The Hopkinsville Lady Tigers picked up their first 8th District volleyball championship by outlasting University Heights in five sets Wednesday night. The match was one that carried wide momentum swings, with no set ending up closer than a seven point spread.
UHA opened the match rolling through the first set behind the play of Evelyn Morales, winning the set 25-13. Hopkinsville then returned the favor by the same score in the second set. Hope Pace and Zakyra Stallworth had strong efforts for the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Blazers got back on a roll in the third set, behind the play of Morales, Lily Hendricks, and Aisha Pantiere, and won the set 25-18. Back came the Lady Tigers once again. With Hope Pace and Sarah Cavanah leading the way, Hopkinsville broke open a close set about half way through and pulled away for a 25-17 win.
In the fifth and deciding set, Hopkinsville got out to a quick lead behind the efforts of Karalyn Beymer and never looked back, winning the set 15-6 and the match 3 sets to 2. Both teams will now advance on to the 2nd Region Tournament next week at Trigg County High School.
Hopkinsville moves on with a record of 20-17, while UHA goes into the regional with a record of 14-19.
