Sports & recreation
September 17, 2009
Community Recorder
A9
UK recruit O’Conner focused on season jweber@nky.com
Lauren O’Conner is focused on helping the Scott volleyball team have an outstanding season. The towering junior hitter was recently named Kentucky’s state player of the week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
She led Northern Kentucky in kills as the Eagles flew off to an outstanding 19-2 start to the season. “It was exciting,” she said of the AVCA award. “We’ve had some good wins. We’re playing really well. We have a really good chemistry.” O’Conner has verbally committed to play at the next level for the University
of Kentucky. “I always wanted to go to UK. It’s my dream school,” she said. “Everything is perfect there – the coaches and the girls.” O’Conner and the Eagles won their home-court September Slam tourney for the first time in several years Sept. 5. They beat tough regional rivals such as Conner, Highlands and Simon
Lightning leave opponents blue By James Weber jweber@nky.com
This was the first year for a full-fledged All “A” Classic state tournament in volleyball. Villa Madonna Academy head coach Sandi Kitchen said her team should learn a lot from the championship atmosphere at Eastern Kentucky University Sept. 12. “I’m encouraged by the enthusiasm they have for this,” she said. “It’s nice to have this for volleyball.” It was also good for the Blue Lightning to have a 15-3 record heading into the All “A” tourney. They beat bigger school Conner in their last regular match before heading to Richmond. That broke a two-match losing streak to Beechwood and Highlands when Kitchen said the team came down a little from winning the All “A” regional. “We didn’t pass the ball real well,” Kitchen said. “That is the main skill of our team. It has to be there or we don’t go anywhere. We’re not going to overpower anybody so we have to run a skilled offense.” A big part of that offense is seniors Amy Kreutzer, Stephanie Sias and Kacy Corbit. A fourth senior, Jessica Gresham, is a libero. Sias, Corbit and junior Hannah Knochelmann are the team leaders in kills. Sophomore Jasmine Beal is among the Northern Kentucky leaders in assists. Sias was the most valuable player in the regional tourney. Kreutzer and Beal were all-tournament picks. After the state tourney, VMA will prepare for the overall postseason.
After beating Dixie Heights and Lloyd in district play, the Lightning look to be the No. 2 seed behind power St. Henry. That could lead to Villa qualifying for the Ninth Region tourney for the first time since 2000. They would likely play Dixie in a district tourney semifinal in an elimination match to get to the regional. “Dixie is strong and an up-and-coming team,” Kitchen said. “It was a battle to beat them. They have a new coach and they should improve along the way.”
FREE
750 L
JAMES WEBER/STAFF
Simon Kenton senior Kathryn Smith serves the ball during the Scott September Slam Sept. 5.
The defending Ninth Region champion Pandas lost 3-0 to Cincinnati Ursuline but have beaten Cincy foes Seton and St. Ursula leading into the Louisville Invitational Sept. 11-12.
The Colonels were one of several teams who played in both Scott’s and Highlands’ weekend tournaments in September. Dixie went 3-2 in the Scott tourney.
Holy Cross
The Indians took a 5-6 record into the Louisville Invitational and
EVERYDAY LOW PRICE
EVERYDAY LOW PRICE
The Tigers are off to a solid 62 start with impressive wins over Boone County, Ryle and Villa Madonna.
Dixie Heights
DISCOUNT
GREY GOOSE VODKA
look to build as they have no seniors on the roster.
The Cougars lost a tight match to Bishop Brossart in the 10th Region All “A” final. Kenda Anderson, Sara Boone and Samantha Victor were named to the all-tournament team.
are both s t r o n g defensively in digging O’Conner hard shots. Wagner is a setter along with Taylor Stinson. A third junior Lauren – Trame – and sophomore Erin Romito are among the regional leaders in digs with Daugherty and O’Conner.
579 Dudley Pike, Edgewood, KY (next to the new Larosa’s) • (859) 916-5400
A look at other local volleyball teams:
Calvary
other twin towering Lauren – Lauren Tibbs, whose collegiate future is in basketball. Sullivan said that although Tibbs is not a yearround volleyball player like O’Conner, she devotes her full attention to the whiteballed sport while in season. Seniors Ashley Daugherty and Kelsey Wagner are key leaders for the team, Sullivan said. She said they
Wine Tasting Coming Soon!
Other updates Beechwood
Kenton along the way. O’Conner said that was a big goal for the team heading into a similar tourney at Highlands Sept. 11-12. “Our passing has gotten a lot better,” head coach Andrea Sullivan said. “We have really emphasized that a lot. We’ve got the hitters but we’ve got to get the ball to them.” Joining O’Conner is the
Notre Dame
24 PACK CANS & BOTTLES
BUDWEISER BUD LIGHT MILLER LITE
EVERYDAY LOW PRICES!
Ménage a` Trois WINES
ANY CIGAR PURCHASE
$9.99 5 VARIETIES 750 ML
FOXBROOK WINES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!
3 for $11.99
Limited quantities, while supplies last. With coupon. Expires 9/30/09.
St. Henry
The Crusaders have lost bestof-five matches to Louisville Mercy and Sacred Heart, as well as Mt. Notre Dame. The rivalry match with Notre Dame will be at Notre Dame Sept. 24 in a potential Ninth Region tourney preview.
Simon Kenton
Senior Kathryn Smith was second in kills in Northern Kentucky. Junior Sierra Waechter is highly ranked in assists.
19 Banklick St., Florence, Kentucky
525-2166
1000 OFF
$
Right Here For 30 Years!
WE CARRY MAGNAFLOW & FLOWMASTER YOUR NEXT MUFFLER
10000 OFF
$
Must present coupon
Stop in... Let’s talk custom
SERVING NORTHERN KENTUCKY FOR OVER 40 YEARS. www.tomrechtin.com
Any Infinity Air Purifier installed by 10-31-09 Not good with any other coupon or offer
859-261-8269
KY M00135
Start a new one this season at NKY.com. It’s the place to view all the action for your school and team. Get team news, schedules, scores and stats, photos and videos, and more. Only at NKY.com.
Visit NKY.com/highschoolsports or search: high school sports While you’re there, sign up for mobile alerts of the latest scores or text PREP to 513859.
0000354657
By James Weber