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Congrats CCH! Good luck on Saturday! Bring it home!!!

Gotta go with the Pandas. It's their time. This senior class has consistently beaten Assumption and Mercy on both the Freshman and JV level and in club. They also have wins vs Assumption this year. Mercy is a monkey they need to get off their back (last victory in 2012 I believe). I hate to say it but the question mark for me vs Assumption will be the coaching. Ron and his staff out coached Buck and staff at the season finale in Park Hills. Ron is not afraid to sub if a player is not performing and I just don't see that with Buck. He seems set on a line up and hasn't really changed it in the two seasons he has been at NDA. Ron is also great in the State Tournament...hard to argue with his success. Buck is young and learning but this is his last shot for many years. Hope he doesn't let it slip away. With regard to Mercy....I have only seen them once and their offense was fast and effective as well as their ball control. Their middle play was not as consistently strong as Assumption's so I think NDA matches up better with them. Coaching should be even with Mercy having a new coach as well but I think he has more experience than NDA. I believe he retained some staff from the past few seasons and that always helps with transition. That being said, I agree with other posters about Henry Clay on Friday....I think the Pandas will have their hands full but will win that match in 4. Scott should not be a challenge in the second round. Bottom line is NDA supporting cast of Salkowski, Knaley, Draud and Hardig need to bring some offense to the table. The ball control and setting has been consistently good the last few weeks but we need some offense out of someone other than Hentz. Would love to see Hentz end her storied career with a State Championship and I know she will do everything in her power to make it happen. Go Pandas!

NDA was 'caught' in 2012 and the assistant coach had to sit off the bench the first round of state tournament.

Bylaw 15 under Sportsmanship "Sec. 2) ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT/VIDEOTAPING a) It shall also be considered a violation of this rule if any school or school representative(s) uses or allows the use of illegal equipment which gains a competitive advantage in the contest and which is expressly prohibited by the rules adopted for that sport. b) This shall also include the on-site recording of past or future opponents in any electronic form without the expressed consent of all involved teams. c) A violation of this provision may result in penalization by the Commissioner’s offi ce in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw and in accordance with KHSAA Bylaw 27." The way I understand it, only if your team/daughter/son is participating in the contest are you allowed to videotape. This bylaw seems to confirm that.

Maybe a website is not the 'norm' but certainly YouTube channels as well as the player's club posting links, etc is very normal in volleyball recruiting. I think it depends on the individual's goals. If he wants to stay local (within 4 hours) he probably doesn't need anything like this but if he wants national exposure, he needs to market himself. I applaud him and his parents for doing what is necessary to accomplish his goals.

Ok well then all I can do is hope that the girls step up and play. I know they will do their best and leave it all on the floor!

I agree regarding the coach's polls...they are a terrible way to seed anything. (example in volleyball NDA is ranked in top 20 in the entire country but 5th in our own state in the coach's poll). There is a way to do this and that is to select a committee of people that have no interest in the sport other than they are supporters (club soccer coaches, parents of former players who are educated, former coaches, current/former officials, etc). Have the committe members commit to seeing all of the teams in the top 10 at least 3 times in a season (coach's poll Top 10 because the real top 4 teams are usually someplace in the top 10) and truly rank them. The KHSAA takes the rankings of the committee and averages them and, from that, should have the top 4 seeds. Put them as you would in a truly seeded bracket (#1/#4 in upper bracket and #2/#4 in lower) and then blind draw the rest of the brackets. Problems occur if one of the Top 4 seeds get beaten in their region (volleyball top 4 are Assumption, Mercy, NDA, Sacred Heart with Assumption and Sacred Heart being the same region...this occurs every year so a solution to volleyball's problem with the blind draw would have to be a little different than soccer's) but I am not sure if that is a problem with soccer?? This is just one idea I have, I am sure there are others with ideas on this. The problem is the KHSAA doesn't care. Just very unfortunate that the soccer state championship game is not truly a test of the two best teams. I know upsets occur and if a team that is blind drawn into the tournament beats one of the top 4 seeds then, by all means, they should advance. But in the current system, two of the top teams (from what I read because I don't know) played in the quarter finals (SHA vs NDA) and the winner will face much lesser competitition, as opposed to greater, as they move towards the championship match.

NDA needs to do something about the lack of offensive production. It's a real concern that I thought they could play out of, but against a weak region they were not able to get the offense going. Passing, back row defense, setting and serving all remain solid. Not sure why Stephenson remains on the bench after her break out performance vs Assumption. Brought the Pandas back from the dead...and don't think she has seen the court since. It would be different if those in front of her were playing "lights out" but anyone watching can see that isn't happening and stats support the claim as well. Is there anyone on the bench who can play middle? I have not seen anyone but the two who are playing now but I only attend the "big" games. Both middles offensive production has gone down, although Hardig does seem to be holding her own in spurts. Seems someone sitting over there may be able to come in and provide a spark? Really, really hoping for a Good showing next weekend!

