After a commanding victory over St. Henry in the 9th Region volleyball final, Notre Dame Academy is now focused on securing their 11th state title in the KHSAA state tournament. The Pandas wasted no time, returning to practice less than 20 hours after clinching their fourth consecutive regional championship and 39th overall. They triumphed in a tightly contested match, breaking the deadlock with a decisive 15-6 win in the final set.
The atmosphere during practice sessions on Thursday and Friday was notably upbeat. Senior Audrey Dyas, who has committed to the University of Toledo and was named the 9th Region tournament MVP, shared insights on their training. “We worked on staying aggressive behind the service line, serve-receive, and our hitting. It’s an honor to wear the Notre Dame uniform, so our team works really hard, and we are excited.”
The team is led by four seniors, including Lizzy Larkins and Grace Portwood. Portwood, the team’s leading scorer and a commit to the University of Indianapolis, along with Dyas, who leads in blocks, are pivotal players. They are joined by other promising talents, including Larkins and senior Katie Zwick, both committed to Ohio Dominican, as well as junior Teagan Kondik from Cincinnati. Sophomore Makayla Roose is also a key player, attracting several collegiate offers.
Co-head coach Hannah Colvin emphasized the importance of resilience, noting the challenges of losing seven seniors from the previous season. “A lot of girls had to step up,” she said. One significant change this season was filling the libero position after losing Julia Grace to Xavier. “Dara Jackson embraced that role. This group has had to really improve to win the region.”
As they prepare for the state tournament, Notre Dame Academy (29-7) will face West Jessamine, the 12th Region champion, in a first-round match scheduled for Monday at 19:00. West Jessamine (28-11) has not defeated the Pandas in their two previous matchups during the state tournament in 2020 and 2023. The winner of this match will advance to the state quarterfinals on November 7, 2023, at George Rogers Clark, where the semifinals and finals will occur on November 8.
Colvin believes her team possesses the talent and determination needed for a successful run in the state tournament. “For any team that gets to state, the goal is to win,” she stated. Yet, she remains cautious, emphasizing that they are taking nothing for granted. This mindset is crucial as they might encounter powerful rivals such as Assumption, the two-time defending champion and currently ranked No. 1 in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association state poll.
The rivalry between Notre Dame and Assumption has been intense, with Assumption winning a record 24 state titles—more than double Notre Dame’s total. The Rockets have dominated recent encounters, winning 22 consecutive matches against Kentucky competition. They swept Notre Dame 3-0 in their regular-season matchup this year. However, the narrative has shifted recently; since Colvin and co-head coach Madison Salkowski joined forces as assistants, Notre Dame has found ways to consistently challenge Assumption, even defeating them six times over the last 11 encounters.
As the co-head coaches, Colvin and Salkowski, who are longtime friends and 2016 graduates of Notre Dame Academy, bring a wealth of experience to their roles. They have known each other since childhood and share a unique rapport, which they believe contributes to their coaching success. “I think it’s been pretty successful because they both specialize in an area,” Portwood remarked, highlighting their collaborative coaching style.
Despite the challenges, the Pandas remain focused on their goal. “We have to keep working hard,” Colvin noted. “We’re winning the serve, and I like our passing game. We’re getting teams out of system. I like that we’re winning gritty rallies. We have an all-around strong team, very well balanced.”
The four seniors share a strong belief in their team’s potential. Portwood expressed confidence, saying, “I think our team goes into every match with confidence. If we get to play Assumption again, we can give them a battle, even win. But we have to get there first.”
The upcoming matches promise excitement as the Pandas push forward in their pursuit of title number 11. Whether they face Assumption again in the tournament remains to be seen, but the determination and spirit within the team are palpable.
