Normally, the use of the term sophomoric does not have a positive connotation. However, such would not be the case with the 2021 University Heights Academy Blazers. The Lady Blazers are truly “sophomoric” in that they have a huge sophomore class returning, with many of those players seeing significant action during the 2020 season for Coach Faye Hendricks. And, there is significant talent among this group of 10th graders.
The Lady Blazers had their ups and downs during the 2020 season, finishing the year at 7-13. However, they managed to win another 8th District championship, knocking off Christian County. UHA was then eliminated in the opening round of the 2nd Region tournament in a tough four-set match with Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The first challenge for the Lady Blazers will be to replace the 1-2 combination of Beth Peebles and Evelyn Morales. Peebles saw action in every game last season, finishing with 289 assists and 42 service aces. Morales led the team in kills with 187 and had 22 blocks.
Expected to fill her sister’s shoes to a great extent will be sophomore Sarah Peebles. The younger Peebles played in every game in 2020, coming up with 158 assists and 39 service aces. Those numbers should go even higher in 2021 with her increased role in the Lady Blazer attack.
UHA will present one of the tallest players in the region at the net. 6-2 sophomore Julia Thomas will be one that other teams try to find a way to play around. Thomas was second on the team in kills in 2020 with 145 and led the team in blocks with 58. She will make for a formidable presence at the net for the Lady Blazers.
While not a part of the massive sophomore class, freshman Olivia Oakley figures to be the Lady Blazers’ high-flyer attacking at the net. As an 8th grader in 2020, Oakley saw action in all but one match, finishing 3rd on the team in kills and 3rd in service aces. Those numbers will likely be dramatically higher in 2021.
Other names to watch for this season as their roles increase include libero Evelyn Cotthoff, Claire Chewning, Lainey Walker, and Susannah Comperry.
With the talent in this large sophomore class, UHA figures to contend for another 8th District championship and play the role of darkhorse in both the All A 2nd Region tournament and the 2nd Region tournament.
The Lady Blazers will be tested over the course of the season, appearing in the Apollo Summer Slam, the Quad State Tournament, and the Toyota Smack Down, as well as matchups against Christian County, Madisonville, Todd Central, and Apollo.
The Lady Blazers will open the season Tuesday night when they host Hopkins County Central.
Coach Faye Hendricks spoke with YSE about the upcoming volleyball season.
