Crittenden County overcame what has become a normality for them — a slow start — before turning on the heat to down Christian County in straight sets to advance to the region volleyball semifinals for a second straight year.
The Lady Rockets won 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 on their home court Monday. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the region’s athletic directors voted to allow the district champions to host each of the four quarterfinal contests Monday. The tournament moves to Christian County Tuesday for the semifinal round.
Christian County jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the first quarter thanks to strong play at the net and a strong service game. Crittenden chipped away, but Paris Buckner had a kill and three blocks in a two-point stretch that saw the Lady Colonels stretch the lead back to 17-12.
Crittenden seemed to find its footing at that point, scoring seven straight points to grab a 19-17 lead. The Lady Rockets closed the set on a 13-3 run to take the opening frame 25-20.
Christian County struggled with its serve/receive game in the second set where Crittenden County recorded five of its 15 aces. The Lady Rockets led 9-4 before the Lady Colonels rattled off four straight to draw to within 9-8. Christian was within 14-12, but the Lady Rockets closed with an 11-3 run to claim the second set 25-15.
The Lady Colonels did a better job of setting off the serve in the third set, but Crittenden broke a 4-4 tie with four straight points. Four times the Lady Colonels got to within a point, but the Lady Rockets kept them at bay and never allowed them to tie the set the rest of the way. Crittenden took the third set 25-21.
The Fifth District champions got a balanced night at the net. Jada Hayes had six kills, five digs, and three aces. Freshman Katie Perryman added six kills and five blocks, and 8th grader Carly Porter contributed five kills and three blocks. Addy Kirby had five aces, seven digs, and five kills.
The win marks the first time Crittenden County has won region tournament games in consecutive years and avenged two earlier season losses to Christian County.
Macy Baker had 10 kills and three serves in her final game as a Lady Colonel. She is the lone senior on a team that was 8-12 and earned the No. 1 seed in the 8th District. Aniya McCarley added five kills at the net. Hailey Sparks had three kills and nine assists, and Chantelle Haby added eight helpers for the Lady Colonels.
Crittenden County will play Caldwell County in Tuesday’s 5:30 semifinal at Christian County. The Lady Tigers ended Henderson County’s five-year run atop the region with a straight-set win.
Madisonville will play Webster County in the other semifinal at 8 pm.
