Your guide to Lexington high school volleyball 2020 — including a state title contender
Kentucky’s high school volleyball season got underway Monday and while 11th Region defending champion Henry Clay and arch-nemesis Paul Laurence Dunbar figure to be battling it out again for a trip to the state tournament, there are a number of Lexington teams hoping to take a turn at the top.
Lexington placed four teams in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 released last week, led by No. 5 Henry Clay, and had 18 players on the KVCA Preseason All-State Watch List.
Here’s a look at the Lexington volleyball landscape this season in order of teams’ preseason rankings and approximate finish from last season. All-city and all-state nods are from the 2019 season.
Henry Clay
Last season: 26-16. 11th Region, 42nd District champs. Lost to eventual champion Assumption in the second round of the state tournament.
Preseason KVCA rank: No. 5.
Standing out: Abby Shadwick, sr., 2019 first team all-city and all-state, 2020 KVCA Watch List; Emma Shadwick, sr., 2019 first team all-city; honorable mention all-state, Watch List; Lillie Feldhaus, sr., 2019 HM all-city; Watch List; Paige Wagers, sr., HM all-city; Watch List; Ellery Gray, sr., Watch List.
Big games: Sept. 15 vs. No. 20 West Jessamine; Sept. 16 at No. 2 Assumption; Sept. 24 at No. 4 Notre Dame; Sept. 30 at No. 25 Lafayette; Oct. 8 at No. 3 Sacred Heart; Oct. 13 vs. No. 1 Mercy; Oct. 14 at No. 13 Manual; Oct. 15 at No. 10 Dunbar; Oct. 17 vs. No. 14 McCracken County.
Coach Dale Grupe says: “With nine strong returning seniors and three strong returning juniors, we have the talent and the depth and the experience to be a strong contender for a state championship this season. We still have a tough and competitive schedule that will hopefully prepare us so we can make a solid postseason run. Regardless though, we are just excited that this group will get the chance to play together this season.”
Notes: Henry Clay has come as close as any public school ever has to breaking the stranglehold private academies have held on the state championship over the sport’s 41 years.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Last season: 29-10. 43rd District champs. Lost to Henry Clay in the 11th Region finals.
Preseason KVCA rank: No. 10.
Standing out: Caroline Cole, sr., first team all-city, second team all-state; Watch List; Katelin Ethington, sr. second team all-city; Ava Jackson, So., second team all-city; Watch List; Campbell Gash, jr. second team all-city; Ila Smith, jr.
Big games: Sept. 15 vs. No. 17 Tates Creek; Sept. 22 at No. 25 Lafayette; Sept. 29 at No. 20 West Jessamine; Sept. 30 vs. No. 9 Male; Oct. 13 at No. 2 Assumption; Oct. 15 vs. No. 5 Henry Clay.
Coach Jenni Morgan says: On Caroline Cole — ”The top libero in the state; dig and serve receive leader for the last two years.” On Campbell Gash — -“Great leadership and runs the team well.” On Ila Smith — ”Very athletic and a quick middle.” On team — “What these girls have overcome through COVID is their story!”
Notes: Dunbar was back-to-back 11th Region title holder before Henry Clay toppled the Bulldogs last year. Over a 13-year span, Dunbar has five region crowns and the Blue Devils have eight.
Tates Creek
Last season: 25-9. Lost to Henry Clay in the 11th Region’s first round.
Preseason KVCA rank: No. 17.
Standing out: Lexie Deaton, sr., first team all-city, Watch List; Brooke Poynter, sr., second team all-city, Watch List; Keri Blair, jr., second team all-city; Watch List; Regan Hackenberry, sr., HM all-city, Watch List.
Big games: Sept. 15 at No. 10 Dunbar; Sept. 29 at No. 5 Henry Clay; Oct. 8 vs. No. 25 Lafayette; Oct. 17 vs. No. 15 Cooper.
Coach Morgan Contino says: On Deaton — “Excellent blocker. defensive skills have improved, has a great feel for the game and how the offense should run.” On Poynter — “Great work ethic, always wants to improve, fierce competitor.” On Hackenberry — “Great vision of the court, has emerged as a vocal leader on our team.” On Blair — “Explosive hitter … great footwork on offense and defense.”
Notes: This is Tates Creek’s third head coach in as many years. Contino was a swimmer at Kentucky, but has been an assistant volleyball coach at both Tates Creek and Lafayette as well as Jessie Clark Middle School.
Lafayette
Last season: 26-10. Lost to Tates Creek in the 43rd District semis.
Preseason KVCA rank: No. 25.
Standing out: Lane Jenkins, sr., first team all-city and all-state; Watch List; Riley McChord, jr., HM all-city. Halley Johnson, Sr; Jada Thomas, sr.; Katie Jacobs, jr.
Big games: Sept. 15 at No. 22 Campbell County; Sept. 22 vs. No. 10 Dunbar; Sept. 30 vs. No. 5 Henry Clay; Oct. 8 at No. 17 Tates Creek; Oct. 15 vs. No. 20 West Jessamine.
