Led by some long service runs, the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers tuned up for this weekend’s 2nd Region All A Classic volleyball tournament by taking care of business against 8th District foe Fort Campbell Thursday night. The Lady Blazers came out firing and rolled to the straight set win over the Lady Falcons 25-8, 25-9, and 25-14.
The opening set saw the teams go back and forth early. With UHA leading 9-7, the Lady Blazers scored the next 12 points of the set. During that stretch, Evelyn Cotthoff had four service aces while UHA held serve. The Lady Blazers would then close out the set with a Sarah Peebles ace.
The second set was more of the same for the Lady Blazers. Fort Campbell, behind the play of Abigail Roby and Anika Weisbrich, took an early 5-3 lead. Enter Evelyn Cotthoff at the serve again. With Cotthoff serving, the Lady Blazers went on another run and took a 13-5 lead. Cotthoff racked up three more service aces during the run.
UHA would have one more long run during the second set, this time with Olivia Oakley at the serve. A 16-7 lead blew out to 23-7 with Oakley serving up four aces during the run. A Sarah Peebles aces closed out the set at 25-9 and gave the Lady Blazers a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Lady Blazers took the lead early in the third set with a 5-0 run keyed by two service aces from Julia Thomas. Claire Chewning was at the serve when UHA ripped off a quick 4-0 run that pushed the score out to 21-11. This time it was a Julia Thomas kill that ended the set and the match for the Lady Blazers.
In addition to the strong service performances, the Lady Blazers had big nights at the net from Olivia Oakley and Julia Thomas. Sarah Peebles once again set the table for her teammates with 23 assists.
Julia Thomas led the net attack with 9 kills. Evelyn Cotthoff added six of her own. Olivia Oakley had 5 kills, 8 aces, and 7 digs. Evelyn Cotthoff finished with 6 aces, 3 digs, and 2 kills.
UHA improves to 7-2 with the win and now gets ready for their All A opener against Livingston Central Saturday morning in Marion.
Fort Campbell drops to 2-2 on the season and will also be back on the court Saturday at Crittenden County in the 2nd Region All A Classic.
