Cooper senior Kayla Johnson has the opportunity to become her school's first three-time girls tennis Region 9 singles champion when the tournament begins Wednesday at Boone Woods Park in Burlington, according to a report from the NKy Tribune.

Johnson, seeded No. 1 in the girls singles bracket, defeated Beechwood's Sadie Jones in last year's regional final to repeat as champion. The Cooper senior was the only underclassman to reach the final four a year ago. Cooper's only other two-time region champion in girls singles was Ellie Zureick, who won the title in 2018 and 2019.

In girls doubles, top-seeded Avery Love and Niveditha Salvaraju of Ryle will attempt to win their third consecutive regional title. The duo's reign atop Region 9 represents a dominant stretch for the Raiders program, which this spring boasts a 15-3 overall record.

Notre Dame junior Lilliana Berling secured the No. 2 seed in singles after reaching the quarterfinals last year. Her teammates Isabella Mcelwee and Malia Christiansen are seeded No. 2 in doubles, while Dixie Heights partners Cassidy Derry and Isabella Norvell are seeded third despite reaching the region final last season.

The boys tennis tournament begins Saturday at Covington Catholic High School, with seedings to be announced Wednesday. Singles winners and doubles champions will advance to a semi-state tournament May 20 at Lexington Sayre High School, competing against qualifiers from Regions 10, 11, and 12.

Ryle advances in boys volleyball

Defending champion Ryle and second-seeded Oldham County both advanced to the Region 6 boys volleyball semifinals with three-set victories Tuesday at Simon Kenton High School. Ryle defeated Collins 3-0, while Oldham County downed Scott 3-0.

If both teams win their Thursday semifinals, they would meet in the region final for the second consecutive year. Simon Kenton senior outside hitter Nehemiah Kai earned Region 6 Player of the Year honors from the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association, leading the Pioneers with 201 kills, 123 digs, and 57 service aces in their inaugural season of competition. Ryle coach Heather Kidd was named Region 6 Coach of the Year.

Elsbernd steps down at Holmes

Sam Elsbernd is resigning as boys basketball coach at Holmes after two seasons. Under Elsbernd's direction, the Bulldogs posted records of 12-17 and 15-14, a marked improvement over the 2-22 and 3-22 finishes before his arrival. This season, Holmes won eight of its last 13 games and captured the NKAC Division III tournament title. Elsbernd previously coached at Pendleton County and Bracken County before returning to Holmes, where he assisted the Bulldogs' 2009 state championship team.