Fresh start: Your guide to Lexington high school volleyball in 2022
A new fall season marks a fresh start for any high school sports team, but that’s especially true for many Lexington volleyball teams this year.
Paul Laurence Dunbar, Bryan Station, Lexington Catholic and Tates Creek said farewell to a number of key contributors upon their graduation.
This season, Tates Creek’s changing of the guard also comes with a shiny new gym to go with the $84.5 million school that welcomed students last week.
“We moved in on Monday,” Tates Creek Coach Morgan Contino said of the Commodores’ new digs at the second edition of Nolan Barger Gymnasium, where the Commodores scrimmaged Madison Southern on Thursday. “The kids’ smiles on their faces were just incredible, obviously.”
Contino’s team had been practicing in the much smaller gym at the middle school up until Aug. 8. That limited what the players could do with only one net in tight quarters.
“Our first practice (at the new gym) was just great, and they were awestruck with how beautiful the facility is,” Contino said.
The new school and gym exceeded junior Kylie Simpson’s expectations.
“It was crazy … the middle school is 10 times smaller than this. It was really good to get in here and play on both courts,” Simpson said. “I’m also looking forward to just the team in general because we have a really good connection this year.”
Lexington Catholic has a new head coach. Jeff Kaufmann was a volunteer assistant for Ashley Federle’s final team last season. Federle coached the Knights for nine seasons and led them to a 25-10 mark that included the Kentucky 2A State Tournament championship in 2021. Kaufmann moved to Lexington from Woodstock, Illinois, where he was a longtime high school and club coach.
The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association’s preseason poll ranks No. 4 Paul Laurence Dunbar and No. 9 Frederick Douglass as the favorites to try to reclaim the 11th Region title from No. 17 Great Crossing. The Warhawks’ win over Dunbar in last year’s region finals marked the first time a Lexington team had not gone on to the state tournament since 2004.
The 2004 season also marked the last time Coach Dale Grupe had a losing record at Henry Clay until posting a 6-30 mark in 2021 in the wake of losing a number of seniors off one of its best teams in program history in 2020.
“Last year was a good growth year despite the record,” Grupe said. “These young players gained a lot from that experience and are primed to do well this season.”
Here’s a look at the 2022 Lexington volleyball landscape in order of teams’ preseason rankings or approximate finish from last season. All-city nods and stats are from the 2021 season. Quotes are from the coach. Guide to positions: DS-defensive specialist; H-hitter; L-libero; MB-middle blocker; MH-middle hitter; OH-outside hitter; RS-right-side hitter; S-setter.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
KVCA preseason rank: No. 4.
Coach: Jenni Morgan.
Last season: 27-10. 43rd District champion and region runner-up. Lost 3-1 to Great Crossing in region finals.
Standing out: Emma McDowell, sr., DS/L, all-city second team (295 digs/27 aces), “Great defensive player.” … Ava Jackson, sr., OH, all-city first team (419 kills/238 digs/55 aces), “Six-rotation player bringing a lot of experience.” … Nyla Gaines, sr., MB, all-city second team (150 kills/45 blocks/27 aces), “Very athletic and versatile player.”
Coach says: “This is a very competitive district and region. Our goal as a team is to be better than the last time we stepped on the court. These girls have overcome adversity over the past two years.
Notes: Dunbar returns six players with regular starting experience. Sophomore setter Isabela Haggard won the long jump, triple jump and high jump at last spring’s region track and field meet and went on to win the state meet long jump and finish second and third in the other two, respectively.
Frederick Douglass
KVCA preseason rank: No. 9.
Coach: Kate Topley.
Last season: 22-12. 42nd District runner-up. Lost 3-2 to Great Crossing in region semifinals.
Standing out: Jamison Gordon, sr., S, all-city first team (237 kills/547 assists/42 aces), “Incredible volleyball IQ and it allows her to be a leader for us in our offense on the floor.” … Torii Starks, jr., MB, all-city honorable mention (81 kills/59 blocks), “Worked all offseason on her agility and speed and it shows.” … Nalaney Bivins, sr., DS, all-city second team (244 digs/24 aces), “Brings the calming energy and the momentum specifically when the team needs it.” … Addison Jarvis, so, OH, all-city honorable mention (86 kills); “Has gotten faster and more controlled.”
Coach says: “We had a young offense last year, so being able to return many and continue building on the strengths and knowledge that the girls have of each other should lead to an exciting season.”
Notes: Douglass returns five starters. Gordon has committed to Xavier. Starks is 6-foot-4. This marks the first season Douglass has been ranked in a KVCA preseason poll. The Broncos were rated No. 18 in the final 2021 poll.
