Despite significant losses from last year’s 2nd Region championship squad, the Caldwell County volleyball team has been tabbed No. 1 in the region in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association’s preseason rankings.
The Lady Tigers have routinely been rated among the best program’s in the 2nd Region.
Caldwell has more wins all-time than any other school in the region, posting a 496-197-2 mark since starting volleyball in 2001.
The Lady Tigers were 19-6 last season. They defeated Madisonville-North Hopkins in both the 7th District and 2nd Region championship matches before bowing to 1st Region champ McCracken County in the first round of the state tournament.
Caldwell’s losses to graduation included two-time 2nd Region Player of the Year and all-stater Olivia Mitchell. The big hitter is now at Georgetown College.
Caldwell has captured six regional championships out of 10 trips to the 2nd Region final.
Meanwhile, Henderson County owns more region titles than Caldwell with eight in 11 trips to the championship match.
The Lady Colonels are ranked second in coaches’ regional poll.
Henderson went 8-11 last season but battled COVID-19 issues that forced the team to forfeit the 6th District championship match. The Lady Colonels then fell to Caldwell in the first round of the regional tournament.
Madisonville-North Hopkins is third. The Lady Maroons went 17-6 a year ago. But four of those losses came to Caldwell, including the regional championship match.
Christian County is fourth after an 8-12 showing last year. The Lady Colonels fell in the first round of the regional to Crittenden County.
University Heights Academy is fifth. The Lady Blazers went 7-13 a year ago and won the 8th District championship before falling to Madisonville in the first round of the regional tourney.
In the 1st Region, defending champion McCracken County is ranked No. 1. Ballard Memorial and Paducah Tilghman are tied for second, followed by Marshall County and Graves County.
Daviess County captured the 3rd Region crown in 2020 and is ranked No. 1 in that region in the KVCA preseason poll. Grayson County is second, followed by Breckinridge County, Owensboro and Ohio County.
Defending 4th Region champion Greenwood is No. 1 in that region. Bowling Green is second with Logan County third. South Warren and Warren East are tied for fourth.
Greenwood, McCracken and Daviess made the state preseason Top 25 at Nos. 8, 10 and 22, respectively.
Assumption High School of Louisville enters the season ranked No. 1. Rounding out the Top 5 overall are Mercy, Sacred Heart, Notre Dame and Ryle.
