It’s been a year of more ups than downs for the Caldwell County Lady Tigers, but the season hit a high point Tuesday night.
Caldwell turned away every challenge from Madisonville-North Hopkins to sweep three sets and claim the 7th District volleyball championship on Madisonville’s home floor.
The Lady Tigers are 11-3 in their last 14 matches this season, and have taken two straight from Madisonville since falling in Maroon Gym in five sets on Sept. 5.
It’s the second straight district championship for Caldwell County, which has won 16 of the last 18 district titles. Madisonville interrupted that streak when it claimed championships in 2021 and 2022.
Madisonville (9-23) led 9-8 early in the first set before Caldwell won seven straight points to turn things around. The Lady Tigers went on to win 25-16.
The Lady Maroons battled all the way through the second set, and even led 19-17 while trying to even the match. Again, though, Caldwell rallied to get the lead, then held on for a 25-22 triumph.
In the third set, Madisonville overcame a slow start to tie things at 9-9 and 12-12. But Caldwell (18-9) took six of the next seven points and went on to post a 25-15 victory to end the match.
Caldwell’s Brylee, Rylee and Kylee Trio put up big numbers.
Brylee Butts totaled 12 kills, three blocks and three digs while Rylee Thompson had six kills, 12 digs, two aces and an assist. Kylee White had 24 assists, a kill, a dig and three aces.
The Lady Tigers also got four kills, two blocks and a dig from Benashka Thomas and three kills, a block and seven digs from Chevy McGowan.
Medeline Thomas had a kill, a block and four digs. Mycah Riddle had a kill and seven digs.
Anna Giltz added six digs and two aces. Morgan Aikins had eight digs and an ace. Maddie Cooper had two aces.
For Madisonville, Mackenzie Stoltz had 11 kills, five digs and an ace while Leah Moody recorded six kills and seven digs.
Morgan Buntin had three kills, a block and a dig. Keira Williams had two kills, two blocks four digs and an ace.
The Lady Maroons also got nine digs and an ace from Avery Rudd. Katie Beth Sutton had three digs and an ace. Myla Hughes had one block. Sydney Skeen, Mashyla McAdoo and Carlee Sandidge each had a dig.
Both Caldwell and Madisonville will play in the 2nd Region tournament next week. The draw is scheduled for Friday, with first round action expected on Monday and Tuesday at Hopkinsville High School.
