Hillsboro Christian Academy Lady Crusaders win volleyball season-opener
Evon Reed (10) pushes the ball back over the net in her HCA debut. (HCP photos by Colin Ryan.)
By Colin Ryan
The Highland County Press
The Hillsboro Christian Academy Lady Crusaders won their volleyball season-opener against the Adams County Christian School Lady Eagles on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at home. The Lady Crusaders swept the Lady Eagles in three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-12 and 25 13.
Sophomore Annie Henderson led the Lady Crusaders in assists with 13, hits in play with ten and playable passes with 19. Fellow sophomore Emma Korte led the team in serving aces with five. Junior Carlee Puckett led in kills with seven.
Coach Tyler Rhodes sent out his team to face the Lady Eagles with four new starters, including seniors Emma Robb and Nevada Warner, Korte and freshman Alanna Stoltzfus. Puckett and Henderson were the only returning starters from the previous season.
The Lady Crusaders fell behind early in the first set, losing 7-0 before Coach Rhodes called his first timeout. The Lady Crusaders eventually gained their first lead of the game, 12-11. From there, the Lady Crusaders went on a 13-5 run against the Lady Eagles. This was due in large part to the serving of Puckett and Korte who each had a run of eight straight points.
The second set began with the Lady Crusaders taking an early 6-0 lead. They continued to lead throughout the set and ultimately won the set 25-12. Evon Reed came into the set for Korte and scored seven straight points for the Lady Crusaders in her first game with the team. Robb scored eight points for the Lady Crusaders in the set.
The third and final set was won by the Lady Crusaders with a final of 25-13. Taylor Barber started the set for the Lady Crusaders and led all scorers with 12 points. Warner scored six of her own for the Lady Crusaders.
This win puts the Lady Crusaders at 1-0 on the season. They host the Cincinnati Calvary Christian School Lady Cougars on August 16. The Lady Crusaders will look to improve to 2-0 on the season before going on the road to play the Liberty Bible Academy Lady Patriots on Aug. 18.
Below, Carlee Puckett (32) goes up to spike the ball over the net after the set by Annie Henderson (45).
