The Crittenden County Lady Rockets opened the 2023 volleyball season with a straight-set win over Heritage Christian Academy Monday.
The Lady Rockets, picked third in the preseason by the region’s coaches, had a tough time putting the Lady Warriors away before claiming the 25-15, 25-23, 25-12 win.
“I knew we were going to come out a little nervous, a little stiff. It always happens, you know, the opening game of the season,” said Crittenden County Coach Bayley McDonald. “But, we’re really excited. I know we’ve got a few kinks to work out. We’re just kind of feeling some things out, but it always feels good to come out with a win on the road for your first game.”
Crittenden County has one of the better front lines in the region and used that advantage repeatedly. Carly Porter had 14 kills, while Katie Perryman added eight.
The opening set featured four ties before Crittenden used an 8-3 run to take a 14-9 lead. Heritage got to within 15-13 but an 8-1 Crittenden run sealed the opening set win.
Crittenden appeared on its way to an easy second-set win but the young and scrappy Lady Warriors played solid defense against Crittenden’s big hitters.
Down 20-13, Katie Cansler sparked a 7-2 run with two kills and an ace. The run was capped by a Bralee Fowler kill after a long point.
“They didn’t give up. They got down a lot and they kept pushing. And they didn’t let a ball drop without going for it, putting their body on the floor. They’re scrappy,” HCA Coach Grace Stewart said. “In that second set, I think they were working hard and putting it together.”
Heritage pushed the set to 24-23 before falling 25-23.
The third set featured six ties before a 15-3 Crittenden run put some distance between them and HCA. The Lady Rockets later clinched the 25-12 win.
Riley Smith had 25 assists for the Lady Rockets with Perryman adding five aces.
“I’ve got a lot of strong, tall girls. A lot of my varsity have been playing club for a while and varsity for a while, so I think they handled it well,” McDonald said. “I want to see us kind of get in a routine and get really comfortable in the rotation.”
Cansler led HCA with eight kills and two aces. Fowler and McKenzie McCarty each had three kills. McCarty also had 10 digs and six assists.
“We did a much better job in that second set to be able to start reading where they were going, putting it up where we could attack and put them on the defensive as well,” Stewart said. “We need to work on some coverage, and keep working on attacking, attacking, attacking, and making them work for it.”
Both teams will face Christian County for their next match. Crittenden travels to Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium Tuesday, while HCA hosts the Lady Colonels Thursday.
