Key Factors in Region 9 for 2022
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Region 9 volleyball has traditionally boasted some of the best Kentucky talent on both individual and team levels. The 2022 season is no different given the depth of talent in the northern part of the state. St. Henry claimed the…
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Continue ReadingRegion 9 volleyball has traditionally boasted some of the best Kentucky talent on both individual and team levels. The 2022 season is no different given the depth of talent in the northern part of the state. St. Henry claimed the 2021 state championship behind the leadership and play of three Division I prospects that have since moved on to their new teams at the college level. Here is a look at the Crusaders and other teams and key athletes from the region as there is good potential for another title to be earned from this area.
St. Henry
Can this team repeat? They definitely have some big shoes to fill but also return a group of athletes that should compete very well. Outside hitter Alivia Skidmore Alivia Skidmore OH St. Henry | 2024 State #64 Nation KY , the high flying bomber, should see a lot of opportunity to score. She has all the tools to contribute six rotations and it will be fun to see how she handles the increased work load. The ball control is led by one of the best in the game in Elizabeth Tabeling Elizabeth Tabeling 5'7" | DS/L St. Henry | 2024 State #127 Nation KY . She is dynamic with good range and quickness, which will frustrate teams all season long. Josie Schroder Josie Schroder MB St. Henry | 2023 State KY is another key offensive piece and improved her game throughout the club season. Look for her to help balance Skidmore’s attempts. The setting role may be by committee with Audrey Leonhard handling some rotations while transfer addition Macy Lentz Macy Lentz 5'10" | S St. Henry | 2024 State KY should see time setting as well as swinging in the front row as she is very capable of hitting a heavy ball. There is a much different look to this team but they have a very scrappy quality to their competitiveness.
Notre Dame Academy
NDA is a juggernaut from this area and enters the season with question marks as well has top returning talent. One of the biggest questions is where UNC commit Sydney Nolan Sydney Nolan 6'2" | MB Notre Dame | 2023 State #60 Nation KY (*pictured) will play. She shifted to the left side pin and found a lot of success. However, she has the ability to dominate from the middle as she has done for multiple years. Peyton Mast Peyton Mast RS Notre Dame | 2023 State KY on the right side is a significant threat for opponents and also contributed well on both sides of the ball during club. Offensively, this group needs a third arm and will likely see production from sophomore Ava Tilden Ava Tilden 6'1" | OH Notre Dame Academy | 2025 State #141 Nation KY . She elevates well and can bring good pace but needs to find some consistency. As the ball control and defense are in good hands with the likes of standouts Kamden Schrand Kamden Schrand DS/L Notre Dame | 2023 State KY , Kayla Hostetler Kayla Hostetler DS/L Notre Dame | 2023 State KY , Ava Jacobs, and Julia Grace Julia Grace 5'6" | DS/L Notre Dame Academy | 2025 State KY , it is the setting and middle play that are of big interest regarding who fills those roles. Sophomore Rylie McCloskey has a big arm and is athletic, but also can distribute the ball and could be a likely option to run the offense. This team has a lot of experience in high intensity situations among their veterans and could be on the side of a lot of success late in the postseason.
Holy Cross
With the elite skills of an attacker like Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | MB Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State #11 Nation KY , one of the nation’s most coveted junior prospects, you can bet rhia team will have a good chance to be successful. Hunt has a big arm, elevates extremely well, and can put a ton of pressure on opponents defensively. Limited to three rotations during the club season along with serving opportunity, Hunt will be utilized all over the court and should get a fair amount of opportunity to swing from the back row as well. Sister Maya Hunt Maya Hunt S Holy Cross (Covington) | 2023 State KY has all the tools to deliver the tempo and location through the full range of the court, which bodes well for all attackers. Finding additional point scoring will be a challenge early in the season but this group got a nice addition in Rylee Hood. Although just 5’7, Hood as great athleticism and grew her skills and experience as an offensive threat over the course of the club season. If some of the younger athletes can develop at a good rate they could make a good move late in the season.
Ryle
Replacing one of the biggest point scorers from a season ago will be this squad’s biggest challenges. Junior Kiana Dinn is a great athlete with versatile skills and will be a primary threat all season. Abby Lester Abby Lester 5'10" | RS Ryle | 2024 State KY , Rebecca Kramer, and Merisa Workman will each get a good share of opportunities to swing while junior libero Alexis Woolf will be relied upon to lead the ball control and defense.
Cooper
Two key pieces for the Jaguars this season will be in the arms of seniors Holland Morris Holland Morris 6'0" | MB Cooper | 2023 State KY at the pins and Rylie Depue in the middle. Both are capable of terminating at a good rate. Audrey Schilling Audrey Schilling OH Cooper | 2025 State KY should make a bigger impact this season as well on the left side and contributes depth to their offense. In the back row, libero Chloe Fortner Chloe Fortner 5'5" | DS/L Cooper | 2023 State KY has continued to grow her game in the ways of range and efficiency in her first touch work, adding to the quickness and consistently good effort she already provides in pursuit of the ball. This group as potential to apply good pressure on their opponents.
Conner
Junior middle Lilly Hamburg Lilly Hamburg 6'0" | MB Conner | 2024 State KY had a great club season and saw increases in her offensive production and quality of defense at the net that will undoubtedly help her team compete well over the next few months. Her effort and energy are infectious and should provide a big spark in this competitive region. Another middle factor is Peyton Walker Peyton Walker 6'0" | MB Conner | 2024 State KY who brings good athleticism in her elevation and lateral blocking coverage. She also increased the efficiency of her arm with some impressive play during the club season. Carly Nehus should be a key contributor at the pins. The defense that they have between the pins at the net will be a big factor for this team.