Two Boone County volleyball programs open the 2026 season ranked among Kentucky's best, with Conner's Charlotte Patton giving the Hebron school a legitimate weapon in the race for a 9th Region title.

The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association placed Conner at No. 17 and Ryle at No. 18 in its preseason top 25, according to the Northern Kentucky Tribune. Both programs begin play the week of Aug. 17.

Patton, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, is the area's only returning first-team all-state player. She finished 15th in the state in kills per set (4.91) last season, racking up 511 total kills in her first year playing outside hitter under Conner coach Doug Rabe. As a freshman, she posted 296 kills from the middle.

"I don't think it puts pressure on me," Patton said of her all-state status. "I think it just helps me realize I need to show up in some sort of way for our team."

Patton spent the summer playing for the Tri-State Elite club team, which placed fifth in the 16-under bracket at the AAU national championships in Florida. College recruiters spoke with her between matches.

The Cougars want more. They finished 26-10 last season before falling to St. Henry 3-0 in the opening round of the 9th Region tournament, where Patton put down 17 kills in her final match of the year.

Conner returns both setters from that squad. Shylyn Koerber and Alexis Kampsen combined for 909 assists, with Koerber also contributing 265 kills, 282 digs and 58 service aces. Koerber has committed to Fairmont State University in West Virginia.

The 9th Region remains a gauntlet. Notre Dame (No. 3) has won seven of the last 10 region titles, and St. Henry (No. 13) claimed the other three. Notre Dame reached the state championship match last season before falling to Louisville Assumption 17-15 in the fifth set.

Ryle, based in Union, earned the No. 18 ranking, though specific returning stats for the Raiders were not available. Both Boone County programs open their seasons the week of Aug. 17, with specific opponents yet to be announced.

Patton said she wants to increase her kill total but added she is focused on something bigger: "I'm not really worried about the number as long as we go out there as a team and win some games."