Worthington Kilbourne Volleyball’s Season of Resilience Yields Historic Results

Worthington — The 2024 season has already been historic for the Worthington Kilbourne volleyball team. After years of coming close, the Lady Wolves broke through on Thursday to claim their first district championship, defeating Big Walnut. Head Coach Meladee Hopkins noted that her team expected this outcome: “We had a five-set win over Big Walnut towards the end of the regular season, and it gave them confidence that they could defeat Big Walnut in the district finals.”

In a season marked by challenges, the Lady Wolves are getting more than Halloween tricks – they’re celebrating with a treat: a regional semifinal matchup against Loveland. Head Coach Meladee Hopkins and her team are already deep into preparation. “My assistant coach, three of my players, and I went to scout the Loveland/Troy match,” Hopkins shared. “With some film to watch, these things will help the three practices we have to prepare for them.”

Early on, Kilbourne quickly recognized that this season would be a battle against adversity. “Our season has been riddled with injuries and sickness,” Coach Hopkins noted. “There were matches that we definitely should not have lost, especially early in the season.” After their first matchup with Big Walnut, the Lady Wolves were 4-5 overall and 1-2 in OCC play. They could have faced a downward spiral, but instead, they chose to rally together and push forward.

Kilbourne wrapped up OCC play with an impressive 8-1 record in their last nine games, finishing 10-3 overall heading into the district playoffs. After a rough start against Westerville South in the district semifinals, the Lady Wolves found their rhythm, advancing decisively to a district finals rematch with Big Walnut. “I feel that the girls bought into the ‘next player will step up’ mentality,” Coach Hopkins shared. “Those early losses helped them develop grit to push through tough matches. And that five-set win over Big Walnut near the end of the regular season gave them the confidence they needed for the district finals.”

Rallying to turn around a season that could have slipped away was a testament to the team’s commitment to a “herd mentality,” putting the program first no matter what. “We believe the keys to our success this season are the unselfishness of the girls and their focus on putting the team first,” Coach Hopkins explained. “The girls have been incredibly supportive of each other through injuries and illness, which kept everyone focused. They understood that anyone might have to step into a different role to fill in, and they embraced that challenge together.”

Coach Hopkins credits junior setter Lilly Schultheis with helping shape the culture that defines Kilbourne volleyball in 2024. “I believe all the girls look up to Lilly,” Hopkins said. “She’s a junior and has been voted team captain for the past two seasons. She has a strong work ethic and does a great job of keeping control of the court as the setter.”

Kilbourne set out this season with a clear goal: to win a district championship. Now, they’ve shattered past expectations, achieving what once seemed out of reach. “Many of our varsity players listed goals like winning the OCC, capturing a district championship, having fun, and building a successful season,” Coach Hopkins shared. “They also wanted to set an example for younger players as a responsible, talented, and fun team.”

How Thursday’s regional game will end remains unknown, but the Lady Wolves have already achieved more in 2024 than in any prior season. Coach Hopkins couldn’t hold back her praise for the team: “We run our program to develop responsible, reliable, and respectable young ladies,” she said. “We truly emphasize being a family and supporting each other through the ups and downs of high school. I believe this group is absolutely crushing it.”

Worthington Kilbourne’s regional semifinal match against Loveland is set for Halloween night at Butler High School in Vandalia, with a 6 PM start time. The winner will advance to Saturday’s regional final against either Mount Notre Dame or St. Ursula Academy, both from Cincinnati.