Friday, October 27, 2000
4 N.Ky. teams in state volleyball tournament
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Four Northern Kentucky teams — Notre Dame, Campbell County, Boone County and Newport Central Catholic — are in the 16-team state volleyball tournament at Ryle High and Gray Middle School this weekend.
Their goal: knock off five-time defending state champion Louisville Assumption, the No.1 team in the Vball.com national rankings.
Notre Dame senior setter Kenna Milner has been thinking about facing the Rockets.
“It's in everybody's mind,”
Milner said. “It's the center of (our) motivation.”
NewCath coach Jenny Mertle said playing year round gives Assumption an advantage.
“We're taking kids from six different feeder schools,” Mertle said. “Assumption, they know each other like sisters.”
Notre Dame is ranked 21st in Vball.com. And with eight seniors, the Pandas have their most experienced group since the 1994 team won the title.
“I definitely think we're looked at as being one of the favorites,” Notre Dame coach Kim Gunning said. “I definitely have to think it is our eight seniors we have and the depth we bring.”
Notre Dame (26-4) is in the tournament for the 20th straight time. The Pandas are also happy for the opportunity to forget about last year's first round loss to Louisville Presentation.
Milner and senior Michelle Davis have led the team. Milner has served 496 assists (an average of just under seven per game), and Davis has 311 kills and an average of 4.4 per game.
“I read the opposing hitters better,” Davis said. “Blocking, I'm still working on. It comes and goes.”
Campbell County brings a 32-4 record into tonight's first round game against Louisville Sacred Heart. Seniors Jennifer Kennedy and Erin Ling are tops in kills with 266 and 217, respectively, and senior Leah Ballinger has 611 assists.
“They work well on the court together,” coach Dena Gosney said.
Boone County (26-11) has been to the tournament every year since 1992. But the Lady Rebels spent most of the season getting used to a new setter, junior Chrissy Isaac.
Coach Tracy Schaefer said her team wasn't completely comfortable until it won the Pumpkin Smash tournament three weeks ago.
“Chrissy had to get used to running the floor and calling plays,” Schaefer said. “... We won the tournament, and it gave the girls some confidence.”
NewCath (22-12), which takes on South Oldham, has followed a trend, but not one Mertle likes. For the third straight year, at least one starter has missed the season with a knee injury.
This year, junior outside hitter Amanda Roderick had knee surgery and junior hitter Kelly Koeninger was out half the season with an ankle sprain. The Thoroughbreds at least have senior outside hitter Kim Wetterstroem, who racked up 222 kills.
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4 N.Ky. teams in state volleyball tournament
