Madisonville-North Hopkins survived a long second set and used its power at the net to hand University Heights Academy a straight-set loss Tuesday on Don Parsons Court.
The Lady Maroons never trailed in taking the first set 25-15. Kendrea White had five of her 12 kills in the opening set. Kaitlyn Orange added four kills.
Madisonville began the second set strong again leading 11-6 and stretching the lead to 19-14. UHA battled back to tie the set at 22. Facing set point at 24-22, the Lady Blazers tied the match at 24 and 25 apiece. Up 27-26, a UHA service error gave Madisonville a side out. An ace by Leah Moody and a kill by Ellie Hughes ended the set with a 29-27 Madisonville win.
The third set was tied at 1, 2, and 4. Madisonville extended its lead to 8-5. UHA got to within one point six times in the set but could not force another tie. The Lady Maroons then used a 9-2 run to put the set away and claim the 25-19 win.
Madisonville was hampered by 12 attack errors in the match (UHA had eight), but the Lady Blazers had 10 service errors — several at key points in the match — and just three aces.
Julia Thomas had a game-high 16 kills for UHA. Olivia Oakley had four kills and Claire Chewning added three. Chayse Gilliland had two aces.
Orange had 13 kills for Madisonville and two aces. White had 12 kills and Hughes had three. Madisonville had 11 aces.
Madisonville leads the all-time series 14-10 and has won seven straight against the Lady Blazers.
