Here are the top volleyball teams to watch in the Louisville area in 2022
Five straight years, the Mercy Academy volleyball team has reached the pinnacle of Kentucky high school volleyball — the state championship match.
Five straight years, the Jaguars’ season has ended in heartache.
A stretch of five straight state runner-up finishes is quite an accomplishment, but Mercy is hoping to get over the hump this year and win its first title since 2014.
Jaguars coach Connie Hulsmeyer is excited about her team’s chances.
“We will be strong offensively at every position,” she said, “and we return several (defensive specialists) with considerable varsity experience.”
The Jaguars finished 30-11 last season after being swept in three sets by St. Henry in the state final. Mercy’s run of championship appearances started with three straight losses to rival Assumption from 2017-19 and continued in 2020 with a five-set loss to Notre Dame.
The 2022 roster is loaded with 12 seniors, led by outside hitter Maddie Hagan, middle blockers Meredith Brown and Emma Barnett and defensive specialist Aubrey Hennis. Barnett has committed to play basketball at Ohio University. Sophomore Maddie Green also returns as a defensive specialist.
Hulsmeyer said the team’s biggest challenge will be replacing setter Ella Teeley, who graduated after earning first-team All-State honors last season.
Here’s a look at other girls volleyball teams from the Louisville area (note: several coaches did not respond to requests for information):
Other regional contenders
Assumption (30-6 record in 2021) lost to Sacred Heart in the Seventh Region semifinals last year. Outside hitter Sydney Helmers is one of the nation’s top recruits in the Class of 2023 and has committed to the University of Texas. She missed the 2021 postseason after suffering two concussions during the year. Four other seniors have committed to NCAA Division I schools — setter Whitney Woodrow (Fordham), middle blocker Gabrielle Gerry (South Carolina), opposite hitter Alexis Strong (Abilene Christian) and defensive specialist Lydia Stephens (Eastern Kentucky). “We are very strong offensively with experience in every position,” coach Ron Kordes said. “Our ball control and defense has looked good in preseason.”
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Christian Academy (20-15) reached the Seventh Region semifinals last year and has a new coach in Sherry Ashley. Senior outside hitter Isabelle George, junior outside hitter Kristen Schlater and junior setter Mary Claire Oswald lead the Centurions.
Holy Cross (23-16) has lost to Mercy in the last two Sixth Region finals. Coach Andrew Hayden believes the Cougars have a balanced squad led by senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Mia Maloney, senior right-side hitter Ceci Kamer and junior middle blocker Raegan Glover. Kamer is returning from a broken ankle suffered last season.
Male (20-18) dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Sacred Heart in last year’s Seventh Region final and has a new coach in Michelle Daugherty. Five seniors lead the way — setter Savannah Jolly, outside hitters Lauren Bohn and Emma Jones, middle blocker Taylor McBride and libero Olivia Hellman. Sophomore middle blocker Bella Gantt also returns.
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Manual (22-13) returns senior middle/outside hitter Nya Bunton, who earned first-team All-State honors last season and has committed to the University of Texas. “She has transformed the Manual program and community in her time here,” coach Richard Weaver said. Other leaders for the Crimsons will be senior middle hitter Cecilia Roberts, junior middle blocker Aleicea Watson and junior defensive specialist Ellie Melton.
North Oldham (15-12) had won seven straight Eighth Region titles before falling to Simon Kenton in last year’s regional semifinals. The Mustangs will look to return to the top of the region this year behind senior utility player Holly Pitchford, junior setter Lucy Rankin and junior libero Brooke Bennett.
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Oldham County (15-15) is the defending Eighth Region champion and returns its top two scorers from last season in senior Allie Stinson (195 kills) and sophomore Shelby Davis (181 kills).
Presentation (20-8) is the defending 25th District champion and returns senior Meredith Abell and junior setter Kelsey Monks, who had a team-high 65 aces last year.
Sacred Heart (33-10) is the defending Seventh Region champion and reached the state semifinals last year before falling to St. Henry. The Valkyries suffered major losses to graduation but will look to rebuild behind a trio of seniors — setter Lainee Mack (Flagler College commit) and defensive specialists Ava Norris (Florida Atlantic commit) and Lauren Varga. Other leaders will include junior middle hitter Avarie Adams, junior defensive specialist Hailee Mack and sophomore middle hitter Elise Hart. “Another tough national schedule will have us prepared to make another run late in the season,” coach Brett Versen said.
Others to watch
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Ballard (21-11) returns a veteran team led by seniors Neeyah Shaheed-Steversen, Nuri Shaheed-Steversen and Alayna Johnson and juniors Makaylah May and Rachel Ganoe. A pair of transfers — sophomores Piper Blain and Nia Smith — are also expected to contribute.
Bullitt East (21-9) has a veteran group led by seven seniors — Chasity Kiser, Layla McAuliffe, Hayla Puckett, Brianna Jensen, Emma Brogan, Torrie Frist and Cara-Lynn McCord. McAuliffe and junior Katherine Cissell were the top hitters last year.
Central (8-19) will look to improve behind a group of five seniors — outside hitter Trinity Edison, middle blocker Jala Douglas and defensive specialists KeKe Hamilton-Sloss, Jasmine Morgan and Kyrra Bartlett. Middle blocker Destiny Jones and outside hitter Shana Johnson are top juniors.
Collins (12-19) will look to improve behind senior setter Avery Hellmann, junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Renee Borders and sophomore outside hitter Kylee Bratcher.
Eastern (15-18) has a new coach in John Frank, who will lean on senior libero Hannah Fox, senior right-side hitter Lacy Jones and sophomore left-side hitter Josie O’Neal.
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Fern Creek (7-13) is “in a definite rebuilding year,” according to coach Melissa Tabor. Leaders will be senior outside hitter Mackenzie Zinser, senior defensive specialist Sydney Pleasant, junior defensive specialist Christa Tylutke and sophomore middle hitter Justice Brown.
Francis Parker (4-17) will lean on senior outside hitter/setter Lane Coughlin. Francis Parker recently changed its name from St. Francis.
Jeffersontown (7-11) has a new coach in Andy Benner, who will rely on senior outside hitter/setter Destiny Cater, junior libero Stevie Brown and junior outside hitter/setter Sydney Taylor.
North Bullitt (18-14) reached the Sixth Region semifinals last year and returns nine players from that team, led by senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Caydence Macowiak, senior middle blocker Morgan Towles, senior setter Kayli Feger and junior outside hitter Kenzie Kleitz.
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Seneca (25-11) returns six players from last year’s team, led by senior libero Kylie Torrellas Morales, senior opposite hitter Hannah Skaggs, junior outside hitter Mya Lewis and junior middle blocker Ayen Nhial.
South Oldham (18-16) returns five starters from last season — seniors Tori Kasser, Kelli Conder and Mary Clarah Pazienza and junior Emma Closurdo and Lexi McGee.
Spencer County (13-15) is looking to rebuild behind senior outside hitter Alanna Wray, senior setter Loralea Cox and junior middle blocker Ella Brown.
Western (2-16) will look to improve behind senior Jamicia Calbert and junior Sequoia Cochran.
Whitefield Academy (16-16) has just one senior on the roster in middle blocker Jasmine Porter. Other key players will include junior setter Maggie Bieckman and junior libero Cammie Judd.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky high school volleyball: Top teams in Louisville area in 2022
