By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Aubrey Rebholz was a promising eighth-grader on the first Brossart volleyball team to reach the Kentucky state tournament in 2022. She developed into a record-setting setter for the Mustangs, who will play Notre Dame in the first round of this year’s state tournament at 7 p.m. Monday in Park Hills.
Rebholz is one of seven seniors on the Brossart team that has a best-ever 36-3 record. The 5-foot-10 veteran has directed the team’s attack so well that she has more than 1,000 assists this season and holds the team record for most career assists with more than 3,400.
“I always say your setter is like your quarterback, you can’t run your offense without them,” said Brossart coach Danielle French. “I’ve always relied on Aubrey. She’s very smart on the court. She knows where to place the ball and who to get it to when it matters. Her court awareness is top notch.”
The Mustangs entered the 10th Region final with a .482 team attack percentage. The team leaders in kills are sophomore Evelyn Laker and 6-foot-1 senior Callie Ritter, who have a combined total of more than 700.
Despite their impressive record, the Mustangs were never ranked among the state’s top 25 teams in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Poll.
They’ll be facing No. 2-ranked Notre Dame (25-11) in the first-round quadrant of the state playoffs that includes winners of Regions 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Last year, Notre Dame defeated the Region 12 champion West Jessamine to advance to the state quarterfinals. The Pandas made it to the championship final and lost to Louisville Assumption, 3-2, in a battle between two of the state’s premier volleyball programs.
“We don’t talk about the coaches top 25 rankings because we know our record speaks for itself,” coach French said. “Our defense is very strong and our offense is very strong as well. We have a solid team and they play smart volleyball.”
Notre Dame came from behind to defeat No. 4 Beechwood, 3-2, in last the Region 9 title match. Brossart is coming off a 3-0 win against unranked George Rogers Clark in the Region 10 final. The Mustangs have not lost a set in their last 11 matches, but that will be tough to do against the Pandas.
“We know it’s going to be a very intense game, but they’re ready for it,” French said of her players.
The winner of Monday’s match will face West Jessamine or Frederick Douglass in the state quarterfinals at 5 p.m. Friday at George Rogers Clark High School.
Volleyball state tournament
MONDAY — Upper bracket matches
Rowan County (32-8) at Paintsville (34-6), 7:30 p.m.
Louisville Mercy (28-7) at Elizabethtown (31-5), 6 p.m.
North Oldham (18-12) at Louisville Assumption (36-3), 6:30 p.m.
Christian County (26-13) at McCracken County (24-15), 6 p.m.
MONDAY — Lower bracket matches
Brossart (36-3) at Notre Dame (25-11), 7 p.m.
West Jessamine (34-6) at Frederick Douglass (21-6), 7 p.m.
Letcher County Central (29-8) at Whitley County (36-4), 7 p.m.
Bowling Green (32-7) at Owensboro Apollo (37-3), 6 p.m.
FRIDAY — at George Rogers Clark High School
Upper bracket quarterfinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Lower bracket quarterfinals, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY — at George Rogers Clark High School
Semifinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Championship match, 7:30 p.m.