said. “We want that trophy, but anything can happen. We’re not going to be satisfied. We’ll play whoever comes out of the 12th Region like it’s our last game and go all out.”
All first-round games will be held at member schools on Nov. 3, the 12th Region champion will be the host. The rest of the tournament will take place at George Rogers Clark High School, with quarterfinals on Nov. 7, semifinals on Nov. 8 and the state championship later that same day.
More photos below, provided by Jenny Quinn:
