By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Beechwood’s volleyball team stands on the threshold of an historic accomplishment.
If the Tigers win the 9th Region championship match Thursday, they’ll become the first public school to win the tournament since the current playoff format was adopted in 2003. To do that, they’ll have to defeat perennial power Notre Dame, a team with a 17-5 record in 9th Region finals.
Beechwood and Notre Dame split their previous two matches this season. First serve in their championship title rematch is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Dayton High School.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Beechwood senior Isabel O’Brien said in an online interview after her team’s region semifinal win on Wednesday. “I’m just grateful to be in this place and the spot that we’re in. As long as we play our hearts out (Thursday), that’s all that matters.”
O’Brien was named 9th Region Player of the Year for leading Beechwood (35-4) in both kills and defensive digs this season. She added to both team-high totals during a 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 win over Conner that made the Tigers a region finalist for the first time since 2003.
The Bellarmine University recruit was named an outstanding player in that match along with Conner senior Shylyn Koerber.
In the other semifinal match, Notre Dame defeated St. Henry, 27-25, 25-14, 25-17. It was a different outcome than their regular season match when St. Henry rallied for a 3-2 win.
“The last time we played St. Henry we struggled with picking up their tips and their setter dumps,” Notre Dame coach Hannah Colvin said in an online interview. “So we really focused on defense and made sure nothing was hitting the floor. We still gave up a few, but not as many as last time.”
Junior middle hitter Makayla Roose was named Notre Dame’s outstanding player for her steady play at the net. St. Henry’s award went to junior setter Madelyn Keipert.
The leading scorer for Notre Dame (24-11) was senior Teagan Kondik. In the first set, she got five of her team’s first 10 points and the last two points that won it.
In the second set, Kondik had three service aces and one kill during a decisive 8-0 run that resulted in a 19-12 lead. The Pandas ended the third set with a 4-0 run that included three blocks at the net.
Notre Dame has won the 9th Region tournament the last four years, but coach Colvin expects a strong challenge from Beechwood in Thursday’s title game.
“”Something that we’ve been doing well this whole tournament and we said needs to take us through to the end is serving,” Colvin said. “We have to focus on getting the other team out of system as much as possible, so continuing to be aggressive behind the service line whenever possible is going to be the biggest thing.”
Brossart one win away from first region volleyball title
Brossart is one win away from claiming its first 10th Region volleyball championship and making its debut in the state tournament.
The Mustangs will play George Rogers Clark in the region final on their home court at 6 p.m. Thursday to decide which team goes to next week’s season finale. They both won semifinal matches by 3-0 scores on Wednesday to battle for the title.
Brossart (35-3) and George Rogers Clark (23-7) did not play each other during the regular season. Neither of them lost to any other 10th Region team on their schedules.
The 10th Region Player of the Year chosen by the coaches is Brossart senior Callie Ritter. the 6-foot-1 middle hitter entered her team’s region semifinal match with 312 kills and 130 total blocks.
Volleyball region tournaments
9th REGION AT DAYTON HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship match: Beechwood (35-4) vs. Notre Dame (24-11), 7 p.m.
10th REGION AT BROSSART HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship match: Brossart (35-3) vs. George Rogers Clark (23-7), 6 p.m.
Soccer state tournaments
SATURDAY
Boys quarterfinal match: Johnson Central (18-2-1) at Ryle (23-3-1), 7 p.m.
Girls quarterfinal match: Russell (19-3) at Highlands (17-6-1), 7 p.m.
Cross country state championship meets
SATURDAY AT KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Class 3A — Girls 10 a.m. / Boys 10:45a.m.
Class 2A — Girls 12:30 p.m. / Boys 1:15 p.m.
Class 1A — Girls 3 p.m. / Boys 3:45 p.m.