The Hopkinsville Lady Tigers took a big step towards the #2 seed in the 8th District volleyball tournament Thursday night. Behind a big night from senior Hope Pace, the Lady Tigers upended Christian County 3-1 in a hard fought match on the Lady Colonels home court.
Early on, it looked as if Hopkinsville might roll through the night. The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the opening set. With the lead at 12-9, Hopkinsville hit the Lady Colonels with a 5-0 run to push the lead on out to 17-9. Hoptown went on to win the opening set 25-14. Hope Pace had four kills in the set for Hopkinsville. Savannah Peck added three service aces. The Lady Tigers also had a solid set from Marley Hancock.
In the second set, the Lady Colonels played some of their best volleyball of the season. With the set tied at 4-4, Christian County scored the next nine points to go up 13-4. From that point on, the Lady Colonels were not threatened again in the set, as they went on to win 25-17. Macy Baker was huge for Christian County, finishing the set with 4 kills and two aces. Lindsie Oden added a pair of aces. Jaquavia Bailey also gave the Lady Colonels some big moments on the court.
The third set may have been the best of the match, with hard fought, competitive play, and some long points with both teams leaving it all on the court. Hoptown was holding a very tentative 21-19 lead, when they found a way to score the next four points to win the set 25-19 and go up 2-1 in the match. Hope Pace had a stellar set, finishing with seven kills in the set. Hopkinsville also got a big boost from Hailey Hallmark, who returned to the court for the first time since August 27, when she suffered an injury in a match with Henderson County. Hallmark finished the 3rd set with four kills.
The 4th set began with Hopkinsville bolting out to a 4-0 lead, only to see Christian County battle right back to trim the margin to 5-4. The Lady Tigers then scored six in a row to push the lead to 11-4 and take control of the match. Christian County would get within two at 12-10, but the Lady Tigers then outscored the Lady Colonels 7-1 to take a 19-11 lead. Hoptown would then go on to close out the set and the match, winning the set 25-16. Hope Pace had five kills in the set, while Alyssa Bearns added three more.
For the night, Hope Pace had 20 kills for Hopkinsville, while Hailey Hallmark added 10. For Christian County, Macy Baker led the attack with 14 kills on the night.
Hopkinsville improves to 5-9 overall, and 2-2 in 8th District play. Christian Count falls to 8-13 and 2-2.
