By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The St. Henry and Notre Dame volleyball teams that have faced each other in the 9th Region championship final 11 of the last 15 years both won district titles on Wednesday and return to the regional once again.
Notre Dame defeated Holy Cross, 25-11, 25-18, 25-14, in the 35th District final and St. Henry got past Dixie Heights, 22-25, 25-15, 22-25, 25-17, 15-11, in the 34th District final to move a step closer to a possible rematch in the regional tournament at Boone County High School next week. Pairings will be decided at a coaches meeting on Saturday.
St. Henry won regional championship matches against Notre Dame the last two years. But Notre Dame has a perfect 12-0 record against regional opponents this season, including a 3-1 win over St. Henry on Sept. 20.
Cooper won a five-set match with Ryle in the 33rd District final on Wednesday. After Cooper took the first two sets, 25-15, 25-20, Ryle battled back to win the next two, 25-20, 25-23, to even the match. Cooper then came on top, 15-12, in the tie-breaker.
The winner and runner-up in each district advance to regional competition. The other two teams in the 9th Region bracket will be 36th District champion Highlands and runner-up Newport Central Catholic.
Campbell County defeated Scott, 25-23, 25-11, 25-20, in the 37th District final on Wednesday. Both of those teams will play in the 10th Region tournament next week. Simon Kenton qualified for the 8th Region tournament as the 32nd District champion.
North Oldham High School will be the site of the 8th Region tournament with pairings to be decided on Saturday. The winner of the Mason County vs. Bracken County district final on Thursday will host the 10th Region tournament and conduct a pairings meeting on Friday.