Volleyball girls battle at Henderson Spike Fest

The HCHS Lady Hornets volleyball team went 2-3 at this year’s Henderson Spike Fest, rallying behind some very strong performances from multiple players.Hancock County players amassed big numbers across the stat board.

Sydney Kennedy led the team with 18 kills, 27 digs and 11 aces. Haylee Garrison had 16 kills, 21 digs and two aces. Emma Hurst had 48 assists, 17 digs, two kills, one block and eight aces. Brooke Toler had 50 digs, six aces and one kill. Karessa Ballard had five kills, 17 digs and five aces. Lauren Kellems had seven kills, three blocks, two aces and one dig. Kennedy Desper had three kills, seven digs and two blocks. Ireland Kennedy had 10 digs and six aces. Maddisen Peck had six digs. Sophia Reed had one dig, and Ashlynn Madden had one kill and one block.

Home match with Aces
The Lady Hornets competed well against one of the top teams in the region during the team’s home opening match at HCHS last Thursday. Owensboro Catholic won 25-17, 25-15 and 25-14.
“I think the girls, especially the younger girls, played a lot better having the home court advantage and having their fans to back them up,” HCHS coach Blake Hardison said.

Garrison had eight kills and five digs, and Hurst had 16 assists, 10 digs and one kill. Ireland Kennedy and Ballard had two dig each, and Toler had 15 digs and one kill. Sydney Kennedy had five kills and 13 digs, Kellems had two blocks and three digs, Kennedy Desper had one kill and one block and Peck had one kill.

Hancock County fell in three sets, but they were competitive in each one against the Lady Aces.
“In the first game we missed seven serves (into the net) and we lost by eight. Giving away free points doesn’t help, especially against a great team.

From the beginning of the season the girls have said their goal is to make it to the regional tournament. If we can stick with Catholic we have a chance, but we have to play better. We have to pick up our energy and we have to believe, when we step on the court, that we can win,” the coach said.

By Steve Wimmer