After facing their share of struggles during the COVID shortened regular season, a young University Heights Academy Lady Blazers team came of age Thursday night. The Lady Blazers rebounded from losing a tough opening set to take the next three to defeat a very game Christian County Lady Colonels squad three sets to one in the 8th District championship match.
Christian County dressed only six players for the match, which meant all six had to play every point of a hard fought, difficult match in a warm Blazer Gym.
The district championship is the third straight for the Lady Blazers.
Much like the Tuesday night semifinal between UHA and Hoptown, this match had some big momentum swings over the course of the four sets. Christian County came roaring out of the gate, jumping out to a 14-6 lead behind strong play from Macy Baker. With Evelyn Morales taking flight at the net, the Lady Blazers fought back to take a 23-22 lead late in the set. Christian County ended up taking the set 27-25.
Macy Baker had a couple of kills and a pair of aces in the opening set for Christian County. Evelyn Morales and Julia Thomas each had three kills in the set.
The second set again saw Christian County come firing out of the gate. With Paris Buckner and Macy Baker leading the way, the Lady Colonels opened the second set by taking a 16-7 lead. With strong serving performances from Sarah Peebles and Evelyn Cotthoff, UHA rallied again. Trailing 20-17, the Lady Blazers closed out the set with 8 straight points to win 25-20 and even the match at one set apiece.
Cotthoff finished with three aces, while Sarah Peebles added two more of her own. Beth Peebles chipped in with three kills.
UHA began the third set like they were ready to run away and hide. The Lady Blazers opened the set taking a 10-3 lead. But, back came Christian County. With Paris Buckner and Macy Baker leading the way, the Lady Colonels scored ten straight points to take a 13-10 lead. Getting strong play at the net from Julia Thomas, the Lady Blazers fired right back, going on a 10-2 run to take control of the set at 20-15. UHA would take the set 25-20 to go up two sets to one.
The beginning of set #4 was almost a carbon copy of the third set. UHA again roared out to a 10-3 lead behind strong play from Evelyn Morales and Beth Peebles. With Hailey Sparks and Macy Baker leading the way, the Lady Colonels got back into the set, and took the lead at 19-17.
At that point, being shorthanded the entire night may have finally caught up to the Lady Colonels, as UHA closed out the set and the match with an 8-2 spurt to take the final set 25-21. Evelyn Morales had another big set for the Lady Blazers with five kills.
Hailey Sparks had a big night for Christian County with 12 kills and 5 assists. Macy Baker added 8 kills and 6 aces. Chantelle Haby finished with 17 assists.
Both teams will now advance on to next week’s 2nd Region tournament. In a change for the 2020 season, first round matchups will be played at district winners, which means the Lady Blazers will host Livingston Central, Henderson County, or Madisonville. Christian County will travel to Caldwell County, Webster County, or Crittenden County for their quarterfinal round matchup.
The draw is set for Friday morning.