Coach Chris Langston says: On Johnson and Thomas — “Both versatile hitters for us.” On Jacobs and McChord — “Have started since freshman year.” Langston’s starting five “are ready to have a strong 2020 season.”
Notes: Jenkins has committed to Loyola University of Chicago. The Generals were one of only a few teams all season to push Dunbar to five sets. They beat Tates Creek 3-1 in the regular season just two weeks before the district tournament.
Frederick Douglass
Last season: 27-12. Lost to Dunbar in the 11th Region’s second round.
Standing out: Claire Deitz, sr., HM all-city; Lauren Reynolds, sr. HM all-city; Mattie Quigley, sr., HM all-city; Maggie Harrison, sr.; Jamison Gordon, so.; Payton Hollon, so.
Big games: Sept. 12 at No. 20 West Jessamine; Sept. 15 at Bryan Station; Sep. 17 vs. No. 10 Dunbar; Sept. 21 at Henry Clay; Oct. 6 at No. 25 Lafayette.
Coach Kate Topley says: On Harrison — “Has been a starting player since the program opened ... has led the back row in its defense communication.” On Reynolds “Has increased her kill percentage every season.” On Gordon — “A Sophomore setter that has been playing at the varsity level since she was in seventh grade. She is dynamic and a determined competitor.” On Hollon — “A strong leader within her class throughout the city and will lead this program for the years to come.”
Notes: Topley is in her first season with the Broncos after an assistant stint at Tates Creek; Reynolds has committed to Transylvania.
Bryan Station
Last season: 25-12. Lost to Frederick Douglass in the 42nd District semis.
Standing out: Olivia Bennett, jr., first team all-city; Watch List; Izzy Carter, jr. second team all-city, Watch List; Mia Saenz, jr. second team all-city; Watch List; Jade Loftus, sr. Watch List; Elena Verdecchia, sr. Watch List.
Big games: Sept. 15 vs. Douglass; Oct. 6 at No. 5 Henry Clay; Oct. 8 vs. No. 20 Dunbar. Oct. 12 at No. 17 Tates Creek. Oct. 12 vs. No. 25 Lafayette.
Coach Hilary McKenzie says: On Loftus — “Jade has become a key offensive threat and will play a major role on the court.” On Verdecchia — “She will bring a needed level of maturity and experience to the court.” On Bennett — “Will have another strong season and lead her team defensively.” On Carter — “Due to her constant hard work, Izzy not only receives praise on the local level but on the national level as well.” On Saenz — “I am confident she is entering her best season yet.”
Notes: Bennett has committed to San Diego. Carter is ranked No. 4 in Kentucky for the class of 2022 by Prep Dig. Loftus is coming back from a devastating knee injury last year.
Lexington Catholic
Last season: 18-16. Lost to Dunbar in the 43rd District semis.
Standing out: Avery Alexander, jr., HM all-city; Watch List; Lucy Wedding, jr., HM all-city, Watch List; Emily Fraim, jr., Watch List.
Big games: Sept. 17 vs. No. 25 Lafayette; Sept. 22 at No. 17 Tates Creek; Sept. 24 at No. 10 Dunbar; Oct. 6 vs. Lexington Christian.
Coach Ashley Federle says: On Alexander — “She is creative with her shot selection and is able to find ways to score. She is a strong defender and serve receiver who will add calm and consistency to our back row.” On Wedding — “She attacks the ball with extreme force and puts a massive block up against the right side and middle attackers.” On Fraim — “A junior setter who is looking to make a big splash on varsity this year. Her consistency, work ethic, and passion will be what helps our team.”
Notes: The Knights are looking for their first regional appearance since 2011. Alumna McKenna Vicini is a sophomore player at Stanford.
Sayre
Last season: 21-15. Lost to Scott County in the first round of the 42nd District Tournament.
Standing out: Reese Collins, fr.; Maya Borland, jr.; Kennedy Beatty, jr.; Katherin Croce so.; Maggie Pulliam, so.
Big games: Sept. 12 TBA in 11th Region All “A” Classic. Sept. 30 vs. Bryan Station; Oct. 13 vs. Frederick Douglass.
Coach Leigh Nahra says: On Collins — “Destined to be great … She’s 6-1 and still growing. Her work ethic is amazing.” On Borland — “Gets better every time she steps on the court.” On Beatty — “Incredible leader.”
Notes: Program is in its eighth season. Has had five straight winning seasons and took its first set in district tournament play last year. Three starters from last season withdrew from the team over COVID-19 concerns.
Lexington Christian
Last season: 12-17. Lost to Lexington Catholic in the first round of the 43rd District Tournament.
Standing out: Sophia Bronski, jr.; Tucker Patterson, jr.; Greta Blakemore, sr.; Emilie Teall, sr.
Big games: Sept. 17 vs. No. 17 Tates Creek; Sept. 29 at No. 25 Lafayette; Oct. 1 vs. No. 10 Dunbar; Oct. 6 at Lexington Catholic; Oct. 13 vs. No. No. 20 West Jessamine.
Coach Kirby Willoughby says: “Teall is playing volleyball for the first time, adding to her dual-sport list while also playing basketball and softball.”
Notes: Blakemore is a transfer from Mississippi.
This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 7:33 AM.
