There were quite a few new faces on the court when the Hopkinsville volleyball team opened the season at Trigg County on Thursday night, but the result was familiar as the Lady Tigers topped the host Lady Wildcats 3-1.
Hopkinsville has taken the last seven matches with Trigg County dating back to 2014 and led 12-4 in the first set before the Lady Wildcats stormed back to tie it at 13-13. From there the Lady Tigers closed on a 12-2 run, including four kills by Hailey Hallmark, to take a 1-0 lead.
Hoptown was in control throughout in the second, leading 8-1 after an ace by Allison Luttrull and going on to win 25-16.
Trigg got off to a better start in the third set, leading early before retaking the advantage at 9-8 after three straight aces for Grace White. The Lady Wildcats scored the next five, including a pair of kills for Skye Williamson, to force a Hoptown timeout at 14-8.
However, the Lady Tigers were even again at 15-15 on the strength of three aces in a row from Danija Rogers. Both teams fought off set point, leading to a 26-26 tie before the Lady Wildcats scored the final two points to prolong the match.
The dropped set seemed to sharpen the Lady Tigers’ focus, and they led 6-0 with three aces from Aloria Moyd. Trigg showed some life on three aces from Williamson to cut the margin to four, but Hallmark closed the show with four kills down the stretch to clinch a 25-14 win.
Hallmark finished with 18 kills and Amy Toms had 24 assists for Hopkinsville. Moyd served up seven aces, Shelby Sparks came up with 12 digs, and Rogers had 10.
Hopkinsville jumps into 8th-District play on Monday with a visit from University Heights. Trigg will also be in action on Monday when Webster County makes the trip to Cadiz.
