Christian County concluded play Saturday by winning the consolation bracket of the Bronze Division of the Toyota of Hopkinsville West Kentucky Smackdown.
The Lady Colonels went 1-2 in pool play Friday and Saturday. They lost to Apollo 2-0 (25-17, 25-20) and Crittenden County 2-0 (25-21, 25-16) Friday. Saturday morning, they beat Ballard Memorial 2-0 (25-8, 25-22).
In the Bronze Division, they opened with Marshall County and had the Lady Marshals on the ropes. The Lady Colonels jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first set and led wire to wire in a 25-21 win. Christian County again got off to a fast start in the second lead, leading 4-2. Up 12-9, the Lady Marshals went on an 8-0 run to lead 19-9. The Lady Colonels cut the deficit to 22-17 late, but Marshall County took the set 25-19.
In the deciding set, Christian County led 19-12, but Marshall scored four straight. Up 23-20 and holding serve, a service error by Christian County gave it back to Marshall who scored the final four points to claim the set and match.
Ariyonna Johnson and Macy Baker each had six kills in the match, while Jaquavia Bailey had four kills, and an ace. Lindsie Oden added a pair of aces, and Elizabeth Gibbs led the team in digs.
The Lady Colonels met district rival Hopkinsville in the consolation final. The first set featured five ties, but the Lady Colonels kept their rival at arm’s length and won the set 25-19.
The second set was tied 9-9, but Hopkinsville finished with a 16-3 run to claim a convincing 25-12 win. Karalyn Beamer had four kills during the deciding run for Hoptown.
The third set was a tight one featuring nine ties. Christian County appeared to have the set in hand with a 15-7 lead, but Hopkinsville battled back to tie the set at 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25. The Lady Colonels scored the final two points for the 27-25 win.
Johnson had 10 kills in the match to lead Christian County, while Baker had eight, and Bailey had three. Bailey also had three aces, and Gibbs contributed two.
Christian County (13-19) will play Hopkinsville (8-22) again Tuesday in the semifinals of the Eighth District Tournament at Fort Campbell.
