Christian County liked its start on Thursday, while Hopkinsville liked its finish.
The result was a straight-set volleyball win by Christian County at Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium that moved the Lady Colonels closer to the .500 mark at 3-5.
Christian County won the first two sets 25-13 and 25-6. The third set was much closer, featuring 12 ties and five lead changes before the Lady Colonels pulled out the 25-20 win.
The Lady Colonels’ net game was strong early with Skylar Kirby recording three kills and Emma Webster and Kaidence Atwell each notching two.
Ashlea Russell had three of her five aces in the opening set as the Lady Colonels turned a 10-8 advantage into a 21-10 lead thanks to an 11-2 run.
Madysen Taggart had five of her eight kills in the opening set for Hopkinsville.
The Lady Colonels romped to a 10-1 lead to begin the second set and notched eight aces in claiming the 25-6 win.
Hopkinsville did a good job of sustaining rallies in the third set as Saralynn Major had a pair of kills and Danajah Wheeler added two aces.
Tied at 19, the Lady Colonels ended the match on a 6-1 run behind three kills from Kirby.
The win was Christian County’s eighth straight in the series dating back to 2020. The schools will meet again on Sept. 16 at Tiger Gym.
Hopkinsville fell to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the district. They will host Hopkins County Central (5-3) on Monday and entertain Heritage Christian Academy (7-3) next Thursday.
Christian County (3-5, 3-0) will play three matches Saturday at Adair County against Whitley County (6-2), Southwestern (5-5), and Green County (7-5).
CHRISTIAN COUNTY STATS (unofficial)
Skylar Kirby – 13 kills, 3 aces
Ashlea Russell – 5 aces, 12 assists, 1 kill
Carly Armstrong – 4 kills
Kaidence Atwell – 4 kills, 2 aces, 1 block
Emma Webster – 3 kills, 1 block
Shiloh Baker – 3 aces, 2 assists, 1 kill
Adreyona Smith – 2 blocks, 2 kills
Peyton Owens – 2 aces
ZaKiyah Harrison – 1 ace
HOPKINSVILLE STATS (unofficial)
Madysen Taggart – 8 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace
Saralynn Major – 2 kills, 2 blocks
Danaja Wheeler – 2 aces
Kyleigh Weber – 3 assists, 2 aces
Brooke Stewart – 2 assists
Alayna King – 2 assists
Abriel Suber – 1 kill
Maliah Miller – 1 kill