The service game played a big role in Hopkinsville’s season-opening win over Trigg County Monday at Tiger Gym.
Hoptown served up 17 aces in the 25-20, 25-19, 25-22 but 11 service aces kept the Lady Wildcats in the match at key times.
Allison Luttrell had seven aces including four in the third set that sparked the Lady Tigers to a 20-12 lead. However, Trigg County wouldn’t go away. Like they did in the previous two sets, they refused to be put away by Hoptown.
Lillian McKelvey had a pair of kills to help Trigg rally to tie the third set at 22. However, a Trigg service error gave Hoptown the serve where they closed out the set and the match with two straight points.
Hoptown never trailed in the first set but six service errors kept them from putting away the set once they led 17-9. Trigg got as close as 20-18 but couldn’t draw closer.
The second set featured seven ties with the last at 15-15. Lutrell again keyed a run with four aces to push the Hoptown lead to 23-16. Ajayla Shiraef racked up four of her game-high eight kills in the set.
Rilee Joiner had four aces and two kills for Hoptown and Amy Toms had three aces.
Grace White had three aces for Trigg County, who had seven aces as a team. The Lady Wildcats also had 10 service errors in the match.
McKelvey also had three kills for Trigg County.
The win gave Laykin Peek her first win as Hoptown head coach. It was also the Lady Tigers’ 10th straight win over Trigg County and 16th in 17 meetings dating back a decade.
Hopkinsville travels to Madisonville Tuesday, while Trigg County has a district match at Livingston Central.
