Heritage Christian Academy used a strong service game to beat The Clarksville Academy in four sets Tuesday in the season opener for the Lady Warriors. HCA won the first two sets 25-8 and 25-23. They dropped the third set 26-24 but won the deciding set 25-22.
HCA had a 72-percent service rate in the match and recorded 18 aces. The Lady Warriors connected on 87-percent of their first set serves. Up 12-7, Olivia Cornelius rattled off 12 straight points, including three aces. Elle Heltsley had four kills in the set for HCA.
The second set was the only one where the Lady Warriors struggled with their serve, coming in with just a 54-percent service success rate. Neither team was separated by more than four points in the set. HCA trailed 23-22, but rallied to score the final three points, two coming from Lexie Crisp.
The third set was another close one as TCA pulled out to a 22-16 lead. HCA battled back with strong net play by Allie Schluckebier to take a 24-23 lead. However, TCA forced a side out and claimed the two-point win.
HCA went with a younger unit in the fourth set and held the lead for the majority of the stretch run. Bella Peach had a pair of aces, Elizabeth Pitts had two kills and an ace, and Tori Sutton had a kill in the final set.
Crisp finished the match with seven kills and five aces. Heltsley added seven kills and four aces. Meredith Crunk had seven kills and two aces, and Emma Kirkham contributed 24 assists and a kill.
Heritage Christian Academy will play in the Lancaster, Tenn. Volleyjam this weekend.
