Ryle boys volleyball, under new coach Heather Kidd, is aiming for another KHSAA state tournament appearance with a current record of 12-3. The team has an undefeated record against regional opponents and ranks fifth in the KHSAA's RPI report.
Key points
Ryle boys volleyball aims for KHSAA state tournament appearance
Current record is 12-3 in 2026
Undefeated against regional opponents
Ranked fifth in KHSAA's RPI report
Head coach is Heather Kidd
Mentioned in this story
Kentucky High School Athletic AssociationHeather Kidd
Now a year later, and a new head coach in Heather Kidd, the Raiders are on their way to another possible regional title and state tournament appearance.
Ryle in 2026 is 12-3, having only lost to Walnut Hills, Louisville Trinity and Louisville St. Xavier. Their record also includes an 8-0 mark against region opponents. Ryle sits in fifth in the KHSAA's RPI report for the sport, behind St. Xavier, South Warren, DeSales and Trinity.
The Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers face-off against each other in a high school boys volleyball game, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Alo (30) serves the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Q&A
What is Ryle boys volleyball's current record in 2026?
Ryle boys volleyball has a current record of 12-3 in 2026.
Who is the head coach of Ryle boys volleyball in 2026?
The head coach of Ryle boys volleyball in 2026 is Heather Kidd.
How did Ryle boys volleyball perform in the previous season?
In the previous season, Ryle boys volleyball went 22-4 and won the Sixth Region championship.
What is Ryle's ranking in the KHSAA RPI report?
Ryle currently sits in fifth place in the KHSAA's RPI report for boys volleyball.
Related Articles
Soccer
Arne Slot has seen enough: Attacker offered to five Premier League clubs
Arne Slot is reshaping Liverpool's squad with an attacker offered to five Premier League clubs.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith: ‘Being champions of Europe holds weight, but we believe in ourselves’
Arsenal forward Olivia Smith, 21, reflects on her journey and adaptability as she prepares for a Champions League semi-final against Lyon. With nine goals and three assists this season, she embraces her role at Arsenal while acknowledging the unpredictability of football.
The Guardian Sport··1 min read
Cricket
Cricket’s April wasteland: Cook and Pietersen row like barbecue dads in the battle for Bethell | Barney Ronay
Cook and Pietersen clash like barbecue dads in cricket's April wasteland over Bethell.
The Guardian Sport··1 min read
Sports
“I want him to be fit” – Pep Guardiola admits injuries have held John Stones back at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola admits injuries have hindered John Stones at Manchester City.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Real Betis defender fires brutal post-match verdict after Real Madrid draw: ‘The keeper saved them’
Real Betis defender criticizes Real Madrid's performance after draw
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer
Vincent Kompany said outside-back situation is luxury for Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany highlights Bayern Munich's depth in outside-back positions as a luxury.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) serves the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Max Kidd (21) hits over Simon Kenton Henry Alo (30) in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Alo (30) sets the ball up for a hit in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nehemiah Kaai (23) hits the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Collin Mcculley (10) hits the ball over the net in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Ishan Senthil (12) dives for the ball in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nehemiah Kaai (23) and Nicholas Nartker (15) collide in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Andrew Stropko (10) bumps the ball in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers head coach Lacey Maley calls out to players in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nicholas Nartker (15) dives for the ball in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Andrew Stropko (10) and Max Kidd (21) miss the block on a hit from Simon Kenton Pioneers Christian De La Cruz (11) during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders head coach Heather Kidd speaks with players in a huddle during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Mitchell Ball (7) and Nehemiah Kaai (23) miss the block on a hit from Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Ali (30) bumps the ball in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Oliver Breckenridge (23) and Collin Kemper (18) miss the hit on the ball in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Collin Kemper (18) bumps the ball in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) spikes the ball to score on the Simon Kenton Pioneers in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
1 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
The Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers face-off against each other in a high school boys volleyball game, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
1 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
The Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers face-off against each other in a high school boys volleyball game, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
2 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Alo (30) serves the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
3 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) serves the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
4 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Max Kidd (21) hits over Simon Kenton Henry Alo (30) in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
5 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Alo (30) sets the ball up for a hit in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
6 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nehemiah Kaai (23) hits the ball in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
7 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Collin Mcculley (10) hits the ball over the net in the first set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
8 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Ishan Senthil (12) dives for the ball in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
9 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nehemiah Kaai (23) and Nicholas Nartker (15) collide in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
10 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Andrew Stropko (10) bumps the ball in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
11 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers head coach Lacey Maley calls out to players in the second set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
12 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Nicholas Nartker (15) dives for the ball in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
13 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Andrew Stropko (10) and Max Kidd (21) miss the block on a hit from Simon Kenton Pioneers Christian De La Cruz (11) during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
14 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders head coach Heather Kidd speaks with players in a huddle during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
15 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Mitchell Ball (7) and Nehemiah Kaai (23) miss the block on a hit from Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
16 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Simon Kenton Pioneers Henry Ali (30) bumps the ball in the third set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
17 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Oliver Breckenridge (23) and Collin Kemper (18) miss the hit on the ball in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
18 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Collin Kemper (18) bumps the ball in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
19 / 19
Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | Photos
Ryle Raiders Ryota Kondo (11) spikes the ball to score on the Simon Kenton Pioneers in the fourth set during a boys high school volleyball game between the Ryle Raiders and Simon Kenton Pioneers, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Ryle High School in Union, Ky.
"We've played everybody but two teams in our region," Kidd said. "The boys are playing really well right now and have been all season. We have a lot of returners, though, so we have a solid, solid group of boys."
The two regional foes unseen by Ryle so far are Oldham County and Collins. Oldham County hosts the Raiders on April 28. Both teams are undefeated in the region and both were state qualifiers last year.
Returners from last year's squad, Ryota Kondo and Andrew Stropko are leading the Raiders again.
Kondo has 209 assists for Ryle as well as 82 digs, 53 kills and 44 aces. Stropko, a sophomore, has 165 assists, 81 kills, 74 digs and 29 aces. Junior Max Kidd leads the team with 114 kills and 35 total blocks and Eddie Rieffer has 80 kills. Collin Kemper leads with 132 digs.
Their season so far, especially the losses to St. Xavier and Trinity, has prepared the Raiders for the final stretch.
Ryle junior Max Kidd leads the Raiders with 114 kills in 2026.
Ryle junior Max Kidd leads the Raiders with 114 kills in 2026.
"It's really important (to play Louisville teams)," Kidd said. "One, it gives you an idea of where you need to be if you want to compete for a state title. Two, it gets us the competition we need so that it can prepare us for our region play.
"I would rather play a good team and lose to get that competition and the experience for the boys."
Unlike last season, when the Region 6 qualifiers were pitted against Region 5 (where Trinity and St. Xavier reside), the Region 6 teams will visit Region 8 qualifiers to begin the state tournament. Pikeville and Powell County, last year's Region 8 finalists, again lead the region this season.
