Conner swept Dixie Heights 3-0 on Monday to reach the 9th Region volleyball final four for the third time in five years.
The Cougars earned the win at Dayton High School, the tournament's host site, according to the Northern Kentucky Tribune. Conner carries a 26-12 record into Wednesday's semifinal against Beechwood at 6 p.m.
The matchup will be a tough one. Beechwood enters at 34-3, and the Tigers beat Conner twice during the regular season. Beechwood also swept Newport Central Catholic 3-0 in its own quarterfinal Monday.
A win Wednesday would put Beechwood in the 9th Region championship match for the first time since 2003, when the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) established the current playoff format.
Two players have powered Conner's postseason push. Senior setter Shylyn Koerber has topped 500 assists this season. Junior hitter Charlotte Patton has cleared 500 kills. That production carried the Cougars through a 33rd District title over Ryle and now into the region semifinals.
Ryle has its own path still alive in the 9th Region bracket. The Raiders face St. Henry at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in one of two remaining quarterfinals at Dayton High School. Notre Dame and Highlands play the other at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The winners meet in Wednesday's second semifinal at 8 p.m.
The 9th Region championship match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Dayton.
Ryle also has a busy week beyond volleyball. The Raiders' boys soccer team hosts Brossart at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of the KHSAA state tournament.