Congrats to the soccer Pandas on a great year! It seems the KHSAA takes the "cheap way out" more often than not. Too bad the schools don't rise up and demand changes to the "blind draw" method. My only concern is if they would seed, they would depend on Coach's poll instead of a committee truly doing research and getting at least the top 4 correct. I am not a soccer person but I do know NDA has been a constant in the state tourney for the past few years. They are always in the mix. The blind draw seems to bite them as much as it does the volleyball Pandas. Just seems so unfair these girls end up T-5th with their quarterfinal loss as opposed to State Runner Up if teams are seeded and seeds hold. Good luck to SHA. Too bad about their volleyball team, ranked 9th in the country, and not even in their own state tournament because of the messed up playoff system in place.

I have a lot to say about the Pandas but only would like to ask about the above comment about the seniors 4 trips to state. The only current senior that was listed on the state roster as a freshman was Morgan Hentz. In my memory only 5 freshman have been on varsity at NDA and had a role (Robinson, Schmahl, Thelen, Ogle and Hentz). Last season Stephenson and Sears were both rostered but didn't play. Sorry but I think your post is misleading. This senior class has plenty of accomplishments to stand on without skewing the facts. Probably an honest mistake on the OP's part but thought it warranted clarification. This is most of the senior class second time at state.

Neither you nor the coach. It was directed at Parents for spreading this nonsense. Play club - I guess she can say that. As a coach I wouldn't say that, just cut them next season if they aren't good enough. But she has the right to say it. It's her program. But to say they have to play for Crush is just not true. I don't need to check with the 6 I know because I know the clubs they are playing for and the clubs won't give them releases because the high school coach said they had to play at a certain place. Club is a business and they signed contracts in July, you can't just walk away from those. The region and USA/JVA won't allow it.

Again, hog wash...I don't know about Crush but NKYVC, NKJV, Elevation and any other club worth their salt all do invites at 15's and older and don't even have tryouts. It's a little late for the coach to try to tell them where to play and the coach knows this. I know 6 varsity players from Coooer who are committed to clubs since July. Again...this is another example of parents trying to cause trouble for a coach who basically volunteers her time. Get over yourselves and let the kids play the game.

I don't know the Cooper coaching staff from Adam but I find all of this hog wash. Cooper looked to have a new setter running the floor and it made all the difference in the world. I guess the other players put the line up sheet in and not the coach? I don't know when the setting change happened but it was a good one.

Yes....Jenna Schreiver.

Back in 1980 when volleyball was first sanctioned in KY, Lori Erpenbeck played for Villa Madonna. She went on to UK on a rare athletic scholarship and played for 4 years. She was in the Olympic pipeline but (I don't think) never made the final roster. She was a really big deal back then. Of course, she is probably more well known for role in the housing scandal that involved her brother Bill and father Tony in which she wore a wire and acted to help investigators. She served a year in prison for her role in the crimes. With regard to volleyball, I think Hentz is the biggest deal from No. KY since as far as on a National scale. I know NDA has had several Olympic level swimmers in the recent past but am not familiar with who. But, I agree with the OP, I got to see Lori Erpenbeck play back then and I will never forget it. I feel the same way when I watch Hentz. Players like her don't come along very often. Go see and take your daughters with you (even if they aren't volleyball players). She is an incredible athlete and emulates everything that is good about high school level sports.

St. Henry and Cooper are close to each other as #2's but will not present a challenge to NDA. NDA should win Region 9 without dropping a set. The order in my opinion NDA Cooper/St. Henry Ryle Beechwood NCC Villa Highlands

Why is the volleyball board so sensitive go read Boys Soccer. They are critical of play on almost every thread, same with Football. He didn't say anything about her "personally" just his opinion on her ability. I have watched her a long time and agree she was over rated. Great athlete but not a great volleyball player. She never put the time in that is necessary to develop into a great setter. Almost all high level (SEC) setters are not dual sport athletes. Setting is too specialized and thousands of reps are needed to perform at that level. Ellie was too busy playing basketball to develop. She should've been a hitter and that is what I predict she will do wherever she ends up.

Who is out for Ryle and what is the extent of injury?

Anna Zweibel setter for Sacred Heart in Louisville. Incredible athlete and committed to her craft (setting).

Saw this coming. Not a surprise at all.

I I think (hope)NDA learned some things.

Either way Buck has never been thrown out of a game for anything. NDA Basketball coach did for, as Clyde pointed out, 3 Technicals. Unless you are absolutely positive about something it should not be posted.I know that eliminates a lot of posts and posters who spread gossip but to say a coach got removed for three matches, when it is a lie, is malicious.

That was the NDA BASKETBALL coach, not volleyball.

It is truly a great time to be a volleyball fan in KY. I have not seen this much parity since the early 90's. Love it.

These are good points but Morgan is a seasoned athlete with a lot of experience. She carried the load for her club team this past season and would play just as strongly on day 3 as she would on day 1. Hentz will show up tonight. The bigger concern is the offensive output of the rest of the team. Tonight is important but if NDA loses (And learns from the loss) it only helps when it matters in November. I know everyone is hyped up for this match but let's keep it in perspective- it's just another step in the journey.