It was almost a perfect weekend for the UHA Lady Blazers. After winning their pool Friday evening, the Lady Blazers made it all the way to the championship game of the gold bracket at the Apollo Summer Slam before suffering their first loss of the season, falling to defending 3rd Region champion Breckinridge County in the title game in straight sets.
The day began for UHA with a matchup against Green County, out of the 5th Region. Much like they had Friday evening, the Lady Blazers started off slow, losing the first set 25-19. UHA fell behind earlly in the second set before roaring back to take the win 25-19. The deciding third set had fans of both schools sitting on the edge of their seats. The Lady Blazers looked to be in control with a 9-4 lead, but saw the Lady Dragons come back to take a 13-11 lead of their own. UHA then finished out strong to take the match with a 17-15 win.
The Lady Blazers had 21 team kills lead by middles Katie Beth Stevens and Clarissa Miller who each posted 7 kills. Outside hitter Evelyn Morales and libero Lily Hendricks each added 3 kills. The Blazers only had 4 service aces, but had 5 blocks.
The first win of the day set up a rematch of last year’s 2nd Region championship game between UHA and Henderson County. The Lady Colonels opened quickly, however the Lady Blazers fought over the course of the set and finally got a 25-22 win. The second set ended almost as quickly as it started. The Lady Blazers scored the first seven points of the set and never looked back, cruising to a 25-15 win to complete the sweep over Henderson County.
The Lady Blazers had 22 team kills led by middle Clarissa Miller with 8 kills (3 digs)and outside hitter Meghan Adams with 7 kills (1 ace, 3 blocks, and 6 digs). Also contributing were Evelyn Morales (3 kills, 1 ace, and 9 digs), Lily Hendricks (2 kills, 1 ace, & 12 digs), and Beth Peebles and Katie Beth Stevens with one a piece. Peebles had 18 set assists. UHA had 3 service aces and 3 blocks.
That win set up a gold bracket championship match against Breckinridge County, who won the 3rd Region in 2018. Behind the play of Natalie Henning, the Lady Tigers took control of the 1st set about half way through and rolled on to a 25-16 win. The second set was a battle. Both teams had their chances, as the lead swung back and forth. Breckinridge County was able to get enough done late to close out the match with a 25-22 win.
The Lady Blazers had 14 team kills and 2 team aces total in the match.
UHA finishes the weekend with a record of 4-1. The Lady Blazers will return to action September 4th in the 2nd Region All A Classic against Crittenden County.