The UHA Lady Blazers did not just have their backs against the wall in the 5th set of their 8th District semifinal match against the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers, their backs were halfway out the door towards the end of their season. Hopkinsville had roared back from a big deficit in the 4th set, and then jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the deciding set. So, it appeared all of the momentum at the most crucial time in the match was going towards the Hopkinsville bench.
However, a young Lady Blazer squad then exhibited some of the maturity it had gained over the course of a COVID shortened season. UHA scored seven straight points to take an 11-9 lead in the 5th set, and it would be a lead that they would not give up, as the Lady Blazers went on to take the 5th set 15-12 and the match three sets to two to advance on to Thursday night’s 8th District championship game.
From the very beginning of the match, the Lady Tigers seemed to be determined not to be swept for the third time this season by the Lady Blazers. UHA jumped out to an 18-10 lead in the opening set, but then had to hold off a Hoptown rally. The Lady Tigers would get as close as two points before UHA ended up winning the set 25-21.
Evelyn Morales had a big opening set for UHA, finishing with four kills and three service aces. Hailey Hallmark led the Lady Tigers with four kills and an ace in the opening set.
The second set saw Hopkinsville get out to a 13-7 lead behind strong play from Hallmark, Alyssa Bearns, and Lupita Vieyra. Led by Sarah Peebles, Beth Peebles, and Julia Thomas, UHA would battle back to tie the set at 21-21, but could not get to the lead, as Hopkinsville would take the set 25-22 to even the match at one set apiece.
It appeared, at the time, that the third set might be the final turning point of the match. Hoptown jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead. The Lady Tigers would be leading 10-6, when the Lady Blazers made their move to seize control of the match. UHA would score eight straight points, four of them on service aces from Sarah Peebles, as the Lady Blazers grabbed a 14-10 lead. A couple of big kills from Evelyn Morales and three service aces Olivia Oakley, and the set was a runaway for the Lady Blazers, as they would go on to take the set 25-13. The Lady Blazers had nine service aces during the set.
The momentum from the 3rd set carried over for UHA, as the Lady Blazers looked to be on their way to putting the match away by scoring the first nine points of the 4th set. However, on this night, the Lady Tigers would not go down quite that easy.
Led by the play of Hailey Hallmark, Averie Turner, Alyssa Bearns, and Dana Hardison, Hopkinsville came roaring, loudly, back. Trailing 10-2, the Lady Tigers scored eight straight to tie it up at 10-10 and the battle was on. UHA would move out to a 21-17 lead and looked to be about to shut the door for good on Hopkinsville’s season. Hallmark, Turner, and Hardison did not let that happen, as the Lady Tigers finished the set on a 10-4 run to win the set 27-25, and even the sets at two apiece.
As the 5th set began, it looked like it would be the Lady Tigers that would be closing out the match. After back to back kills from Hailey Hallmark, Hopkinsville would lead the deciding set 8-3, and the Lady Blazers were in deep trouble. But, the service play of UHA would again be a factor in the match. Three service aces from Olivia Oakley and a pair of kills from Evelyn Morales put the Lady Blazers back in front to stay at 12-10. UHA would go on to take the set 15-12 and close out the match three sets to two.
Morales had a solid night for the Lady Blazers finishing with 15 kills and 5 service aces. Sarah Peebles added six service aces for University Heights.
Hailey Hallmark paced the Hopkinsville attack with 16 kills. Alyssa Bearns added 13 kills and 2 service aces.
University Heights ups their record to 6-12 with the win. The Lady Blazers advance on to Thursday night’s 8th District championship match, where they will take on Christian County.
Hopkinsville ends their season at 4-14 with the loss.
