For a stretch of the match Monday night, it looked as if the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers were ready to pick up their first win over the Hopkins County Central Lady Storm on the volleyball court in five years. But, the Lady Storm, after having some struggles early in the match, came battling back to get past the Lady Tigers in four sets at Tiger Gym.
Behind strong play from Madysen Taggart, the Lady Tigers wound up winning a back-and-forth opening set 25-23. The Lady Storm did not help their cause any at the service line as Hopkins County Central finished the first set with 8 service errors.
The second set was another close back-and-forth set. At one point, Hopkinsville led 15-8, only to see the Lady Storm come battling back to take the set 27-25 and even the match at one set each. Calajia Mason and Aalycia Stringer played huge roles in the comeback for Hopkins County Central.
Not much changed in the third set as it was a battle down to the wire. After falling behind 22-20, Hopkins County Central ‘stormed’ back to score the final five points of the set to win 25-22 and go up two sets to one in the match.
Mason, Stringer, and Mallory Wagoner led the way for the Lady Storm in the set.
Hopkins County Central appeared to find its stride in the fourth set. Led by Aalycia Stringer, the Lady Storm jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Lady Tigers would close to within two at 10-8 behind big efforts from Madysen Taggart and Abriel Surber.
The Lady Storm firmly took control of the set with an 8-1 spurt that took the lead to 18-9. Hopkins County Central went on to win the set 25-17 and the match three sets to one.
Hopkins County Central (6-2) now heads to Webster County Tuesday night to take on Murray in the Kentucky 2A Championships.
Hopkinsville (1-5) is back in action Thursday night at home when the Lady Tigers matchup against Heritage Christian in an 8th District contest.
