HCA’s varsity volleyball team hosted Clinton High School on Tuesday night, in what was one of the most exciting matches of the early season.
The squads went back and forth during the first set. The Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Dark Horses bounced back to take the lead at 5-3. After giving up the lead, HCA went on an impressive run to go up 12-9. The Crusaders later pulled away to win the set 25-15.
CHS immediately took control of the 2nd set by taking a 6-3 lead. Despite their best efforts, the Dark Horses couldn’t hold off HCA for long, and the Crusaders came roaring back to take a one point lead at 8-7. HCA didn’t stay up for long, eventually going down 15-9. Just when it seemed like CHS was going to run away with the set, HCA rallied to tie it at 15. The rest of the set went back and forth, but it was the Crusaders who escaped with a 25-22 win.
The beginning of the 3rd set was tightly contested, with the score tied at 6-6 early on. The next point went to HCA, and the Crusaders didn’t look back after; the ladies in green and gold quickly took a commanding 15-6 lead. The rest of the set was a one sided affair, and HCA won the final set by a score of 25-15, finishing off a 3 sets to none victory. The Crusaders were the first team to beat Clinton this season, who came into the match 5-0.
Sophomore Brenna King led HCA in serving, going a perfect 16 for 16 with 3 aces. Senior Mary Grace Norris had a team high 12 digs, and junior Sierra Votaw led all players with 9 kills. Senior Marissa Parks also had a big game that included 15 successful serves and 13 assists. HCA improved to 4-1 on the season with the win.