Ole Uncle Mo can be a finicky old man. And, when he decides to leave your sideline, it can be hard to convince him to come back. That is some of what happened to the Hopkinsville Lady Tiger volleyball team Thursday night in their 8th District matchup against University Heights.
The Lady Tigers came out of the gate “roaring” against the Lady Blazers. Behind the play of Alyssa Bearns, Hailey Hallmark, and Averie Turner, Hopkinsville jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set. The lead would grow to as much as ten points at 18-8.
Then, Uncle Mo changed sides, and for the Lady Tigers he never came back,
With Evelyn Morales leading the attack at the net, the Lady Blazers began their rally. UHA went on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 20-17. The Lady Blazers would pull even at 21-21. The score would be tied at 22, 23, and 24, before UHA scored back-to-back points to take the opening set 26-24. Morales finished the set with seven kills.
The momentum from the big rally carried over into the second set. UHA took an early 3-1 lead, only to see Hopkinsville come back and take a 4-3 lead. With the set tied 7-7, the Lady Blazers scored four in a row to go up 11-7. Later in the set, behind the net play of Eveyln Morales and Julia Thomas, the Lady Blazers added a 5-0 run to make it 20-13. UHA would go on to take the set 25-20 to go up two sets to none in the match.
The third set was a tight battle from the open. There were six lead changes as the two teams went back and forth. It appeared Hopkinsville was ready to force a 4th set, as the Lady Tigers led late in the set 21-19. Behind strong play from Beth Peebles and Susie Comperry, UHA scored the next four points to take control of the set 23-19. The Lady Blazers would win the set 25-22 and close out the match three sets to none.
For the Lady Blazers, Evelyn Morales finished the match with 11 kills and 8 digs. Beth Peebles had 16 assists and 8 digs. Sarah Peebles added 7 assists and 11 digs for the Lady Blazers.
Hailey Hallmark led the Hopkinsville effort, ending the match with 9 kills and three blocks. Alyssa Bearns added five kills and two aces. Aloria Moyd had seven kills for the Lady Tigers.
UHA improves to 4-10 on the season. With the loss, Hopkinsville falls to 3-12.
