It was one of those matches where it was a shame that someone had to lose. University Heights Academy and Webster County squared off Tuesday in Blazer Gym in a quarterfinal round matchup in the 2nd Region volleyball tournament. In a match that had wild momentum swings and saw the two teams battle it out from the opening whistle, the Lady Trojans outlasted the Lady Blazers 3-1 to advance on to Wednesday night’s semifinals at Crittenden County High School.
The set scores were a perfect indication of just how closely matched up the two teams were. Webster County won the match 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, and 25-23
Early in the first set, it looked as if the Lady Trojans were ready to roll through the night. Webster County jumped out to a 16-9 lead behind the play of Audrie Ellis and Mary Kate Rakestraw. The Lady Blazers were not about to that easy in the opening set, however. UHA came roaring back to tie the set at 21-21. The set would be tied at 22 and 23 before Webter County found a way to score the final two points of the set to take the 25-23 win.
Sarah Peebles had a big opening set for UHA, finishing with eight assists and a service ace. Julia Thomas had four kills for the Lady Blazers.
Webster County got another quick start in the second set, taking an early 5-1 lead. UHA again rallied, coming back to even things up at 7-7. From there it was like two heavyweight fighters standing in the middle of the ring and just letting it fly with everything they have. The rest of the set would see the score tied at 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22. Getting big plays from Claire Chewning and Sarah Peebles, the Lady Blazers would score three straight to take the set 25-22.
Peebles had six more assists in the second set. She also had two kills. Claire Chewning ended the set with four kills for UHA.
The third set was like the second, only in reverse. This time it was the Lady Blazers getting off to the quick start and jumping out to a 9-4 lead. Webster County battled back to tie the set at 11 and the battle was on again. The set would then be tied at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. With the set tied, the Lady Trojans staggered the Lady Blazers with a 4 point run to go up 22-18. Webster would go on to take the set 25-22 and go up two sets to one in the match.
Sarah Peebles had eight assists in the set. Julia Thomas added four kills and two blocks. Olivia Oakley and Suzie Comperry added three kills each.
The fourth set opened with the two teams trading points. The set would be tied early at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Webster County then got some key plays from Rakestraw and Ellis, along with Maggie Jones, and ran out to a 16-10 lead. Just as it were looking as if they would put the Lady Blazers on ice, UHA found one more run. Behind the play of Sarah Peebles, Julia Thomas, and Olivia Oakley, the Lady Blazers outscored Webster 9-1 to take a 19-17 lead and things appeared to be headed for a 5th set.
However, a couple of miscommunication issues for the Lady Blazers and a couple of big plays for the Lady Trojans would swing things back Webster County’s way as the Lady Trojans came back and took a 23-20 lead. UHA fought back again to tie the match at 23-23. Webster County then put together back-to-back points at just the right time to take the set 25-23 and close out the match three sets to one.
For the night, Sarah Peebles led the UHA effort, finishing with 29 assists. Julia Thomas added 15 kills. Olivia Oakley ended the night with 11 kills, while Claire Chewning added seven.
Mary Kate Rakestraw led Webster County with 14 kills. Maggie Jones added 10. Kylie Hardison had 25 assists for Webster County. Audrie Ellis chipped in with 8 service aces for the Lady Trojans.
Webster County improves to 18-15 on the season. The Lady Trojans advance to take on Caldwell County in Wednesday night’s second semifinal.
UHA finishes the season at 20-14.
