Henderson County tops HCA for region volleyball title

All year long Heritage Christian Academy’s volleyball team has scratched, clawed, and fought each night.

The same could be said Thursday night when the Lady Warriors battled Henderson County for the Region 2 Volleyball Tournament championship at Hopkins County Central High School.

But in the end, it was the powerful front line of the Lady Colonels who prevailed 3-0 and send Henderson to its first region volleyball title since 2021.

First-year coach Ashton Craft said she was proud of the way her young team played against a talented Henderson squad.

The Lady Colonels jumped out to big leads in the first set winning 25-17.

But HCA showed its grit, getting out to a 12-5 lead and forcing a Henderson timeout. From that point on, the Lady Colonels began chipping away at the lead.

Eventually, Henderson (28-9) tied the game at 19-19 and again at 20-20.

HCA looked to have the match in hand, taking a 23-20 lead, but Henderson scored the next three points to tie the score at 23-23. The Lady Warriors took its last lead at 24-23 before Henderson scored the next three points to take the set 26-24.

Heritage Christian, which won the 2024 Region 2 title, finishes its season at 17-19.

Craft said she was excited about the future of her team, which has most of its team returning next season.

Sophomore Hadlee Hayes had 10 kills and 11 digs and Bralee Fowler added four kills, 11 digs, and an ace to lead the Lady Warriors. Taylor Barbee also had four kills and 11 digs. Makenzie McCarty had 19 assists, 10 digs, and a block. Allie Craft provided 13 digs.

Henderson advances to the KHSAA State Tournament on Monday to take on Region 3 champion Apollo.

Photos by Joe Wilson