By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Like leaves falling from the trees, Notre Dame and St. Henry meeting in the championship final of the 9th Region volleyball tournament has become a common occurrence in late October.
Dixie Heights junior Kamryn Webb, left, tries to bump the ball over two Notre Dame blockers during a 9th Region semifinal match. (Photo by Bob Jackson)
The two teams will square off in the title match for the 11th time in 15 years at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dayton High School with the winner advancing to next week’s state tournament in Louisville.
In the regional semifinals played Wednesday night, Notre Dame defeated Dixie Heights, 3-2, and St. Henry knocked off Cooper, 3-1, to set up the rematch between the area’s premier volleyball programs.
Notre Dame has won six of the last 10 regional championship matches between the two teams, but St. Henry defeated the Pandas in last year’s final that went five sets. The teams played two matches against each other this season and Notre Dame won both of them.
Campbell County will play Harrison County in the 10th Region volleyball final at 6:30 p.m Thursday at Campbell County. If the Camels win that match, they’ll make their first trip to the 16-team state tournament since 2013.
Three regional finals in girls soccer also involve local teams. On Thursday, Notre Dame will play Highlands for the 9th Region title and Simon Kenton will face South Oldham in the 8th Region final. The 10th Region championship match between Scott and George Rogers Clark is set for Saturday.
Northern Kentucky boys soccer teams will compete in four regional semifinal matches on Thursday. The 9th Region match-ups are Highlands vs. Cooper and Covington Catholic vs. Dixie Heights. In the 10th Region, it will be Brossart vs. Pendleton County and Campbell County vs. Montgomery County.
A complete schedule of volleyball and soccer regional playoff matches is listed below.
Volleyball
9th Region at Dayton
Wednesday
Notre Dame def. Dixie Heights, 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 25-11, 17-25, 15-11)
St. Henry def. Cooper , 3-1 (25-15, 26-24, 16-25, 23-22)
Thursday
Championship: Notre Dame vs. St. Henry, 7 p.m.
8th Region at Simon Kenton
Wednesday
North Oldham def. Simon Kenton, 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16)
Oldham County def. Walton-Verona, 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-7, 25-18)
Thursday
Championship: North Oldham vs. Oldham County, 6:30 p.m.
10th Region at Campbell County
Wednesday
Campbell County def. George Rogers Clark, 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-16)
Harrison County def. Montgomery County, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-16)
Thursday
Championship: Campbell County vs. Harrison County, 6:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
9th Region at Ryle
Wednesday
Highlands 2, St. Henry 0
Notre Dame 1, Newport Central Catholic 0
Thursday
Championship: Highlands vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
10th Region at Scott
Wednesday
George Rogers Clark 1, Campbell County 0
Scott 8, Montgomery County 0
Saturday
Championship: George Rogers Clark vs. Scott, 12 p.m.
8th Region at Simon Kenton
Tuesday
South Oldham 3, Anderson County 0
Simon Kenton 1, Oldham County 0
Thursday
Championship: South Oldham vs. Simon Kenton, 7 p.m.
Boys soccer
9th Region at Covington Catholic
Thursday
Highlands vs. Cooper, 5:30 p.m.
Covington Catholic vs. Dixie Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 1 p.m.
10th Region at Pendleton County
Thursday
Pendleton County vs. Brossart, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Montgomery County, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
8th Region at Collins
Wednesday
Oldham County 4, Simon Kenton 0
South Oldham 2, Grant County 1
Thursday
Championship: Oldham County vs. South Oldham, 7 p.m.
