After an exciting week of district volleyball tournaments in Kentucky, the regional brackets are set.
Simon Kenton and Walton-Verona secured their spots in the Eighth Region tournament. The Ninth Region figures to be as competitive as ever with contenders lined up evenly across the bracket. Bishop Brossart is viewed as the favorite in the 10th Region.
But surprises are sure to pop up in arguably the best, most action-packed week of the season.
Before first serves next week, here's a look at the three regional tournaments involving Northern Kentucky teams.
Ninth Region volleyball tournament schedule
First round:
- Newport Central Catholic vs. Beechwood, 6 p.m. Oct. 26
- Conner vs. Dixie Heights, 8 p.m. Oct. 26
- Notre Dame vs. Highlands, 6 p.m. Oct. 27
- St. Henry vs. Ryle, 8 p.m. Oct. 27
Semifinals
- 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Oct. 28
Championship
- 7 p.m. Oct. 29
Best first-round matchup in the Ninth Region tournament
St. Henry and Ryle are meeting in the regional bracket for the third time in the last four seasons. Their last meeting, in the 2024 semifinals, was a five-set
thriller that saw the Crusaders advance to the championship. The Raiders returned the favor in the 2025 regular season with their own five-set win.
While Ryle is just 14-12 and got swept by St. Henry on Sept. 22, the Raiders have the pieces, plus an experienced coach in Tasha Tanner-Lovins, to compete with the Crusaders.
The first round is about as balanced as it could be this year. It was made possible by Conner beating Ryle to win its first ever 33rd District title, as well as Newport Central Catholic taking down Highlands to win its first 36th District title since 2016.
2026 KHSAA Ninth Region high school volleyball championship prediction
Beechwood has the easiest path to the championship. Playing in the top half, the Tigers already own sweeps of NCC and Conner this season. They looked like the regional favorites before the start of the postseason, but after getting swept by Notre Dame in the district final, they'll be hungry for revenge.
In the bottom half of the bracket, look for a heavyweight fight between Notre Dame and St. Henry in the semifinals. The Crusaders notably ended the Pandas' 59-game winning streak against regional opponents this season, but NDA has been playing well lately. The Pandas have won seven of their last nine and were competitive against top-ranked Assumption.
The Crusaders are one of just three in-state teams to win a set against those Rockets and their best, most recent win was a five-set triumph over Cincinnati Ursuline.
The Pandas will earn a rubber match with the Tigers.
The Ninth Region champion will host the 10th Region winner in the first round of the state tournament at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. It could be an all-Northern Kentucky matchup.
Simon Kenton, Walton-Verona begin Eighth Region tournament Oct. 25
The Lady Pioneers and Bearcats played two thrilling matchups this season. Walton-Verona earned its first win over its rival since 2017 with a four-set triumph on Oct. 1. Simon Kenton got back on top with a five-set win in the 32nd District championship.
SK opens its tournament at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 with a favorable matchup against Trimble County. It would then most likely face North Oldham in the semifinals. The Lady Mustangs are ranked in the top 10 in the state and have had the Lady Pioneers' number in the regional tournament, winning nine of 11 matchups at that stage since 2012.
Walton-Verona also has a winnable first-round match against Eminence, even though the Bearcats lost to the Warriors in the All "A" regional tournament on Sept. 5. Should WV advance to the semifinals, it will face either Shelby County or North Oldham.
Bishop Brossart favored to win the 10th Region
The Lady 'Stangs have had a historic season and will now host their regional tournament. They are 31-3 so far and 25 of their wins have been sweeps.
Brossart begins its regional journey against Nicholas County, a team it has never lost to, at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. After a day off, the Lady 'Stangs should return to the court to face the winner of Bracken County (22-13) and Paris (15-10) in the semifinal.
George Rogers Clark could present the biggest challenge to Brossart. The Cardinals will face Calvary Christian, a team they beat in the 2025 semifinals, in the first round at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. Calvary Christian (23-7) is making just its third regional tournament appearance in school history. The Cougars have talent all over the court with Megan Arthur, Madison Stelzer, Annabel Leach and Natalia McGlynn.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Breaking down the 2026 Ninth Region volleyball tournament draw
