Heritage Christian Academy claimed its first District 8 Volleyball Tournament title in school history Thursday night with a 3-1 win over Christian County in front of a full and raucous gym at University Heights Academy.
Mya Goodwin led the way for HCA with 23 kills, five aces, and 14 digs. Katie Cansler had seven kills, two aces, and 10 digs. Bralee Fowler had five blocks, two kills and three aces and Grace Conlee had five kills and three blocks to lead HCA (21-5).
HCA coach Grace Stewart said winning the championship was a total school effort.
In the first set, HCA used a 5-1 run midway through to pull away for a 25-18 win. However, Christian County answered in the second set. Two straight aces by Peyton Owens gave the Lady Colonels an 8-7 lead they would never relinquish on the way to a 25-18 win.
The third set belonged to the Lady Warriors, who used an 11-1 spurt to take a 13-3 advantage. The Lady Colonels were able to get to within 17-8, but that was as close as they could get as Heritage won the set 25-14.
In the fourth set, Heritage again jumped out to an early lead, but the Lady Colonels refused to go quietly and rallied from an 8-5 deficit to claim a 17-16 lead. The two teams were tied several more times before the Lady Colonels opened up a 20-18 advantage.
HCA rallied to tie the game at 20 before the Lady Colonels scored three of the next four points for a 23-21 advantage.
However, the Lady Warriors scored four straight and Goodwin’s final kill of the night sent the HCA student section, fans, and parents onto the floor to celebrate with the team.
Christian County fell to 12-18 and were led by Skylar Kirby’s 11 kills, five aces and a block. Kaidance Atwell had seven kills and four aces and Ashlea Russell provided three aces, three blocks and a kill for the Lady Colonels. Owens finished with four aces and Emma Webster had four blocks.
Lady Colonels’ coach Samantha Self said her team hurt itself with a slow start.
Both teams qualify for the Region 2 tournament next week at Hopkinsville High School.
Photos by Joe Wilson