By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
A hashtag created by the parents of a Campbell County volleyball player captures the team’s mindset going into the state tournament that begins Friday at Valley High School in Louisville.
None of the Camels has played in the state tournament before, but the hashtag #whynotus has them thinking anything is possible now that they’ve finally gotten to the season finale.
“It is kind of like a motivation for us,” said Hannah Wells, one of seven seniors on the team. “We know it’s not going to be easy. Every day in practice we just keep working and watching film of the team we’re playing Friday. We’re ready to do our best and hopefully win some games.”
This is the first time in five years that Campbell County has qualified for the 16-team state tournament as the 10th Region champion. In the opening round on Friday, the Camels will face a Central Hardin team that’s making it’s third straight appearance.
Last year, Central Hardin knocked off 10th Region champion Scott in the first round. But that doesn’t seem to shake the confidence Campbell County coach Kennedy Berkley has in her team.
“A lot of times we’re criticized because we’re in a weaker region,” she said. “But we’ve done what we needed to do to be in the Sweet 16, so we’ll give it our all and play to the best of our abilities. We made it this far so why end now. We have seven seniors and we want to give it the best run we can to make it a great experience for them.”
Wells is the team’s defensive standout at the libero position. The four-year starter averages 19 digs per match and her steady passing generates offensive opportunities.
“There’s been very few games where defense was something we lacked,” said coach Berkley. “Hannah just leads the back court. If she wasn’t out there we’d fall apart. She coaches everybody and makes sure they all keep their minds straight.”
It took some time for the Camels to get their act together on the offensive attack. They got off to a 2-6 start and lost four of five matches during the last two weeks of September before everything started clicking.
“We had a couple bumps in the road with injuries and lineup changes,” the coach said. “But they stuck to it and were determined to win district and regional, and they did it. I could not be more proud of them for that.”
After losing a regular-season match at Harrison County on Sept. 27, Campbell County ran off seven straight victories to reach the 10th Region final and faced Harrison County once again. The Camels won that rematch in four sets with Wells getting 51 digs and senior setter Lauren Vineyard getting 43 assists.
Vineyard is averaging 24 assists per match going into the state tournament. The team’s leading hitter is senior Elyse Wieland with 233 kills, followed by senior Karli Siry (205) and sophomore Olivia Crowl (193). Junior middle hitter Kasey Martin has a team-high 168 blocks along with 185 kills.
Seniors provided the leadership that the Camels needed to get through rough patches during the regular season and make it to the state tournament. The team will be counting on them once again this weekend.
“We know if we lose this is the last time we’ll be playing volleyball together,” Wells said. “It’s kind of bittersweet, but we’ve all been stepping up and playing because of that.”
VOLLEYBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
Friday – First round at Louisville Valley High School
Corbin (32-7) vs. McCracken County (32-8), 9:30 a.m.
St. Henry (31-9) vs. North Oldham (21-7), 11 a.m.
Louisville Mercy (32-6) vs. Breckinridge County (32-7), 12:30 p.m.
Greenwood (35-5) vs. Rowan County (27-12), 2 p.m.
Henderson County (22-11) vs. Letcher County Central (30-3), 3:30 p.m.
Campbell County (22-12) vs. Central Hardin (31-8), 5 p.m.
Lexington Dunbar (29-9) vs. Louisville Assumption (39-0), 6:30 p.m.
Paintsville (35-3) vs. Pulaski Southwestern (27-13), 8 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Saturday – Quarterfinals in Lexington
Lexington Henry Clay (11-8-3) vs. Boyd County (16-1-1), 1 p.m. at Lexington Dunbar
Louisville St. Xavier (23-2-1) vs. Corbin (11-8-1), 3 p.m. at Lexington Lafayette
Highlands (22-1-3) vs. Daviess County (21-2-1), 5 p.m. at Lexington Dunbar
Louisville Butler (18-3-1) vs. Hopkinsville (18-6-2), 7 p.m. at Lexington Lafayette
GIRLS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Saturday – Quarterfinals in Lexington
Sacred Heart (22-1-1) vs. North Laurel (14-7-2), 1 p.m. at Lexington Lafayette
West Jessamine (15-3-5) vs. Russell (14-4-1), 5 p.m. at Lexington Lafayette
Highlands (21-4) vs. Greenwood (17-2-3), 3 p.m. at Lexington Dunbar
Bardstown Bethlehem (23-2-2) vs. Henderson County (19-2-1), 7 p.m. at Lexington Dunbar
CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL MEETS
Saturday at Sherman Elementary School, Dry Ridge
Class A boys, 1 p.m.
Class A girls, 1:45 p.m.
Class AA boys, 2:30 p.m.
Class AA girls, 3:15 p.m.
Class AAA boys, 4 p.m.
Class AAA girls, 4:45 p.m.