The University Heights Academy Lady Blazers opened the volleyball season the way Coach Faye Hendricks wanted – in quick and convincing fashion.
UHA beat Hopkinsville 25-5, 25-10, 25-8 Tuesday for their 15th straight win over the Lady Tigers dating back to the 2017 district tournament.
“I think it was a great opener for us. I really saw my team go out aggressive and maintain our level of play” Hendricks said. “No matter how I mixed up our lineup, we still came out and we passed and killed the ball. I did tell them they need to be this aggressive against everybody across the net.”
The Lady Blazers used a 7-0 run in the opening set to grab a quick 9-2 lead and closed with a 10-0 spurt.
It was another 10-0 run in the second set that saw the Lady Blazers open up some space between them and the Lady Tigers.
UHA jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the third set and coasted to the match win.
Sarah Peebles had 24 assists for the Lady Blazers, with Julia Thomas and Chayse Gilliland contributing eight kills each. Olivia Oakley had eight aces, four kills, and three digs.
“One of the things that we’re working on is really communicating about what the other team is doing, whether it’s a good pass or a bad pass, and trying to anticipate where we go on defense,” Hendricks said. “I think that you could definitely hear them talking about those things.
And our transition looked smooth. Our passes were great, and we were able to run our offense.”
Madysen Lawrence had three blocks, three digs, and three aces for Hoptown with Ajayla Shiraef contributing five digs.
“I was looking for people to step up, and I had quite a few of them step up as leaders tonight, and really help the younger crew that I have coming up from the freshman team,” HHS Coach Laykin Peek said. “We do have some things to work on, but it’s one game. Let’s move on. We got Webster County on Thursday, and we’ll rock it out.”
UHA, meanwhile, makes the trip north Thursday to Henderson County, the team that ended the Lady Blazers’ season in last year’s region tournament.
“We have a real test on Thursday against Henderson County, and I hope that we got off on the right foot,” Hendricks said. “We need to maintain our level, set the pace and control the pace, and play together regardless of what’s going on, whether we’re down or we’re up or whatever.”
