When it comes to crunch time, team leaders, especially seniors, are expected to step up and help push through a difficult situation. The Christian County Lady Colonels found themselves in one such situation Tuesday evening.
The upstart Univeristy Heights Academy Lady Blazers had just handily taken the fourth set in their 8th District match and appeared to have all of the momentum as the two teams headed into the deciding 5th set all tied up at two sets each.
Step to the stage Skylar Kirby. The Christian County senior came up with some crucial plays down the stretch as the Lady Colonels won the 5th set 15-8 to close out the match and complete their regular season sweep over the Lady Blazers.
Kirby had three kills and an ace during the deciding set. She also got some important help from Kaidence Atwell and Ashlea Russell as the Lady Colonels picked up their 4th district win of the season.
Christian County opened the night strong, winning the first set 25-14.
The young UHA team did not wither under the big start from the Lady Colonels, battling back to win the second set 25-23.
Christian County fought its way through a tough third set to take a 25-22 win to go up two sets to one in the match.
The Lady Colonels seemed to have the momentum flowing in their direction as they got out to an 8-3 lead in the fourth set. Led by a big effort from Taylor Cantrell, the Lady Blazers reached down and came fighting back and took a 14-10 lead. UHA then closed out the set with the final eight points to get a 25-15 win and even the match at two sets each.
After three early ties in the 5th set, Christian County moved out to a 10-5 lead and held on to close out the match, winning the final set 15-8.
For the Lady Blazers, Olivia Oakley had 13 kills, while Taylor Cantrell and Kiley Lambert added six each.
UHA had 10 aces for the night, led by Olivia Oakley with 4 and Katherine Wood with 3. Gretchen Durham led the Lady Blazers with 27 assists.
Christian County (9-13) is back in action Thursday on the road at Heritage Christian.
University Heights Academy (6-15) is set to host Graves County Thursday evening.
