Prep Sports Report: Big crowd expected for volleyball match between two of the state’s best teams

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

The annual fundraising match between the St. Henry and Notre Dame volleyball teams always draws a large crowd, and the stories leading up to this year’s matchup could draw even more fans.

The “Playing for a Purpose” varsity game will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Boone County High School, with proceeds going to local groups that fund breast cancer research, support and awareness. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. available online.

In the latest poll of Kentucky high school volleyball coaches, Notre Dame (9-1) remained at No. 3, while St. Henry (12-1) moved up five spots to No. 4. But that’s not the only reason their upcoming games are so enticing.

On Tuesday, Notre Dame was ranked No. 24 in the MaxPreps national high school volleyball rankings. The Pandas made that list after finishing third out of 84 teams with a 5-1 record at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Florida.

On Wednesday, St. Henry won the Region 9 All “A” Classic tournament, defeating Newport Central Catholic 25-22, 25-21 in the championship game.

Notre Dame has four seniors and two juniors who played on last year’s state runner-up team and the 2022 state championship team. Four of those players — Ava Tilden, Julia Grace, Riley McCloskey and Audrey Dyas — previously signed with NCAA Division I teams.

St. Henry has a much younger team that includes three freshman starters. One of the senior veterans is middle blocker Corrine Blackburn, who was named the most valuable player on the Region 9 All “A” Classic tournament team.

The Crusaders’ most versatile player is junior Madi Demler, who is a front-row outside hitter and back-row passer. After the team’s first 11 games, she had team-high totals of 69 kills and 120 assists.

St. Henry golf team among top contenders
All “A'” Classic boys state tournament

The St. Henry boys golf team returns to the All “A” Classic state tournament on Friday with the same squad that finished second by one stroke in last year’s small-school event.

The Crusaders are one of 16 regional champion teams in the 18-hole tournament to be played at Gibson Bay Golf Course in Richmond. The field also includes teams from Walton-Verona and Brossart.

Last year, Kentucky Country Day won the boys team title with a 311 total, one stroke better than St. Henry’s 312. The Crusaders’ five returning golfers are seniors Ben and Will Carter and Will Hammond, junior Jake Montgomery and freshman Parker Isaacs.

In the latest Kentucky high school golf rankings, St. Henry is ranked No. 6, and none of the other All “A” Classic state tournament qualifiers are in the top 15. The highest-ranked individuals in the field are Pikeville senior Cam Roberts and Will Carter, who also plays for the St. Henry boys soccer team, which qualified for the All “A” Classic state tournament in that sport.

The All “A” Classic girls state golf tournament will be played Saturday at Gibson Bay Golf Course in Richmond, which also features St. Henry and Brossart, who finished fourth and sixth in last year’s 10-team tournament.

Conner girls soccer team remains undefeated
without conceding a goal in the first 10 matches

The Conner girls soccer team continued its undefeated and goalless streak this season with a 1-0 win over Beechwood in Fort Mitchell on Wednesday.

Statistically, the Cougars (9-0-1) are the only team in the state that has not conceded a goal. khsaa.org websiteGoalkeeper Ally Welch has kept a clean sheet in nine matches, while teammate Cara Fay has kept a clean sheet in one match.

In the win over Beechwood (7-1-1), Welch made four saves to bring her season total to 32. Conner’s goal was scored by senior Ava Schier on an assist from freshman Ella Folke. Nine players scored one or more goals during their impressive starts.

Conner has reached double-digit wins in each of the last three seasons under head coach Michael Hughes. The Cougars can do it again when they earn their 10th straight home win Saturday against Newport Central Catholic (2-6-1).