Three area high schools enter the 2026 Kentucky volleyball season ranked in the state's top 25, with Notre Dame Academy chasing a state title after last fall's five-set championship loss to Louisville Assumption.

The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association released its preseason poll with Notre Dame at No. 3, St. Henry at No. 13 and Beechwood tied for No. 25. The 9th Region placed five teams total in the rankings, with Conner at No. 17 and Ryle at No. 18, according to the Northern Kentucky Tribune.

Season-opening matches begin Aug. 17.

Notre Dame: 56-match regional streak, state-title hunger

The Pandas went 32-8 last season, swept the 35th District at 6-0 and won their fourth consecutive 9th Region title, their 39th overall. Notre Dame's 56-match regional winning streak dates to the 2021 9th Region tournament final against St. Henry, according to LINK nky.

Last fall's state championship match against Louisville Assumption ended 17-15 in the fifth set. Assumption enters 2026 as the KVCA's unanimous No. 1.

Senior outside hitter Teagan Kondik, a 6-foot-1 University of Cincinnati commit, returns after recording 310 kills and 30 blocks as a starter on that runner-up squad. She earned KVCA all-state honorable mention.

"Volleyball has had a lot of success," Notre Dame co-coach Hannah Colvin told LINK nky. "There is a lot of pride in the team."

Junior Dara Jackson (team leader in digs), junior Ellie Osterkamp (second in assists) and sophomore Makayla Roose (second in blocks) also return.

St. Henry: Region's No. 2 seed

The Crusaders claimed three of the last 10 9th Region titles and open 2026 tied with Beechwood for No. 2 in the KVCA regional preseason poll. Libero Kenadi Sieg, a second-team all-state selection last season, anchors the back row. She has committed to the University of Cincinnati.

Beechwood: Defending All 'A' state champs

Coach Matt Long, the reigning 9th Region coach of the year, brings back a squad that reached the regional semifinals, won the 9th Region All 'A' Classic and captured the All 'A' state tournament title. Outside hitter Isabel O'Brien earned second-team all-state honors and has been recruited by Bellarmine University in Louisville. Setter Skylar Estep, an honorable mention all-state pick, will play at the University of Virginia-Wise.

As we reported July 25, O'Brien, Sieg, Kondik and Estep all earned KVCA all-state recognition last season.

Opening week

Notre Dame opens Aug. 18 at Conner and travels to Highlands on Aug. 19. All three ranked programs will be in action during the first week of the season.