Heritage Christian Academy survived a tension-filled comeback attempt by Caldwell County and advanced to the Region 2 Volleyball Tournament semifinals with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night at Hopkins County Central High School.
The Lady Warriors won the first two sets, 25-20 and 25-9, before suffering a 25-18 setback in the third set. The Lady Tigers led the fourth set 19-18 before the Lady Warriors won seven of the next nine points to secure the match, 25-21.
Bralee Fowler battled through an injury to provide some key serves and kills during the final run for the Lady Warriors. Fowler finished with eight kills, 22 digs, three aces, and a block.
Hadlee Hayes also provided some timely kills in the final set. The sophomore had 10 kills and 18 digs. Makenzie McCarty also played a key role in the win as she finished with two kills, 24 assists, 11 digs, and six aces.
The Lady Warriors appeared to have Caldwell County, which had won eight straight matches entering Tuesday night, on the ropes after the second set.
However, the Lady Tigers showed fight and opened the third set with 11 of the first 15 points. HCA was within 13-11, but another 5-1 spurt by the Lady Tigers helped them force a fourth set.
In the fourth, Caldwell jumped out to a 4-0 lead only to see the Lady Warriors score the next five points. The teams were tied seven times the rest of the set, including the final time at 19-19.
Charity Chambers had two aces during the critical HCA run. She added 12 digs in the match. Allie Craft also had 16 digs and Emma Dalke provided four kills, two aces and a block.
HCA improves to 16-18 on the season and will take on District 6 runner-up Webster County at 7 p.m. tonight in Morton’s Gap. Webster swept Crittenden County in Tuesday’s nightcap. The Lady Trojans knocked off the Lady Warriors 2-1 in their only meeting this season.
In the first semifinal match tonight, District 8 champion Christian County will meet District 6 winner Henderson County at 5:30 p.m. Henderson has won both matches with Christian County this season.
The championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.
Photos by Joe Wilson