By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Maureen Kaiser is retiring as head coach of the St. Henry volleyball program with more than 900 career wins, including an historic victory in the 2021 KHSAA state tournament final.
That’s when the Crusaders defeated Louisville Mercy, 3-0, to become the first small-school team to win the postseason state tournament since 1981. The team that won the title that year was St. Henry and Kaiser was a freshman on the roster.
“I can’t even put it into words. It’s been a magical dream,” Kaiser said after the 2021 title match. “I have seven seniors that knew what job we had to do and took it and ran with it.”
After spending two years as the head coach at Holy Cross, Kaiser was in charge of the St. Henry program for 36 years. She compiled an 889-399 record with the Crusaders and has a 914-426 record overall.
She ranks among the top three in career wins in Kentucky high school volleyball, according to a media release from St. Henry.
St. Henry teams also won eight All “A” Classic state tournaments and two runner-up trophies in postseason state tournaments under Kaiser. Her name is painted on the St. Henry gym floor to honor her accomplishments. She will remain a teacher at the co-ed school.
“She built the St. Henry volleyball program into a consistent state power year in and year out,” St. Henry athletic director Jim Demler said in the school’s media release. “Her records and coaching accolades speak for themselves.”
This season, St. Henry made it to the 9th Region semifinals and posted a 21-9 record with mostly underclassmen on the roster. Demler said the search for a new head volleyball coach will begin immediately. The person selected will have big shoes to fill.
“Coach Kaiser has built a program at St. Henry that represents faith, excellence, dedication and tradition,” St. Henry principal Grant Brannen said in the media release. “Her legacy goes far beyond wins and championships, as she has impacted generations of student-athletes and helped establish a standard of success that will continue for years to come.”
Former Holmes boys basketball coach passes away
Reynolds Flynn, the coach who led Holmes boys basketball teams to five 9th Region championships and a state runner-up trophy, passed away last Thursday at the age of 90.
Flynn’s teams compiled a 344-198 record in 18 seasons and were 5-3 in 9th Region finals. In 1976, Holmes won its first region title in 25 years. The Bulldogs made it back to the region finals each of the next four seasons, winning additional titles in 1977, 1978 and 1980. Flynn’s last region championship came in 1988.
The 1977-78 Holmes team finished with a 32-2 record after a 68-66 loss in overtime to Shelby County in the state championship game.
A photo showed a Shelby County player committed a goaltending penalty during the overtime period, but officials missed it and did not give the Bulldogs two points.
“Coach Flynn believed in helping his players reach their potential and demanded 100 percent effort at all times,” according to his obituary. “His teams played with tremendous energy and a commitment to teamwork.”
Flynn is a member of the KHSAA Dawahares Hall of Fame, Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, Covington Public Schools Hall of Fame and Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.
Funeral services will be Thursday at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, 5336 Old Taylor Mill Road. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. with the service at 2:00 p.m followed by burial with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the TEAM Foundation, P.O. Box 12132, Covington, Ky. 41011.
Notre Dame grad posts double-double for Yale team
Notre Dame graduate Sophia Gibson posted the first double-double of her collegiate career at Yale University with 13 points and 11 rebounds in a 106-24 win over St. Francis last Friday.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore forward came off the bench and made 6 of 12 field goals as well as lead the team in rebounds. Her totals in 10 games last season were 15 points and 22 rebounds.
Yale is off to a 3-0 start and has a home game against Rider (0-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday that will be on ESPN+.