LOG MOUNTAIN — In a season that will likely be written as the best in Harlan County High School volleyball history to this point, the Lady Bears added another memorable chapter Tuesday with a hard-fought four-set win over defending champ Bell County.
After splitting two five-set marathons in the regular season, the Lady Bears took control in the third set behind tournament most valuable player Kylee Hoiska’s work at the net, as Harlan County pulled away for a 25-19, 23-25, 25-18. 25-18 victory.
“I’m so proud of them. I told them before the game that Bell had a chip on their shoulder and all the pressure was on them. They should just go in with a level head, remember the game plan, and just play our style of volleyball,” Harlan County assistant coach Gregory York said. “Our girls battled hard. Time and time again, Bell battled back. Picking up the first set really helped drive the momentum. When we dropped the second set, I just tried to pump them back up and stay positive. We were able to get back on track and take set three, then came out swinging and dominated set four. We will celebrate the win and take it all it in. Starting tomorrow we will prepare for region.”
Kalista Dunn and Ashton Evans helped HCHS build a 15-8 lead in the opening set. Bell’s Kairi Lamb, a 6-3 junior, got hot at that point with three kills that cut the deficit to 21-18 after an ace by Hailee Daniels. Evans had two kills and Savannah Hill added an ace as HCHS closed out the set with a 4-1 run.
The second set was close all the way with the Lady Bears going up 22-20 behind four straight points from Hill and Hoiska. Bell answered with a 5-1 run, capped by Emma Winkler’s ace, to win the second set.
The lead changed hands numerous times in the third set and was tied at 15-15 when Hill’s serves and Hoiska’s work at the net sparking a 7-0 run. Hoiska added three more kills in a 3-1 run to close the set.
Evans, the Lady Bears’ lone senior, reeled off nine straight service points to open the fourth set, capped by three aces. Lamb sparked a late 7-1 run as Bell cut the deficit to 22-16, but HCHS recovered with a kill by Hoiska and then Evans’ cross-court return to start the celebration for the Lady Bears’ sixth district title in the 16-year history of the school.
Lamb recorded 21 of the Lady Cats’ 30 kills and all five blocks. Neveah Allen added four, while Gracie Barton had three and Winkler added two. Winkler led in digs with 29, followed by Allen with 18, Abbi Middleton with 15 and Alexis Brown with 10, Hailee Daniels led in service aces with four, along with nine digs. Winkler led in assists with 12 Allen 10.
Bell County still leads the region in wins with a 29-10 record overall.
Both teams will play in the 13th Region Tournament, starting Saturday at Harlan High School.