By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
There were no surprises in the opening round of the 9th Region volleyball tournament as four district winners won matches against district runner-up teams on Sunday at St. Henry High School.
The semifinal matches on Tuesday will be defending champion Notre Dame vs. Highlands at 5:30 p.m. and Ryle vs. St. Henry at 7:30 p.m. The latest Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association state rankings have Notre Dame No. 1, St. Henry No. 4, Ryle No. 8 and Highlands No. 24.
Notre Dame extended its record to 29-3 with a 3-0 win over Villa Madonna on Sunday. That match drew a lot of interest because Villa Madonna senior Maya Kondik was playing against her sister, Teagan, a sophomore on Notre Dame’s team.
If Notre Dame and St. Henry win their semifinal matches, they will meet in the region final for the 15th time in 21 years. Notre Dame holds an 8-6 edge in the previous 14 championship matches, including a 3-0 win in last year’s final.
First-round matches in the 10th Region tournament include Brossart vs. Bracken County at 7:45 p.m. Monday and Scott vs. Bourbon County at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Bracken County High School. Scott was region runner-up the last two years.
Simon Kenton will face Oldham County at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first round match of the 8th Region tournament at Eminence. Last year, Oldham County defeated Simon Kenton, 3-1, in the region final.
In a boys soccer state playoff game on Saturday, Lexington Henry Clay knocked off Campbell County, 6-0, to advance to the final four. The Camels ended the season with a 15-9-1 record.
Region volleyball tournaments
9th REGION AT ST. HENRY
Sunday
Highlands 3, Cooper 0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-20)
Notre Dame 3, Villa Madonna 0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-10)
Ryle 3, Newport Central Catholic 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-11)
St. Henry 3, Beechwood 1 (25-16, 25-15, 11-25, 25-21)
Tuesday
Highlands vs. Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m.
Ryle vs. St. Henry, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.
10th REGION AT BRACKEN COUNTY
Monday
Montgomery County vs. Harrison County, 6 p.m.
Brossart vs. Bracken County, 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday
Pendleton County vs. Augusta, 6 p.m.
Scott vs. Bourbon County, 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday
Semifinal matches, 6 and 7:45 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.
8th REGION AT EMINENCE
Monday
North Oldham vs. Shelby County, 6 p.m.
Grant County vs. Henry County, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Collins vs. Eminence, 6 p.m.
Simon Kenton vs. Oldham County, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Semifinal matches, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 7 p.m.