Bryan Station
Coach: Hilary McKenzie.
Last season: 25-5. 42nd District champions. Lost 3-0 to Dunbar in region semifinals.
Standing out: Cameron Owens, fr., OH, all-city honorable mention (171 kills/20 blocks), “Has a heavy arm and a high volleyball IQ … her height, along with her vertical, makes her a force at the net.” … Micah Robinson, fr., OH, “Shows a lot of promise to be a reliable attack from anywhere on the court.” … Sierra Mulder, jr., L, “Fast on her feet and has an ability to read and react to balls quickly.” … Beatriz Moreira, so., MH (57 kills/30 blocks), “Her speed and agility make her a force to reckon with on the net.”
Coach says: “Our program is really young. We have no seniors, which provides an interesting environment for younger girls to excel and become leaders without the automatic and expected ‘seniority.’ … This group of girls is going to be able to play together for the next three-four years, so it will be interesting to watch them grow up together on the court.”
Notes: The Defenders lost eight seniors to graduation, including several now playing at the next level. Three players with starting experience remain. Last season marked Bryan Station’s first district volleyball title in a decade.
Tates Creek
Coach: Morgan Contino.
Last season: 23-10. 43rd District runner-up. Lost 3-2 to Great Crossing in region quarterfinals.
Standing out: Kenley Verhoven, jr., DS, all-city second team (264 digs/30 aces), “Great natural feel for the game, extremely versatile skill set.” … Kylie Simpson, jr., DS, (257 digs/20 aces), “Comfortable playing any back row position, … tough serve, great fundamentals.” … Sarah Krupp, jr., MH, (108 kills/47 blocks), “Has the ability to effectively score and block, great work ethic.” … Egypt Brooks, jr., H, (44 kills/21 blocks), “Explosive and high-powered hitter.”
Coach says: “We have a great mix of upperclassmen and newcomers. … We will be a dark horse from the outside perspective, but I am expecting we will shock some people with our talent.”
Notes: The Commodores return three players with starting experience.
Lexington Catholic
Coach: Jeff Kaufmann.
Last season: 25-10. Lost 3-1 to Tates Creek in the 43rd District semifinals.
Standing out: Mia Mashni, sr., MH, (81 kills/43 blocks). … Jackie Jarosz, sr., S/RH, (369 assists/29 aces). … Hannah Kaufmann, jr., L/DS, (163 digs/23 aces). … Izzy Romero, jr., DS/L, (189 digs/29 aces). … Addie Lowe, so, MH, (156 kills/86 blocks). … “Mia and Addie’s strengths in the middle are their blocking and quick attacking abilities. … Hannah and Izzy will provide consistency and determination. … Jackie and (junior) Allie (Kronenberg) will provide stability and a high degree of game intelligence.”
Coach says: Although we lost two Division I outside hitters …, I think that the players who are stepping into those roles have the ability to keep our outside attack as aggressive as it was last year. … I feel that we can continue to compete at a high level this season.”
Notes: LexCath won the Kentucky 2A Tournament championship, marking a sweep for the Knights in all the 2A group’s fall sports, boys’ and girls’ soccer and volleyball. Junior outside hitter Caroline Holbrook is returning from shoulder surgery.
Sayre
Coach: Leigh Nahra.
Last season: 28-8. Lost 3-0 to Douglass in the 42nd District semifinals.
Standing out: Maggie Pulliam, sr., S, (321 assists/106 digs/64 aces), “Leads with positivity.” … Katherine Croce, sr., OH, (81 kills/64 aces), “Injured at the end of the season last year, but was on track to lead in serving percentage.” … Reese Collins, jr., MB/OH, all-city second team (294 kills/53 blocks/61 aces).
Coach says: “We are fairly young. We lost nine seniors, but we are equipped with solid returners.”
Notes: Collins set Sayre’s single season kills record in 2021. The Spartans have three returners with starting experience for a team that won the 11th Region All “A” Classic.
Lafayette
Coach: Chris Langston.
Last season: 14-18. Lost 3-0 to Dunbar in the 43rd District semifinals.
Standing out: Alaina Scott, sr., MH, “Will be relied on to mentor the younger players.” … Narrah Wilson, jr., MH. … Ashley Cawood, so., DS.
Coach says: “We should be better at the pins and our setting will be much improved. We have some talented young defensive specialists who will compete every night.
Notes: Lafayette did not report 2021 individual statistics to the KHSAA. The Generals have two returning starters.
