By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Notre Dame and St. Henry both won volleyball district finals in straight sets on Wednesday and will enter next week’s 9th Region tournament as the leading contenders for the title once again.
In the last 20 region tournaments, the winner of the Notre Dame vs. St. Henry match has been the champion. The teams met in the region final 14 times and Notre Dame holds an 8-6 edge in those matches.
On Wednesday, Notre Dame defeated Beechwood, 3-0, in the 35th District final and St. Henry defeated Villa Madonna, 3-0, in the 34th District final.
All four teams advance to the region tournament that begins Sunday at St. Henry. The other four teams in the bracket will be Ryle, Cooper, Highlands and Newport Central Catholic.
This is the first time since 2015 that Villa Madonna (22-7) has earned a region tournament berth. The first-round pairings will be decided during a draw to be held on Saturday morning.
Notre Dame libero Julia Grace was named most valuable player on the 35th District all-tournament team that included two of her teammates, Ava Tilden and Lizzy Larkins. The 34th District all-tournament selections for St. Henry were Madelyn Keipert, Madi Demler and most valuable player Emily Helmer.
Soccer state tournament games
THURSDAY
Girls — Lexington Catholic at Campbell County, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Boys — Lexington Henry Clay at Campbell County, 4 p.m.
Volleyball district tournament finals
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Simon Kenton vs. Grant County, 6 p.m. Thursday
33rd DISTRICT AT RYLE
Ryle vs. Cooper, 6 p.m. Thursday
34th DISTRICT AT LLOYD
St. Henry defeated Villa Madonna, 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-10)
35th DISTRICT AT NOTRE DAME
Notre Dame defeated Beechwood, 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-22)
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE
Highlands defeated Newport Central Catholic, 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-12)
37th DISTRICT AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN
Scott vs. Brossart, 6 p.m. Thursday
Cross country region championship meets
SATURDAY
Class 1A, Region 4 at Williamstown
Class 2A, Region 4 at Bourbon County
Class 3A, Region 5 at Williamstown