Four Region Frontrunners to Watch

Two weeks into the 2020 high school volleyball season, region frontrunners have emerged throughout Kentucky. Here are four region frontrunners to watch. Assumption (Region 7): The reigning state champion, Assumption entered the 2020 high school volleyball season ranked first in the coaches state poll. Assumption dropped its season opener to familiar foe Mercy Academy. However, the Rockets have reeled off six straight wins. Assumption is 6-1 through the first two weeks of the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Rockets won the 2020 LVIT title on Saturday, Sept. 12, shutting out Mercy Academy 2-0 (25-18, 25-18). Sydney Helmers Sydney Helmers OH Assumption | 2023 State KY (87 kills, 5 blocks, 11 digs), Jenny Wessling Jenny Wessling DS/L Assumption | 2021 State KY (97 digs, 13 assists, 6 service aces), Alyssa Eaton Alyssa Eaton S Assumption | 2021 State KY (110 assists, 21 digs), Parker Nall (101 assists, 8 digs), Madilyn O’Toole Madilyn O’Toole DS/L Assumption | 2021 State KY (66 digs, 4 service aces) and Caroline Cermack Caroline Cermack OH Assumption | 2021 State KY (52 kills, 7 blocks, 15 digs, 6 service aces) are among the early leaders for the Rockets. Assumption has defeated Region 11 leader Henry Clay twice and both Greenwood and St. Henry once thus far in the 2020 high school volleyball season. Mercy Academy (Region 6): A perennial state title contender, Mercy Academy remains on top in Region 6. The Jaguars edged Assumption 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 25-27, 25-23, 18-16) in a season opener. Mercy Academy defeated Assumption for the first time since 2014. Defending Region 6 champion Mercy Academy is off to a 6-2 start in the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Jaguars have dropped matches to Assumption and Sacred Heart. Determined Sacred Heart outlasted the visiting Jaguars 3-2 (22-25, 15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-10) in a match on Friday, Sept. 18. Defensive standout Eleanor Beavin Eleanor Beavin DS/L Mercy | 2021 State KY continues to lead Mercy Academy. Along with Beavin, Fallan Lanham Fallan Lanham OH Mercy | 2021 State KY , Allison Holloway, Chloe Newton, Kayla Mantell and Ella Teeley are excelling for the Jaguars.  North Oldham (Region 8): Defending Region 8 champion North Oldham opened its 2020 season on September 14. The Mustangs notched back-to-back wins over Ballard and South Oldham before suffering a loss to rival Simon Kenton. Still, North Oldham remains the frontrunner in the 8th Region. Lindsey Adams (76 assists, 32 digs, 8 kills, 2 service aces), Emily Goddin (25 kills, 10 blocks, 5 digs, 2 assists, 2 service aces), Meredith Kovarovic (22 kills, 31 digs, 6 service aces, 2 blocks, 2 assists), Karly McNeil (54 digs, 6 assists, 2 service aces), Jordan Atchison Jordan Atchison OH North Oldham | 2021 State KY (14 kills, 21 digs, 6 service aces, 2 assists) and Erika Beisner (17 kills, 4 blocks, 3 digs, 1 assist) are the leaders for North Oldham through the 2020 season’s first three matches. Notre Dame (Region 9): Current Region 9 frontrunner Notre Dame has won five of its first seven matches in the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Pandas have notched wins over familiar in-state foes Cooper, Beechwood, Campbell County and St. Henry. Notre Dame dropped a match to in-state opponent Sacred Heart during the first week of the regular season. A balanced attack for Notre Dame is featuring various key contributors, including Abby Powers Abby Powers MB Notre Dame | 2021 State KY , Sydney Nolan Sydney Nolan MB Notre Dame | 2023 State KY , Sydney Schroder, Emily Wichmann Emily Wichmann DS/L Notre Dame | 2021 State KY , Emma Grace Emma Grace OH Notre Dame | 2021 State KY , Anna Long Anna Long OH Notre Dame | 2021 State KY and Emily Bentley.