Beechwood volleyball swept Conner at all three levels Wednesday, Sept. 23, with the freshman, junior varsity and varsity squads each picking up wins on the road.
The varsity Tigers beat Conner 3-0, extending a winning streak that began during their run to a second straight All "A" state championship. The program announced the results on X, calling it a great night for Tiger volleyball.
The Fort Mitchell school's climb continued Thursday, Sept. 24, when the program posted updated rankings: No. 5 in Kentucky, No. 4 in Greater Cincinnati and No. 2 in the 9th Region. Beechwood entered the week at No. 4 in the Cincinnati Enquirer's Greater Cincinnati power rankings, which noted the Tigers had already faced five teams ranked in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association top 25.
The Tigers entered 18-1. Their lone loss came against top-ranked Louisville Assumption on Aug. 22.
Four days before the Conner sweep, head coach Matt Long's squad captured the All "A" state title at the Owensboro Convention Center, beating Louisville Holy Cross 25-12, 23-25, 25-10 in the championship match on Saturday, Sept. 19. Beechwood went 6-0 at the tournament, dropping just one set across six matches, as first reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Senior Isabel O'Brien earned tournament MVP honors. Macy Armstrong, Skylr Estep, Rachel Lewandowski and freshman Kennedy Sturgeon joined her on the all-tournament team.
"We want to get to regionals and win two rounds versus one. And if we get through regionals, we look at the downstate teams in Assumption and Mercy and Sacred Heart. We're on our way. … We've got a lot of work to do because it's not a cakewalk, either," Long told the Cincinnati Enquirer after the state title win on Sept. 19.
The Tigers had little time to rest. Beechwood faced Cooper in a tri-match Thursday, Sept. 24, the second tri-match in two days for the program. A trip to Seton follows Saturday, Sept. 26, with Bishop Brossart visiting Tuesday, Sept. 29. A district and 9th Region matchup at Boone County is set for Saturday, Oct. 10.
