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.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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosThe 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosThe 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosSimon 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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 / 19Ryle hosts Simon Kenton in boys volleyball | PhotosRyle 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.In the second season since the Kentucky High School Athletic Association sanctioned boys volleyball, Simon Kenton was one of the schools to add the sport to its athletic program, a decision that quickly paid off.
Simon Kenton's first season has seen the Pioneers start with an 8-2 record, including a 7-0 start where the team dropped just a single set.
Head coach Lacey Maley, a 2018 Simon Kenton grad and the junior varsity coach in the girls program, has led the Pioneers in their first season.
Maley's team has just 12 players, with three having prior volleyball experience. As of games played on April 21, they're the No. 14 team in the KHSAA by RPI.
More: Covington Catholic adding boys volleyball program in spring of 2027
"Hard work," Maley said when asked how her team has adapted to a new sport so quickly. "A real big want to win and compete and a want to get better. I've had several players make drastic improvements already over the season.
"I think having the three club players helps us. They're able to spread their knowledge and wisdom with the boys while on the court playing and in practice."
Senior Nehemiah Kaai, junior Henry Alo and freshman Nicholas Nartker are the three with volleyball experience.
Nartker has led the team in digs while cousins Kaai and Alo run the offense.
Alo, the setter, has had over 150 assists this season, mostly to Kaai who has over 120 kills.
"They've grown up with each other and they're a volleyball family," Maley said. "I think they've been able to build that connection over time and experience. I think that's how any team is able to run those quick, fastbreak plays and volleyball is just timing and connection with your setter.
"They know each other front and back. In the middle of a play, they know how to get it to each other."
Since Simon Kenton's 7-0 start, the Pioneers were swept by North Oldham, swept Scott for the second time this season and lost to defending regional champion Ryle in four sets on April 21.
Ryle improved to 11-3 with the win and is the top team in Region 6. Ryle's program has existed for several years and predates the KHSAA sanctioning of the sport. Ryle beat Simon Kenton 23-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23, but taking a set from the Raiders and being competitive throughout the match was a welcome ending.
"I'm very, very proud of my team for taking a set," Maley said. "There's many programs who have been around a lot longer than us and haven't even come that far, so I think it speaks volumes to my boys and how much effort and hustle they're willing to put in.
"Didn't get the result I wanted, but beyond proud of the result I got."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Simon Kenton boys volleyball succeeding in Pioneers' first season