Heritage Christian Academy got Caldwell County again as the defending 2nd Region champion Lady Warriors are back in the regional semifinals.
HCA needed four sets to oust the Lady Tigers in the opening round on Tuesday, dealing Caldwell a 25-19, 25-9, 18-25, 25-21 setback at Hopkins County Central High School.
The Lady Warriors (16-18) will return to Mortons Gap on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. semifinal matchup against Webster County (22-6).
The Lady Trojans got past Crittenden County in straight sets, 25-8, 25-16, 25-17, in Tuesday’s late match.
Heritage Christian eliminated Caldwell in the regional semifinals last season. HCA also knocked the Lady Tigers out of the 2nd Region All A Classic earlier this season.
Caldwell, which finishes the season 17-11, got off to a good start in the regional tournament.
The Lady Tigers ran out to a 13-7 lead midway through the opening set.
However, Heritage Christian countered by running off seven straight points to get the lead. Caldwell was within 19-18 late in the set before the Lady Warriors finished strong to get the win.
HCA dominated the second set while taking a 2-0 lead — scoring the final six points to put an exclamation mark on the set.
Caldwell kept the match alive with a strong third set. The Lady Tigers opened up a 7-1 lead early and were never headed. Caldwell scored the final four points to extend the contest.
The fourth set was tied seven times — the last at 19-19. But HCA scored five straight points to go up 24-19 before finishing off the match.
Hadlee Hayes had 10 kills and 18 digs to help lead the HCA attack. Bralee Fowler had eight kills, a block, 22 digs and three aces.
Makenzie McCarty totaled 24 assists, two kills, 11 digs and six aces. Emma Dalke recorded four kills, a block, two digs and two aces.
Hannah Phelps tallied three kills. Taylor Barbee had two kills and five digs.
Allie Craft added 16 digs. Charity Chambers recorded 12 digs.
Meanwhile, Kylee White had a big game for Caldwell with 19 assists, 18 digs, two kills and two aces. Med Thomas added seven kills and four digs.
Chevy McGowan recorded four kills, a block and 11 digs. Laylay Shearer had four kills, three blocks and two digs.
Troy Freeman totaled three kills and an ace. Mycah Riddle had 19 digs and an assist.
Grace Watson had a kill and three digs. Tink Clark recorded 12 digs. Maddie Cooper had seven digs and an ace.
The Lady Warriors have taken five straight matches from Caldwell. HCA leads the all-time series 6-3.
Wednesday’s first semifinal at 5:30 will pit Christian County and Henderson County.
The championship match is set for Thursday night at 6:00.
