09/17/2026
🏐 PAINTSVILLE RETURNS TO ALL “A” STATE WITH CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE AND A 15–1 RECORD
Lady Tigers look to add another state championship under Coach Dawn Kinner.
Paintsville Volleyball heads to Owensboro this weekend for the Kentucky All “A” Classic State Tournament, September 18–19, bringing a 15–1 record, an 11-match winning streak and a program that knows what it takes to win this tournament.
In 2022, Paintsville captured the All “A” State Championship, becoming just the second public school to win the event. That team finished with a school-record 38–3 mark and also won the 15th Region championship.
Coach Dawn Kinner, now in her 17th season, has built an outstanding résumé at Paintsville. Her career record stands at 445–129, a 77.5% winning percentage, with five 15th Region championships, 13 district titles and the 2022 All “A” state championship. A former Georgetown College standout, Kinner was twice named First Team All-Mid-South Conference and played on two NAIA Elite Eight teams.
🏐A healthier lineup heading into state
Paintsville's impressive start came despite playing without starting setter Addison Helton early in the season. Sophomore Bentley Smith, an outstanding multisport athlete, stepped into the setter position with only a few weeks to prepare and did an excellent job keeping the Tigers' offense running.
With Helton now back directing the offense and Smith returning to her regular position, Paintsville has its established rotation back in place. Helton delivered 45 assists and 10 digs in Tuesday's 3–1 victory over Shelby Valley, avenging the Tigers' only loss of the season.
🏐Four seniors lead Paintsville
The Tigers feature an experienced senior class of Kylie Kinner, Chloe Reed, Mallory May and Annabelle Blankenship.
Kylie Kinner recorded 828 kills last season, finishing second in Kentucky, and is again among the state's offensive leaders. The Morehead State basketball and beach volleyball commit delivered 27 kills in Tuesday's win over Shelby Valley.
Kylie is also approaching a remarkable career milestone. She entered her senior season with 2,391 career kills and has added 297 this season, bringing her to approximately 2,688. At her current pace, she is on track to challenge the highest career total documented in Kentucky: 2,816 kills by Megan Taylor who played at Marshall, now an assistant coach on Kinner's Paintsville staff.
Chloe Reed provides another talented outside hitter and an important part of Paintsville's serve-receive game. Chloe has offers from Transylvania and KCU. She has recorded 151 kills this season, giving the Tigers another productive offensive option.
Mallory May brings an experienced presence at the net. She recorded 345 kills last season and currently leads Paintsville in blocks, while Annabelle Blankenship led the team with 63 blocks in 2025 and adds another experienced middle hitter to the lineup.
Sophomore libero Kendall Short anchors the back row, while Helton, Smith and sophomore Kate Lauffer provide additional depth and versatility.
🏐Top teams and players to watch
Beechwood (11–1) returns as the defending state champion after a 33–6 season in 2025. The Tigers have already defeated St. Henry and Lexington Catholic this season. Bellarmine commit Isabel O'Brien, Northern Kentucky commit Macy Armstrong and UVA Wise commit Skylr Estep headline an experienced roster.
Bishop Brossart (15–0) enters undefeated after winning its eighth consecutive 10th Region All “A” championship. Senior Callie Ritter recorded 335 kills and a state-leading 1.97 blocks per set last season, while setter Aubrey Rebholz averaged 10 assists per set and has surpassed 2,300 career assists. Paintsville faces Brossart Friday evening.
Holy Cross (Louisville, 11–3) brings an experienced lineup featuring Brianne and Delaney Stoff, while Eminence (13–0) enters unbeaten and shares a competitive pool with Beechwood and Sayre.
Sayre (11–2) also features Indiana State volleyball commit Brooke Barntsen, who recorded 599 kills last season. Somerset's Sara Tucker is another standout in the field after recording 615 kills in 2025.
Those comparisons provide some perspective, but head-to-head tournament competition will provide a clearer picture of the field.
FRIDAY -
Paintsville vs. Raceland
6:00 p.m. ET • Court 2
Paintsville vs. Bishop Brossart
7:45 p.m. ET • Court 3
SATURDAY
Paintsville vs. Leslie County
8:30 a.m. ET • Court 2
Owensboro Convention Center. All times Eastern. All games will be streamed on Fan.Hudl Paintsville.
The top two teams from each pool advance to Saturday's eight-team championship bracket.
Four years after bringing the All “A” state championship home to Paintsville, Coach Kinner and the Lady Tigers return with four talented seniors, their starting setter back in the lineup and an opportunity to compete for another state title.
Good luck, Lady Tigers! 💙🏐
