It was the most favorable draw the Lady Colonels could have received. Open with the worst of the three district winners, face a team you are extremely familiar with in the semifinals, and do not have to face that generally regarded best team in the region until the final.
All that being said, it was the most favorable, but no one said it would be easy.
Christian County rolled up to Henderson County high to take on Crittenden County, and while they had a win over the Lady Rockets this season already, this time it would not go their way.
A three set to two loss brought an end to the season for the Lady Colonels who I would fully expect to be right back in this position next season with a chance to go even further.
Set one, like most of this game, went back and forth point for point, until the Lady Colonels did what they have done best in a positive light all year. They went on a run. By the time the Lady Rockets called a timeout it was 18-14 and Christian County was not going to let their seized moment dwindle. They pushed on to win set one 25-18.
Set two went as you would expect in a game between two scrappy teams in blue. Crittenden jumped out to a 15-8 lead forcing a Christian County timeout and they, like the Lady Colonels, would continue to carry the momentum forcing another timeout up 20-9. Ultimately the deficit, as hard as the Lady Colonels fought, was insurmountable for set two. Crittenden won it 25-15 and we went to a pivotal set three.
You could feel the tension in the gym as every fan, player, coach, everyone, understood how important the next set would be. Winning the third anything in any best of five scenario provides a distinct and powerful advantage.
That advantage kept trying to go either way.
The Lady Colonels did a great job jumping on the Lady Rockets early. Leading by three, four, five points multiple times during the set and Crittenden just kept coming back to tie it and forcing Christian County back into a critical situation.
Finally, after going back and forth and back and forth, Christian County found a way and took a 25-22 win out of the clutches of the Lady Rockets. Their emotion was palpable. Was it everything they had left? Not quite.
Set four certainly began all Lady Rockets coming off that emotional set victory for Christian County. However, the Lady Colonels still had some fight in them storming back to tie it at twelve before calling a timeout trailing 15-19. As the tensions rose, so did the effort and grit from the Lady Colonels. They once again gritted their teeth, dug in their heels, and battled to tie it back up at twenty-two all. The crowd was on its feet! As play resumed you could tell this set would decide almost everything, neither team willing to leave even a smidge of energy or effort on the court.
Christian County would call another timeout trailing 25-26, on the brink of being taken to a fifth and decisive set. Crittenden made that happen. The Lady Rockets had a ball bounce their way, or more accurately it did not bounce the Lady Colonels way as it was out of play on a hit, and we would go to a five.
As always the captains gathered with their coaches to flip the coin, Christian County would serve to begin the final set. It was obvious both teams, but especially the Lady Colonels were on edge and running on fumes. Those fumes would have to do though, and man they almost did enough.
Head Coach Rick Erickson called a timeout down 7-11 and trying to rally the Lady Colonels to victory. They came out swinging but another timeout was called and they trailed 8-13. You simply cannot trade two’s for one’s at that point in the game. They would not get a chance to get their next one, as they gave up two and that ended it. 15-8 the Lady Rockets soared to a quarterfinal victory and a date with Madisonville in the semifinals.
Meanwhile Christian County saw their year come to an end. It was a great campaign for the Lady Colonels full of ups and downs, but chalked full of potential and reason to think they will be right back here in this same position and with a chance to advance even further.
The loss of Hailey Sparks stings. As does losing Gracie Stallons and Chantelle Haby. However, you return both Owens sisters, Skylar Kirby and Camryn Armstrong among a host of other talented players. Not to mention a coach in Rick Erickson who knows how to develop and cultivate incoming talent whether from the middle schools or an unexpected transfer.
C0ngrats to the Lady Colonels, and look forward to next season!