University Heights Academy could have folded their tent several times during their regional tournament opener with Henderson County but continued to battle despite the straight set loss. Henderson, who has never dropped a region tourney opener since the current format was adopted in 2003, kept that streak alive with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-21 win over the Lady Blazers.
An 11-2 run by Henderson midway through the first set turned a 7-7 tie into an 18-9 Henderson lead. UHA closed the set on a 7-3 run before Libbie Dockemeyer won the set with a hard winner at the net.
Henderson appeared to be on their way to making quick work of the Lady Blazers in the second set when they jumped out to a 16-5 lead thanks to strong play at the net. But UHA continued to battle back as Katie Beth Stevens and Aisha Panitierre responded with strong net play of their own. UHA scored six straight points before Brooke Springer ended the set with a winner.
UHA appeared on their way to claiming the third set, leading 20-15. However, the Lady Colonels ended the set on a 10-1 run to win the match.
Lily Hendricks had eight kills and two aces for UHA, while Evelyn Morales added six kills, and Stevens had three kills and three blocks.
Dockemeyer and Hannah Watkins each had 14 kills for Henderson County, while Jordan Troutman and Kaylee Norman had 14 assists. Cayce Chaykowsky had 15 digs.
UHA fell to 0-6 all-time against Henderson County and saw their season end with a record of 14-20.
Henderson County (23-14) will play Madisonville Wednesday in the semifinals.
