NC fall teams reload for title runs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic sophomore Rachel McDonald (11) sets up for a spike in last year's 36th District championship game. NC lost to Ryle in the 9th Region semifinals last year.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic fall sports teams are going through transitions like many teams do.

But they often reload and this year is no exception. They are primed to once again contend for district and regional championships.

Soccer, Boys:

The Thoroughbreds finished 14-5-1 last year. They claimed another 36th District championship but fell in the 9th Region title game, 1-0 in overtime to the district rival Highlands Bluebirds. NewCath has been in a regional final three straight years.

“I think last year’s loss is still eating at them,” said Mike McDonald, NewCath Head Coach. “This team has worked harder in the offseason than any other NCC team I have coached. We are hungry to get another chance at the title. We have the experience this year to get us there.”

NewCath graduated nine seniors from that team including leading scorer Matt Tolle. But the Thoroughbreds return a number of solid starters including senior goalkeeper Paul Grosser. McDonald is a defensive-minded coach and it showed as NewCath allowed just 25 goals last year.

Seth Freppon returns on defense as does all-state defender Jacob Hensley. Hensley will play more of a mid-field role this year.

The staff is looking at several seniors and juniors to lead offensively. Patrick Louis will move from center-mid to forward along with senior forward Ryan Randle. Junior forward Andrew Liles along with two outside midfielders in senior Noah Connoly and junior Kyle Bleser also hope to put some balls in the back of the net.

NewCath opens the season Aug. 21 at home against Simon Kenton. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

Soccer, Girls:

The Lady Breds finished an impressive 13-4-4 last year. They won the All “A” State Tournament and the Ashland Invitational before losing to eventual state champion Notre Dame in the 9th Region semifinals at Dixie Heights.

NewCath graduated six seniors from that team including Sam Bunzel and Chandler Cain. But the Lady Breds do return seven starters including sophomore goalkeeper Meg Martin and three defenders including junior Ansley Davenport. The four seniors are midfielders in Loren Zimmerman, Michaela Ware, MiKayla Seibert and Morgan Martini. Sophomore forward Taylor Tolle led NewCath with 16 goals last year.

“As a coach, you have to know which players you need to lean on for leadership and for other roles,” said Kevin Turnick, NewCath Head Coach. “At times, you have to take different approaches at practice. Formations and style of play chan change depending on what you lose the year before. You want to make sure you have the best 11 out on the field and give the right formation that best suits their strengths to give you the best chance to win.”

NewCath last won a region championship in 2001. The Lady Breds have played in the region tournament eight times since then. They’ve made the region title game four times and made the semifinals the other four times.

NewCath travels to Cooper on Wednesday to open the season. Game time is 7 p.m.

Volleyball:

After dominating the old 10th Region for many years, NewCath finished 17-17 and took a major step toward competing with the 9th Region powers last year. The Thoroughbreds lost to host Ryle in the semifinals after winning the 36th District championship.

NewCath graduated six players from that team. That includes Nikki Kiernan, Abbie Lukens and setter Alyssa Maier. Kiernan will be playing basketball at Thomas More College this winter.

Sophomore Rachel McDonald made a splash last year and senior Keyaira Lankheit did a lot of damage controlling the net last year. Senior starters Jamie Lohr and Laura Brannon also return for the Thoroughbreds.

“The girls are working hard every day to take care of the little things that can make a difference in a match,” said Vicki Fleissner, NewCath Head Coach. “Besides working on the fundamentals, they are also focusing on the intangibles of a match such as communication, coverage, leadership and building strong team chemistry. It’s going to require the girls to build on the positive things that happen on the court and learn from the negatives.”

Olivia Owens, Amanda Ruwe and Alexa Kehoe also come back from last year. Sophomores Haley Meyers and Anna Schneider could also contribute along with freshmen Lexy Breen and Mikah Freppon. Freppon will step into the setting role.

NewCath opens the season in the All “A” 9th Region Tournament on Monday at Ludlow.