Step one for the week is now in the books for the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers. The 2nd Region volleyball favorite looked every bit the part Monday night, dispatching Livingston Central in straight sets in the opening match of the tournament at Caldwell County High School.
This one was almost over as soon as it began. Behind big starts from Sarah Peebles, Suzie Tatum, and 2nd Region ‘Player of the Year’ Julia Thomas, the Lady Blazers scored the first ten points of the opening set. That trio continued to control play in the set as UHA rolled to a 25-12 win to go up one set to none.
With the early 10-0 lead, Coach Faye Hendricks was able to sub liberally in the set and get reserves some valuable regional tournament action.
Julia Thomas ended the set with four kills. Suzie Tatum added a kill and two service aces. Sarah Peebles had three aces and her usual stash of assists setting up her teammates.
Emersyn Ramage and Victoria Joiner had some key plays for Livingston Central, but it was not nearly enough to slow down the train that was dressed in green and gold.
As impressive as the start of the first set for UHA was, the second set was even more so. With Evelyn Cotthoff at the service line, University Heights scored the first 15 points of the second set, putting the Lady Cardinals in a hole that was far too deep to fly their way out. Julia Thomas, Chayse Gilliland, and Cotthoff led the attack for the Lady Blazers.
UHA would go on to claim the set 25-8. Again, with the big early lead, the Lady Blazers were able to sub frequently as they took a two-set-to-none lead in the match.
Chayse Gilliland had a huge set with six kills. Julia Thomas added five. Evelyn Cotthoff had two aces during that big run to open the set.
Ramage and Joiner had another nice set for Livingston Central, but the Lady Cardinals just had no way to slow down the Lady Blazers.
For a few moments early in the third set, Livingston Central hung with the Lady Blazers. For a few moments. Then, with the match tied at 4-4, UHA again dropped the hammer, and this time for good. With Suzie Tatum serving, the Lady Blazers got on another streak, and by the time the Lady Cardinals got their footing again, the match was over. UHA scored nine straight and took a 13-4 lead. From there it was just a matter of the final score as the Lady Blazer claimed the set 25-8 to complete the sweep and advance on to Wednesday night’s semifinals.
Claire Chewning had her best set of the night with four kills. Chayse Gilliland added three. Olivia Oakley finished her night strong with three kills and two aces in the final set. Julia Thomas asserted her presence, chipping in with three big blocks at the net.
Victoria Joiner had her best set of the night for Livingston Central with three kills. But on this night, the Lady Cardinals were just no match for the Lady Blazers.
For the night, Julia Thomas had ten kills to pace the Lady Blazers. Sarah Peebles continued to add to her career assist total with 27 more.
University Heights improves to 34-2 on the year. The Lady Blazers are 55-1 in sets against 2nd Region opponents.
Livingston Central sees its season end at 10-12.
