By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Conner is the only district runner-up that made it to the final four of the 9th Region volleyball tournament by winning its match in the opening round on Sunday at Cooper High School.
The Cougars, ranked No. 18 in the latest state coaches poll, defeated Highlands, 25-17, 25-18, 19-25, 25-12, in the closest match of the day to post their program’s first region tournament victory in more than 20 years. St. Henry, Ryle and Notre Dame all won their first-round matches by 3-0 scores.
Conner’s semifinal opponent at 7:30 p.m. Thursday will be Notre Dame, the top ranked team in the state poll and last year’s state champion. The Pandas have a 13-0 record against 9th Region opponents this season, including a 3-0 win over Conner on Sept. 14.
The first region semifinal match on Tuesday will be St. Henry vs. Ryle at 6 p.m. In the coaches poll, St. Henry is No. 6 and Ryle is No. 9. Three weeks ago, St. Henry defeated Ryle, 3-0, in a regular season match.
North Oldham and Simon Kenton are the top teams in the 8th Region tournament bracket, according to the coaches poll. If both of them win first-round matches on Tuesday, they’ll meet in the region semifinals on Wednesday at Eminence.
The two local teams in the 10th Region tournament at Harrison County will face opponents they didn’t play during the regular season in the opening round. Scott takes on Bourbon County at 7:45 p.m. Monday and Scott faces George Rogers Clark at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Volleyball region tournament schedules
9TH REGION AT COOPER HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
St. Henry (30-8) vs. Ryle (24-12), 6 p.m.
Notre Dame (28-5) vs. Conner (28-9), 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.
8TH REGION AT EMINENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Woodford County vs. Oldham County, 6 p.m.
Henry County vs. Grant County, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
North Oldham vs. Collins, 6 p.m.
Simon Kenton vs. Eminence, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Semifinal matches, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION AT HARRISON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Bracken County vs. Pendleton County, 6 p.m.
Scott vs. Bourbon County, 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday
Harrison County vs. Augusta, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. George Rogers Clark, 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday
Semifinal matches, 6 and 7:45 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.