By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The recent announcement that Camryn Whitaker-Volz has agreed to step down as head coach of the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team affects one current and two former high school players from this area.
Scott graduate Mya Meredith and Notre Dame graduate Noelle Hubert were first-year players on the Norse roster last season. Hubert was a freshman guard who played in 31 games during the team’s 11-21 campaign. Meredith, a junior transfer, was not listed in the final statistics.
Anna Hamilton, a senior guard at Conner, made a commitment with NKU in October. She averaged 16.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in her final high school season and was voted one of the top five players in the 9th Region by local coaches.
Hubert and Meredith could not be reached for a comment on their plans for the future. Hamilton is on a spring break vacation with her family this week, according to Conner coach Michelle Gambrel.
“My understanding is, though she is disappointed coach Whitaker (Volz) is gone, she plans to stay,” Gambrel said in an email.
Volz agreed to step down as coach after a university investigation into allegations of her mistreating players. After meetings with players, assistant coaches and Volz to discuss the allegations, the university issued a statement on Friday.
“NKU and Camryn Volz have amicably agreed that she will no longer serve as head women’s basketball coach,” the statement said. “Although NKU has determined that Coach Volz did not violate any university employment policies, we have agreed that it is appropriate for a change in leadership of the women’s basketball program.”
Beechwood, NewCath advance to All “A” Classic baseball final
Beechwood advanced to the championship game of the 9th Region All “A” Classic baseball tournament with a 14-3 win over Holy Cross in a semifinal game on Sunday at Meinken Field in Covington.
It was the sixth consecutive victory for the 8-3 Tigers, who will play Newport Central Catholic in the region final at 7 p.m. Monday at Thomas More Stadium in Florence. NewCath got past St. Henry, 3-2, in Sunday’s other semifinal game.
Beechwood scored eight unearned runs off 10 errors in its victory. The Tigers had seven hits with sophomore outfielder Sawyer Carlisle going 3-for-5 at the plate. Senior outfielder Shawn Sowder had two singles and four RBI.
NewCath senior pitcher Connor Seiter led his team to the win over St. Henry. After giving up two runs in the first inning, he held the Crusaders scoreless the rest of the way. He also had two hits and two RBI.
The winner of Monday’s game will play the 10th Region champion in the sectional round of the All “A” Classic playoffs. The eight winners of sectional games will compete in the state tournament April 27-28 at a site to be determined.
Holy Cross grad Jacob Meyer transfers to DePaul basketball team
Holy Cross graduate Jacob Meyer, who entered the college basketball transfer portal after his freshman season, announced his commitment with DePaul University on Friday.
Meyer averaged a team-high 15.7 points as a starting guard for Coastal Carolina last season. He also contributed 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the Sun Belt Conference team that finished with a 9-22 record.
Coastal Carolina recruited Meyer after a remarkable high school career at Holy Cross. He led the state in scoring twice with averages of 38.2 and 36.8 and set a 9th Region career record with 3,280 total points.
DePaul is a member of the Big East Conference that includes Xavier University. Last season, the Blue Demons were 3-29 overall and lost all 20 of their conference games. The team’s top two scorers averaged 10 points per game.
Chris Holtman was hired in March as the new head coach of the DePaul program. In 13 years as a head coach at Ohio State and Butler, Holtman took eight teams to the NCAA Tournament.