The kings of 6th Region boys volleyball still wear orange and black.
In just the second season of Kentucky High School Athletic Association-sanctioned boys volleyball, Ryle once again stood alone at the top of the region, defending their crown with a 3-0 sweep of Oldham County (25-16, 25-17, 25-19) Saturday afternoon at The Joe at Simon Kenton High School.
A year after winning the program’s first-ever regional title, the Raiders entered the season with a target on their backs and a standard that didn’t change, even with a new voice leading from the sideline.
For first-year head coach Heather Kidd, who served as an assistant under Meredith Heater during last year’s championship run, the expectation was already set before the first serve.
“We had a lot of seniors graduate, but we only lost one starter, so it wasn’t just what I thought…it was an expectation,” Kidd said. “We had a conversation with the boys at the beginning of the year, and that was what they put on their board of goals: region champions.”
Even with the pressure of a repeat run and a familiar opponent waiting in Oldham County, the same team Ryle beat in last year’s final, the approach never wavered.
“Once you win it, everybody’s out to get you,” Kidd said. “I told our boys they were going to need to come ready to play, and we did.”
Ryle set the tone early and never let it go. The Raiders never trailed in the opening set, pulling away with a 25-16 win behind steady serving and controlled pressure at the net.
The second set turned into more of a battle, with neither side able to create separation early. Tied late, Ryle responded with an 8-2 run to break things open and take full control at 25-17.
“One goal we always have is when we’re back to serving, we have to get runs,” Kidd said. “The goal is when you’re back there, you get three serves, because if we get runs of two and three, you slowly increase that spread of points.”
In the third, Oldham County again struck first, but Ryle answered quickly and gradually wore the Colonels down, using another late surge, fueled by energy from the bench and student section, to close out the sweep 25-19.
“Feels awesome,” all-tournament selection sophomore Drew Stropko said. “Everybody in the stands, it’s like playing in a basketball game, everybody getting hyped and the student sections are going crazy. It’s an overall great environment to be in.”
Stropko led Ryle with 12 kills, while Ryota Kondo and Eddie Rieffer also earned all-tournament team honors.
Leading the way was Kidd’s son, junior Max Kidd, who delivered a complete performance with five kills, an ace, three digs and two blocks en route to tournament MVP honors.
“I’ve been coached by my mom practically my entire life for volleyball,” Max Kidd said. “She’s always been there, and she has been a very big impact on how I play volleyball, how well, and my mindset towards volleyball.”
Now, the focus shifts to the state tournament, where Ryle will host a first-round matchup Monday at 7 p.m. against the 8th Region runner-up between Pikeville and Powell County. Oldham County will travel to face the winner of that matchup.
Also, just like last season, the road doesn’t get easier from here. Louisville powerhouses St. Xavier High School and Trinity High School again loom, both ranked ahead of Ryle and one already part of the Raiders’ postseason history.
Of Ryle’s three losses this season, two have come against those programs, including a meeting with Trinity that ended last year’s state run.
“Our biggest target is St. X,” Max Kidd said. “That’s one of the biggest teams, and I think everybody’s mindset in the state is to beat them. We have to show that we can go against them and they can’t push us around, because we’ve improved a lot.”
The quarterfinals and remainder of the state tournament will be held May 15–16 at George Rogers Clark High School.
2026 6th Region All-Tournament Team
Left to right: Thomas Getsy (Calvary Christian), Shawn Sinkhorn (Walton-Verona), Nehemiah Kaai (Simon Kenton), Henry Alo (Simon Kenton), Brooks Kightlinger (Oldham County), Derek Dees (Oldham County), Wyatt Bourke (Oldham County), Drew Stropko (Ryle), Eddie Rieffer (Ryle), Ryota Kondo (Ryle) and Max Kidd (MVP, Ryle).
Not pictured: Gage Miller (Collins), Jett Hanks (Scott), Eric Lipps (Boone County), Carl Riley (Shelby County), Michael Phipps (North Oldham) and Tristan Clifton (Walton-Verona).
MORE PHOTOS: Provided by Charles Bolton
