North takes Round 1

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The volleyball squads from Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central High Schools renewed their rivalry in the first of two 2008 regular season meetings on Tuesday night.

The Lady Storm battled hard, holding tight deep into two straight sets, but ultimately the Lady Maroons put together strong runs to pull away and win both games 25-17.

Central showed they were not intimidated heading into North’s home gym, by leading 17-16 late in the first game.

“Central did a good job of taking us out of our game plan,” North coach Jon Parker said. “We couldn’t get in any rhythm.”

The Lady Maroons pushed ahead, however, on nine straight points to secure the victory.

Freshman Morgan Hestand led the charge for North down the stretch. Hested entered to serve with the score tied 17 all and closed out the game by finding a weak area in the Central defense.

“She hit the exact spot seven times in a row,” North coach Jon Parker said. “I mean how can you do that? Seven times in a row, that’s amazing. She did a great job with that.”

The second game nearly mirrored the first as both teams struggled to break away decisively until the Lady Maroons, up 21-17, scored four consecutive points to win again 25-17.

Central trailed by as many as seven at 20-13, but the Lady Storm mounted a comeback attempt to make things interesting.

Junior Kara Willis stepped up to serve with Central down 21-14 and after three serves the team pulled within four points. The rally ended at 21-17 though when a Central return failed to clear the net.

Central coach Mary Catherine Adamson said she was proud of her team’s effort, but the Lady Storm’s inconsistency serving opened the door for the Lady Maroons.

“I think us missing a few of our serves helped bring North back,” she said. “I think if we got a few more of our serves in we would have stayed up with them. Our girls were digging the balls out. I can’t say much

bad about them.”

Up 22-17, Lauren Purdy finished the second game serving as North recorded three straight points. Purdy ended the game with six kills, two blocks and two aces.

Parker said he was particularly impressed with her play.

“Lauren Purdy when she swings, she’s so high above the net it looks nasty,” he said.

Although the Lady Maroons did not take charge until late, Hested said she felt the girls handled the situation well.

“We got a little stressed out there in the middle,” she said, “but we pulled it out together and we gave it 110 percent, and that’s all we could ask for.”

Despite the loss for Central, Adamson said she has seen improvement in the team’s first three matches of the season.

“They’re all hustling and I saw in more today than in the past two games. Just not letting the ball go for anything.”

For Central, Hannah Farris ended the game with 10 serves and an ace. ReAnna Hart and Willis each had seven serves while Cassandra Haley recorded 12 assists and one ace.

Cydni Carney also recorded 12 assists, but for North. Hested ended with eight aces.

The Lady Storm will be back in action Thursday against Hopkinsville, and the Lady Maroons will visit Crittenden County on the same date as well.