When it comes to Notre Dame Academy athletics, few programs put the NDA in Pandas better than volleyball. The school has won more than 30 state team championships, and 10 of them belong to the volleyball team.
“Volleyball has had a lot of success,” Notre Dame co‑coach Hannah Colvin said. “There is a lot of pride in the team.”
That pride is backed by talent. Senior Teagan Kondik returns as a Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association all-state honorable mention. She was second on the Pandas with 310 kills and fourth with 30 blocks last season. The 6-foot-1 outside hitter has verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati. Dara Jackson led the Pandas in digs as a sophomore. Ellie Osterkamp was second in assists as a junior, and Makayla Roose ranked second in blocks as a sophomore.
Notre Dame went 32‑8 last season, including 14‑0 in the region and 5‑0 while winning the 35th District. The Pandas have won 56 straight regional matches, a streak dating back to the 2021 9th Region tournament final against St. Henry. They claimed their fourth consecutive regional title last fall, 39th overall, and reached the state championship match, falling to Louisville Assumption in five sets. The final frame ended 17‑15 in a nail‑biter.
Assumption enters 2026 as the unanimous No. 1 in the KVCA preseason poll, followed by Louisville Mercy at No. 2 and Notre Dame at No. 3.
The KHSAA girls volleyball season starts today.
Other defending district champions in the 9th Region include Ryle (33rd), St. Henry (34th) and Highlands (36th). Ryle and St. Henry both reached last year’s regional semifinals. St. Henry opens at No. 13 in the KVCA poll, led by junior Kenadi Sieg, a KVCA second‑team pick last season. Ryle is No. 18.
District runners‑up include Conner (33rd), Dixie Heights (34th), Beechwood (35th) and Newport Central Catholic (36th). Conner is No. 17 in the KVCA rankings, anchored by junior Charlotte Patton, a returning first‑team all‑state selection.
Beechwood returns as a 9th Region semifinalist under reigning regional coach of the year Matt Long. The Tigers are defending champions of both the 9th Region All “A” Classic and the All “A” state tournament. They open tied for 25th in the KVCA state poll. Junior Isabel O’Brien earned second‑team all‑state honors last season, and classmate Skylr Estep was an honorable mention.
The KVCA 9th Region preseason top five: No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Beechwood and St. Henry (tie), No. 4 Ryle and No. 5 Conner.
In the 10th Region, Scott seeks a third straight title after falling in the first round of last year’s state tournament. The Eagles, led by reigning region coach of the year Andrea Sullivan—who surpassed 500 career wins last season—finished 29‑12 with perfect marks in the region (13‑0) and the 37th District (5‑0). Their top returners are juniors and sophomores. They include junior Emory Sullivan, last year’s digs leader, and classmate Jacinda Campbell, second in blocks.
Local teams have owned the 10th Region crown for four straight years. Bishop Brossart won in 2022, Campbell County in 2023, and Scott the past two seasons. Brossart junior Callie Ritter was a KVCA second‑team pick last year. Both Brossart and Campbell were shut out of last year’s regional tournament due to Calvary Christian’s historic surge.
Calvary reached the district finals and qualified for the regional for the first time in more than 20 years under veteran coach Becky Stelzer. The Cougars finished 24‑8. They beat Nicholas County in the regional first round before falling to George Rogers Clark in the semifinals. Several statistical leaders were underclassmen, including assists and aces leader Natalia McGlynn and digs leader Madison Stelzer. Expect another rugged 37th District race with Brossart and Campbell pushing to return to regional contention.
The KVCA 10th Region preseason top five: No. 1 Bishop Brossart, No. 2 George Rogers Clark, No. 3 Scott, No. 4 Calvary Christian and No. 5 Montgomery County.
Simon Kenton leads local teams in the 8th Region. The Pioneers aim for a ninth straight 32nd District title after finishing 20‑14 and reaching the regional semifinals. Several underclassmen powered last year’s run, including assist leader Faith Lockhart, blocks leader Taylor Jones and digs/aces leader Allie Ross.
The KVCA 8th Region preseason top five: No. 1 North Oldham, No. 2 Eminence, No. 3 Oldham County, No. 4 Simon Kenton and No. 5 Woodford County.
