There will be a new 2nd Region All A Classic volleyball champion this year. That was made official Thursday night as the Crittenden County Lady Rockets took a straight-set win over the University Heights Academy Blazers in Blazer Gym.
Now, it does need to be noted that the UHA Lady Blazer team that took to the court is quite different than the team that dominated the rest of the 2nd Region all season long in 2023. Nine seniors graduated off that team, senior Olivia Oakley is coming off a serious off-season knee injury and Chayse Gilliland now plays for the Bowling Green Lady Purples.
So while the Lady Blazers have some up-and-coming talent, they are a very young and inexperienced team this season. And, Crittenden County was able to take full advantage of that Thursday night.
Led by the play of Olivia Oakley, Taylor Cantrell, and Kiley Lambert, the Lady Blazers jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the opening set. UHA was leading 12-7 in the first set when the bottom fell out of the bucket. Paced by Riley Kirby and Braelyn Merrill, Crittenden County scored 11 straight points to go up 18-12. The Lady Rockets would go on to take the set 25-17. Hadley Myers ended up with three kills in the set for Crittenden County.
The Lady Rockets had another big run in the second set. This time it came early on. With UHA leading 2-1, Crittenden County scored 9 straight points to take a 10-2 lead.
The Lady Blazers would pull within 20-14 late in the set only to see the Lady Rockets close out the match with the final 5 points of the second set to take a 25–14 win and take the match two sets to none.
Olivia Oakley and Kiley Lambert had a pair of kills each for the Lady Blazers. Taylor Cantrell had two service aces.
Hadley Myers had a big night for the Lady Rockets, finishing with 5 kills.
Crittenden County advances to face Heritage Christian in Saturday morning’s first All A regional semifinal. Fort Campbell will play Livingston Central in the second semifinal. The championship game is set for 11am Saturday. The semifinals and final will be played at Heritage Christian.
UHA drops to 3-6 with the loss. The Lady Blazers are set to host Henderson County Monday evening.
