The last time the Madisonville-North Hopkins Lady Maroons faced the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers, it was the first round of the 2019 2nd Region tournament, and the Lady Blazers owned the night, sweeping the Lady Maroons in three straight sets. Monday night, at Blazer Gym, things turned out a little bit differently.
Madisonville fended off a UHA rally and held on for a five set win to remain unbeaten here in the early stages of the 2020 volleyball season.
UHA seemed to have things going their way early. Behind the play of Beth Peebles and Julia Thomas, the Lady Blazers jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the opening set. The Lady Maroons were able to close to within one at 18-17, but UHA was able to hold on to take the first set 25-22.
The second set was a tight battle early. With the set tied at 6-6, Madisonville went on a 5-1 run to take an 11-7 lead. UHA was able to close to within two points on several occasions, but this time it was the Lady Maroons who were able to fend off a hard charging opponent to take the set 25-20, and even the match at one set apiece. Kaitlyn Orange and Natalie Collier had big sets to lead the Lady Maroon effort.
In the third set, it looked as if the Lady Maroons were ready to seize control of the match. With Madisonville leading 13-11, the Lady Maroons scored the final 12 points of the set, 11 of those with Collier serving. In addition to the continued solid play of Orange and Collier, Madisonville got big plays from Arian Gregory and Adena Springer to move out to the two set to one lead.
With their backs against the wall, it was the Lady Blazers turn to fight back. With the fourth set tied at 8-8, UHA scored the next five points to take a 13-8 lead. Behind the play of Julia Thomas and Sarah Peebles, the Lady Blazers finished the set outscoring Madisonville 12-6 to win the set 25-14 and even the match at two sets apiece.
The deciding 5th set turned out to be all Lady Maroons. Holding a 5-3 lead, Madisonville scored the next six points to go up 11-3 and effectively seal the win. The Lady Maroons would take the set 15-5 to win the match three sets to two.
With the win, Madisonville moves to 4-0 on the season. The Lady Maroons will be back in action Tuesday night at home in a big 7th District showdown with Caldwell County.
UHA falls to 1-1 with the loss. The Lady Blazers are also back in action Tuesday as they host Christian County in an 8th District battle.
