Earlier this year, Madisonville ended one long streak to Caldwell County, snapping a 35-match losing skid that dated back over 15 years.
On Tuesday, the Lady Maroons snapped another one, beating Caldwell in four sets to claim the 7th district title and end Caldwell’s title run at 14 years.
With the 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-11 win, Madisonville will host a first-round region tournament game next week, while Caldwell County will open on the road. The semifinals and championship will be played at Crittenden County.
The first three sets were back and forth affairs, featuring 23 ties. Madisonville broke a 3-3 tie in the opening set and got out to a 14-5 lead. Caldwell got as close as 15-10, but consecutive kills by Kendrea White sparked a 7-1 Lady Maroon run.
Down 24-13, Caldwell scored four straight points before Madisonville clinched the set.
The second set featured 11 ties and five lead changes. Lilly Hoard had three kills in the set for Caldwell who broke a 16-16 tie with six straight points. Kaitlyn Orange tried to lead the Lady Maroons back with three winners to get them to within 23-21. However, Caldwell won the final two points with the set winner coming on an ace from Kyndra Winters — Caldwell’s first ace of the night.
The third set was much of the same with nine ties between the teams. At 16-16, Madisonville took a 19-16 lead on three straight kills from White. The Lady Maroons led 23-19 and 24-21 before watching Caldwell creep back to within 24-23 on a winner by Katie Menser. Madisonville captured the next point to close out the set.
With all of the momentum on its side, Madisonville raced out to a 9-3 lead in the fourth set. Caldwell got as close as five points, but the Lady Maroons scored eight straight points to take command. White closed out the match with her 14th kill of the night.
Orange added 15 kills, and Arian Gregory had 18 digs.
Caldwell County [19-18] got nine kills and 14 digs from Mary Tays. Hoard and Savannah Scott each added seven kills, and Adison Sullenger had 30 assists.
The district title is the first for Madisonville [20-8] since 2009.
MADISONVILLE CLINCHES THE DISTRICT TITLE
MADISONVILLE WINS THE FIRST SET
KYNDRA WINTERS’ ACE GIVES CALDWELL SECOND SET WIN
MADISONVILLE WINS THE THIRD SET
