Eldridge Rogers coached Heritage Christian Academy to its last Kentucky Christian Athletic Association state volleyball title 10 years ago. And while the long-time coach and teacher passed away in May, it’s safe to say he was with the team Saturday as they won the state title Saturday in Nicholasville.
The Lady Warriors beat Community Christian of Independence in three sets (25-15, 25-27, 25-15) to claim the state volleyball title. The championship is the third for the Lady Warrior volleyball program. The latest banner will hang next to titles won in 2010 and 2011.
Coach Grace Waldron Stewart was a sophomore on the 2011 team that won the state title with Rogers as head coach. She was also named to the all-tournament team. She said her former coach and the former coach of many of this year‘s players remained in their hearts and minds throughout the season. She added they dedicated both the season and the state championship to Rogers’ memory.
After moving into the semi-finals with a pair of wins Friday, Heritage Christian Academy beat Community 25-17, 23-25, 25-22 in the afternoon session to advance to the championship match. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Community knocked off North Hardin Christian in the consolation final to advance to the championship match.
Heritage Christian Academy never trailed in the first set, scoring the first seven points and jumping out to an 11-3 lead. Elle Heltsley was dominant at the net with five kills and a block.
Community got to within seven points one other time until tournament MVP Mýa Goodwin scored three of HCA’s next four points to put them ahead 17-7. Tori Sutton had a pair of kills, and Goodwin, who was named the tournament MVP, scored three of HCA’s next four points to help them claim the set.
The second set was much closer and featured seven ties. Down 23-21, Goodwin responded with an ace, and Lexi Crisp had an ace to tie the set at 23. Tied at 25, Community scored the final two points of the set to even the match. Heritage had another quick start in the third set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. Community got to within 9-8 but Heritage responded with five straight points to take a 14-8 lead.
Heritage took control of the set with a 7-1 run highlighted by a pair of Peach aces and two kills by Goodwin. The Lady Warriors were able to close out the set to take the 25-15 win.
The championship match featured the top two seeds in the KCAA tournament. Neither Heritage Christian nor Community had dropped a match to a conference opponent in the regular season. Heritage Christian, who became a probationary member of the KHSAA over the summer, posted a 32-6 record. They were 7-5 against KHSAA schools during the season.
Bailey Craft joined Peach and Goodwin on the all-tournament team.
