Hounds, Colonels to once again battle atop region’s volleyball scene

One of the most fierce rivalries in all of 13th Region sports is set to pick up right where it left off last year when the Corbin Lady Hounds and the defending region champion Whitley County Lady Colonels get their 2023 seasons underway next week.

The Lady Colonels finished their 2022 campaign with 25 wins and 15 losses, winning 50th District and 13th Region championship titles and picking up a 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-14) victory over Wolfe County in the first round of the KHSAA state championship tournament. The team fell in the state tourney quarterfinals to Notre Dame, 3-0.

The Lady Hounds, meanwhile, finished 2022 with 21 wins and 11 losses. Despite besting Whitley County twice in the regular season, they fell to the Lady Colonels in both the 50th District and 13th Region finals in a pair of competitive contests.

Either Whitley County or Corbin has come out on top of the region in volleyball since 2016, with the Lady Colonels advancing to state in 2016 and 2022, and the Lady Hounds making the trip in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. With both squads returning the bulk of their rosters from one year ago, you have to assume that it will likely come down to these two rivals once again when all is said and done.

Corbin is scheduled to open their season on Tuesday, Aug. 15, when they host Barbourville. Whitley County is scheduled to be on the road that same evening in Harlan County.

Lady Jackets, Lady Cats eyeing trip to this year’s All ‘A’ state tourney

The Williamsburg Lady Jackets managed to secure a 13th Region All “A” crown in 2022, defeating Harlan, Jackson County and Barbourville to earn a spot in the All “A” State Classic at Eastern Kentucky University. Things unfortunately did not go their way once they arrived in Richmond, going 0-4 against Paintsville, Presentation, University Heights and Wolfe County, but making it to the big dance was an achievement in itself, and one that they are hoping to repeat again in 2023.

Lynn Camp was unable to secure a victory last season, but their overall best showing did come in the 13th Region All “A” tourney, with them winning a set against Middlesboro before eventually falling, 2-1. It was the only set that the Lady Cats would win in 2022.

Things could prove to be interesting when it comes to these two teams this fall, though, with Williamsburg being tasked with filling crucial spots on the court after losing some key players to graduation, and Lynn Camp bringing everyone back from a year ago. The Lady Jackets will certainly still be considered the favorites in this matchup coming into the season, but it is not inconceivable that the Lady Cats could turn the tables on their Class A foes.

We will know much more about both teams when the Lady Jackets host their very own All “A” Invitational event on Saturday, Aug. 19. Teams scheduled to participate include: Lynn Camp, Harlan, Buckhorn, Hazard, Campbellsville, Owsley County and Jackson County.

This year’s 13th Region All “A” Classic will take place early next month. The News Journal will provide additional details at that time.