Lexington Christian
Coach: Kirby Willoughby.
Last season: 10-19.
Standing out: Lauran Barber, sr., L, all-city honorable mention (329 digs/42 aces), “Never gives up on a ball and loves to be on the court.” … Abbey Potter, jr., DS, (110 digs/24 aces), “Does all the little things you want your leader to do.” … Makenna Hurst, jr., S, (519 assists/103 digs/17 aces), “Sets high expectations for herself and works hard to meet them.”
Coach says: “Our team is eager to compete. They want to be consistent day in and day out, … make a postseason run and compete for every point.”
Notes: LCA last made the region tournament in 2011 when it was part of the old 42nd District. It defeated Lexington Catholic for its second straight district title.
Henry Clay
Coach: Dale Grupe.
Last season: 6-30. Lost 3-1 to Sayre in 42nd District first round.
Standing out: Catherine Carlos, jr., MB, all-city honorable mention (106 kills/69 blocks), “Primed to be an impact player this season.” … Sunny Hilliard, jr., OH, (108 kills), “Second-leading attacker last season.” … Kathryn Urbanek, jr., MB, (29 kills/35 blocks), “Came on strong last year.” … Corynne Caldwell, so., S, (78 assists), “Set for a major part of the season against very good competition.”
Coach says: “We like our chances. … We feel like we have great depth this season with 14 players ready to contribute. … Our goal is to be ready at the end of the season to compete for a district and regional title and earn a trip to state.”
Notes: Seniors Abby Cahill and Maci Farmer played nearly every set last season and Grupe expects “great leadership and play from them and fellow seniors Casey Wells and Sydney Shelby as the Blue Devils look to return to prominence.
The biggest games
Here’s a look at what should be some of the best games for Lexington teams this season. Complete volleyball schedules, including start times and scores, can be found at KHSAA.org.
Monday: Ryle at Dunbar; Sayre at Henry Clay.
Tuesday: Bryan Station at Lexington Catholic; North Oldham at Tates Creek; Great Crossing at Lafayette.
Thursday: Great Crossing at Dunbar; Tates Creek at West Jessamine.
Aug. 23: Dunbar at North Oldham; Notre Dame at Douglass.
Aug. 25: Tates Creek at Douglass.
Aug. 30: Dunbar at Douglass; Henry Clay at Lafayette.
Sept. 1: Dunbar at Bryan Station; Lexington Catholic at West Jessamine; Sayre at Douglass.
Sept. 5: Lexington Catholic vs. TBA at Western Hills in the Kentucky 2A State Tournament.
Sept. 6: Lafayette at Tates Creek; Henry Clay at Dunbar.
Sept. 7: Tates Creek at Dunbar.
Sept. 8: Lexington Catholic at Tates Creek.
Sept. 10: LCA and Sayre compete in All “A” Classic region tourney at Frankfort.
Sept. 13: Dunbar at West Jessamine; Bryan Station at Henry Clay; Lafayette at Lexington Catholic.
Sept. 15: Male at Dunbar.
Sept. 16-17: All “A” Classic State Tournament at EKU.
Sept. 20: Manual at Dunbar; West Jessamine at Douglass; Tates Creek at Lexington Christian.
Sept. 22: Lexington Catholic at Dunbar; Douglass at Henry Clay.
Sept. 27: Dunbar at Lafayette.
Sept. 28: Sayre at Scott County.
Sept. 29: Lexington Catholic at Douglass; Lexington Christian at Lafayette.
Oct. 5: Dunbar at Sacred Heart.
Oct. 11: Dunbar at Assumption; Douglass at Bryan Station; Great Crossing at Tates Creek; Henry Clay at West Jessamine.
KVCA Preseason Top 25
The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association released its preseason poll for the 2022 season on Aug. 11. First-place votes in parentheses. 11th Region teams in bold.
1. Assumption (17); 2. Sacred Heart (1); 3. Mercy (5); 4. Paul Laurence Dunbar (2); 5. McCracken County; 6. St. Henry (9); 7. Notre Dame; 8. Central Hardin; 9. Frederick Douglass; 10. Manual; 11. Bowling Green; 12. Elizabethtown; 13. Male; 14. West Jessamine; 15. Ryle; 16. Cooper; 17. Great Crossing; 18. Greenwood; 19. Louisville Holy Cross; 20. North Oldham; 21. Covington Holy Cross; 22. Presentation; 23. Taylor County; 24. Ballard; 25. Oldham County.
Poll conducted and distributed by the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association. Voting for this week’s poll ended Thursday, Aug. 11.
