By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Natalie Hardig had to assume a bigger role on the Notre Dame volleyball team this season because she had more varsity experience than the rest of the players on the roster. With the junior middle blocker leading the way, the Pandas made it back to the 9th Region championship match by defeating Cooper in the semifinals on Wednesday at Dixie Heights High School.
Hardig provided 14 kills and six blocks in the three-game sweep that lifted Notre Dame’s record to 23-11 going into Thursday’s regional final against St. Henry (24-13).
“She’s one of our best off hitters, so not only is the defensive game built around Natalie, the offense is as well,” said Notre Dame coach Buck McCoart.
Last year, the Pandas won their ninth consecutive 9th Region title and made it to the state semifinals with mostly seniors in the lineup. One of them was Morgan Hentz, one of the top high school players in the nation who signed with Stanford University.
Hardig stepped up to fill the void left by the graduation of those seniors and Notre Dame’s other returning players rallied around her.
“I knew I had to take on more responsibility and the seniors from last year really prepared me for that,” Hardig said. “And I just think that all of my teammates, I couldn’t have done it without them, because I really couldn’t see myself as a leader on this team and they really helped me do that.”
The Pandas were so strong at the net in the regional semifinal match that they finished with 23 blocks and many of them resulted in points. In the second game, blocks by senior Sarah Draud and sophomore Shannon Gormally sparked a 4-0 run that ended the game.
But it was Hardig’s presence at the net that seemed to disrupt Cooper’s attack the most. That’s something she has done in matches all season and hopes to do again in the regional final against St. Henry.
“She’s one of best blockers I’ve ever coached,” McCoart said. “We lined her up against their best hitter (Wednesday) and it showed.”
“I knew I would have to play good for us to do well,” Hardig said. “I knew I would have to lead the team in shutting done (Cooper’s) offense and bringing up ours.”
Cooper’s first-year quarterback having record-setting season
Jarod Lonaker has put his name in the record books during his first and only season as quarterback of the Cooper football team.
After seeing limited action as a back-up quarterback the last two years, Lonaker set single-season team passing records in five categories – attempts (286), completions (164), yards (2,758), touchdowns (29) and yards per game (276) – during the 10-game regular season.
The senior also broke the Jaguars’ single-game record for passing yards with 344 in a win over Campbell County. The previous record of 311 yards was set by Will Ludwig in 2013 and Lonaker has surpassed that in three games this season.
The Jaguars qualified for the Class 6A playoffs so Lonaker will get a chance to add to his single-season records. He also has a shot at breaking the team’s career record of 3,263 passing yards that was set by three-year starter Tyler Morris.
If you include the 28 passing yards Lonaker had as a sophomore and junior, he has a career total of 2,786 that’s only 477 yards shy of the team’s career record.
According to state football records posted on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association website, there have been seven Northern Kentucky quarterbacks who passed for more than 3,000 yards in a single season and six who completed 200 passes or more. To join those lists, Lonaker would need 37 completions and 243 yards during the playoffs that begin Nov. 4.
Highlands football standout going into KHSAA Hall of Fame
Marty Moore, an award-winning football player at Highlands High School, will be inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame during ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, March 18, at the Lexington Convention Center.
Moore, one of 11 inductees in 2017, was named Defensive Player of the Year in Kentucky high school football after his senior season in 1988 when he played linebacker and running back for the Bluebirds. As an all-state selection, he wrapped up high school career playing in the Kentucky/Tennessee All-Star Game before embarking on a standout career at the University of Kentucky (1990-93).
Moore was named All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press and the league coaches in 1993 after helping the Wildcats earn an invitation to the Peach Bowl. He ended his playing days at UK ranked fourth in career tackles with 470.
After being the last player selected in 1994 NFL draft, Moore enjoyed an eight-year pro career and was a member of the New England Patriots team that won the 2001 Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2014.