There are times when you watch an athletic team over the course of several seasons that you can see them building for ‘that season’, one of those years where the talent comes to a peak where the possibility truly exists for a special run. The University Heights Academy Blazers look like they could be one of those teams for the 2023 high school volleyball season.
UHA finished the 2022 season with a record of 26-13. The Lady Blazers won another 8th District championship and reached the 2nd Region semifinals before losing to Henderson County. University Heights also won the 2nd Region All A Classic championship, earning a trip to Richmond for the All A Classic state tournament.
The Lady Blazers finished the season as the third-highest ranked team in the region in terms of RPI, behind only region-champion Madisonville and runner-up Henderson County.
Oh, and by the way, the Lady Blazers return 10 players that saw action in at least 25 matches last season. So the high expectations do not come without just cause.
Experience will be a huge advantage for UHA this season. With 9 seniors who have played together for a while, the Lady Blazers should not have much of a ‘learning each other’ curve to start the season off. Combine that with the talent that returns, and you can see why the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association had the Lady Blazers as the preseason co-favorites in the 2nd Region, along with Henderson County.
When looking at the 2023 Lady Blazers, you start up front. Julia Thomas returns at the net for UHA. Thomas, who has signed with Florida International, finished last season with 399 kills and 79 blocks. Thomas can be a powerful attacker and figures to be a big matchup problem for opponents.
Thomas is not the only weapon the Lady Blazers have at the net either. Junior Olivia Oakley and senior Claire Chewning combined for 322 kills last season. Chewning added 36 blocks to her totals, while Oakley was a service line threat with 48 service aces.
Senior Sara Peebles is one of the best setters in the state. During 2022, she just missed getting to the 800 mark in assists, finishing with 795. She also led the Lady Blazers with 63 service aces.
Senior Evelyn Cotthoff played a key role in getting the attack started for the Lady Blazers, finishing the 2022 season with a team-high 296 digs. Senior Susie Comperry gives the Lady Blazers a versatile weapons to use in any number of situations.
And then, there is the ‘youngster’ of the bunch. Up-and-coming 8th grader Chayse Gilliland played in 95 sets last year and finished second on the team in blocks and assists.
Lainey Walker, Maddie Meacham, Margaret Rinehart, and Gargi Shah will provide depth for the Lady Blazers in 2023.
The schedule is one that will test the Lady Blazers over the course of the season with matches that include Henderson County, Apollo, Madisonville, and Todd County Central. UHA will also play in the Apollo Summer Slam and the wRECK @ The Plex.
The Lady Blazers will open the season Tuesday evening as they host Hopkinsville in an 8th District matchup.
