University Heights Academy played host to Hopkinsville in a District 8 volleyball match on Tuesday night and for the third time this season, the Lady Blazers came away with a straight-set victory.
A week after beating Hoptown 3-0 at Tiger Gym and nearly a month after beating the Lady Tigers 2-0 in the Christian County Smackdown, Gretchen Durham led the Lady Blazers to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-19) win.
Durham finished the night with three kills, a block, 13 assists, and five digs while teammates Megan Long had five kills and two aces, and Nyati Patel finished with four kills, a block, and four digs.
UHA looked to have the first set in firm control before Hoptown battled back to draw within 21-18. Madysen Taggart’s spike looked to have drawn Hoptown to within two, but the Lady Tigers were called for being in the net and UHA was able to close out the set with the next three points.
The Lady Blazers grabbed control of the second set early and then held off a feisty Lady Tigers squad in the third set to grab the win.
Taggart led Hoptown with six kills, a block, two digs, and an ace. Kyleigh Weber added five digs and two aces and Alayna King had five assists and an ace.
UHA also had a strong game from Niyona Brown with three kills and Cassidy Keller, who provided nine aces and five digs.
The Lady Blazers improved to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in District 8 play. Hoptown is now 2-11 overall and 0-3 in the district.
UHA is scheduled to play host to Todd County Central on Monday. Hopkinsville is back in action next Tuesday night at home against Trigg County.
Photos by Joe Wilson