KY Volleyball Preview

The 2008 Volleyball season is upon us, and with so many great teams and players, the state tournament Oct 31- Nov 1 should be quite interesting. The Seventh Region: Assumption: They have won 12 of the last 13 state championships, 14 of the last 16. Six of their seniors are expected to sign with colleges: Emily Hayden (has committed with Cincinnati), Whitney Craven (Mississippi), Sarah Rogers (Western Kentucky), Stephanie Klefot (UK), Ryanne Milligan (Marshall), and Kasey Elswick (not committed). They are also expecting big seasons from sophomores Jeni Houser and Claire Gerwig. Sacred Heart: They last won the state title in 2003, while being the runner-up to Assumption the past 4 years. The Valkyries will be missing seven seniors off of last year's team, but welcome back one of the nation's top juniors, Emily Juhl. Manual: They have a good chance towards the regional title if Assumption of Sacred Heart fall short. Their major players this year are senior Ellie Roberson (Morehead State) and junior Deja McClendon. The Crimsons will be coached by new coach Kyle Wood. Ballard: They are looking to compete for the title after finishing 26-10 last season. The Bruins lost to Sacred Heart in the regional semifinals last year. Eastern: The Eagles are under a new coach in Jody Charleston. They made it to the regional semifinals last year, falling to Assumption. Brown: Coach Gary Dailey is hoping that Megan Geary and Davonna Collins can help their team regain momentum after losing six seniors off of last years team, which finished 18-12. The Sixth Region: Mercy: After losing the past four seasons to Assumption in the state tournament, they are looking to return a strong team behind seniors Casey Garvey and Paige Wessel. The Jaguars are rebuilding after losing eight seniors off last year's 30-4 team. Presentation: They have been the regional runner-up to Mercy the last three seasons. Presentation lost many key players: Jessica Luker, Samantha James, Shannon Cahill and Colleen Belak, all of which were seniors last season. Butler: New coach Tim Fagan is rebuilding his new team, who lost seven seniors from last seasons' team which finished 17-13. They made it to the regional semifinals last year. Senior leadership will come from Butler's only seniors Katie Johnson and Brook Porter. Holy Cross: Maureen Loftus, Samantha Alberhasky and Alex Smith are expected to lead this year's team under new coach Matthew Thomerson. Last year's team made it to the regional semifinals while finishing 20-10. Iroquois: New coach Charles Scott will help rebuild the Iroquois volleyball team, after going two seasons without one. Pleasure Ridge Park: The 13-11 team last season looks to only senior Addie Barnett for leadership. Eighth Region: Bullitt East: They reached the regional semis last year, and have two strong seniors with Chelsey Smith and Megan Willey. South Oldham: They have won five straight regional titles, finished last season 20-12, but will definitely miss All-State selection Nicole Allgood, who was a senior.