Hillsboro Christian Academy handed first loss of season

By Colin Ryan
The Highland County Press

CHILLICOTHE – The Hillsboro Christian Academy Lady Crusaders traveled to Ross County Christian Academy to take on the Lady Eagles for their fourth volleyball game of the season on Aug. 22. 

The Lady Eagles won their first game of the season against the Lady Crusaders in four sets by scores of 25-19, 25-23 and25-19 with the Lady Crusaders taking the second set 25-16. The Lady Crusaders drop to 3-1 on the season with the loss to RCCA.

Sophomore Annie Henderson led the Lady Crusaders in assists and playable passes with 15 and 35, respectively. Freshman Alanna Stoltzfus and sophomore Taylor Barber led the team in serving aces with four apiece. Carlee Puckett led the team in kills and hits in play with seven and 15, respectively.

Stoltzfus and Barber led the way for the Lady Crusaders in the opening set, combining for 12 of the 19 total points for the team. Their serving efforts helped keep the team’s hopes of winning the opening set alive, but Riley Elliot of RCCA scored 13 points of her own in the opening set, giving her team the edge early as they won 25-19.

Senior Nevada Warner of HCA took charge in the second set coming in off the bench. Warner had a run of four and another of three to lead the Lady Crusaders with seven points. Stoltzfus added six of her own to Warner’s seven to help the team win the second set 25-16.

The third and fourth sets went in favor of RCCA. The third set was a tight battle, ending 25-23 with the Lady Crusaders crawling back from an early deficit. The Lady Crusaders trailed throughout the fourth and final set, earning their first loss of the season.

The Lady Crusaders go on the road again for their next game, traveling to Fayette Christian School on Aug. 28. The HCA Lady Crusaders look to bounce back from their first loss as they take on the FCS Lady Crusaders.

Below, Taylor Barber (4) goes up for the ball against Ross County Christian Academy.