It was a matchup of epic proportions. Lady Blazers facing off with the Lady Colonels from up north. It lived up to the hype, but not in the way UHA fans hoped.
The Lady Blazers began set one and found themselves immediately in a 1-6 hole. It seemed very out of character for this team and after a timeout was called by Head Coach Faye Hendricks I think it was largely expected they would settle in and get back to their game. To some extent they did, but another timeout had to be called as they trailed 6-18 and you started to get a sense of how this game was going to go; or so we thought.
After going down by twelve, UHA came roaring back to lose 18-25. Okay, no big deal right, it was one set and clearly you had found a rhythm. Well, not quite.
Set two began with a 10-3 Henderson County run and Coach Hendricks again called timeout. The response was an improvement. The Lady Blazers battled and found themselves trailing 15-22 when another timeout was called.
This is where the fun begins, sort of.
This is a UHA team with grit, willingness to grind, and an ability to erase any deficit at any point. Well, they nearly proved it in set two, and would prove it in set three, but that is getting ahead of ourselves.
Trailing 15-22 and coming out of the timeout, the run began for UHA. A 5-0 run that turned into a 6-0 run after a Lady Colonel timeout and we were staring at a 21-22 one point deficit before Henderson found a way to squeak out the last three points and give up just one more to UHA.
A 25-22 final in set two went the way of the Lady Colonels, but it sure seemed the Lady Blazers had all the momentum.
Henderson County did what they had done in the previous two sets, they made a run to start set three and attempt to cut off the momentum built by UHA. It almost worked. Once again trailing, this time 1-5, Coach Hendricks called the timeout. The response, which had steadily improved in each set, finally broke through.
Several minutes later we found ourselves all tied up at twelve a piece and the UHA crowd and team was getting rowdy as Henderson tried to quench the blaze with a timeout.
It might have worked momentarily, as they took back the lead 19-16 and we had another UHA timeout, but they did not stomp out all the embers and that was all the Lady Blazers needed to keep their season alive.
Out of the timeout UHA rallied to take a 24-23 lead and then we saw maybe some of the best volleyball you will ever see.
Both teams throwing knock out punch attempt after attempt. Someone would tie it and then go ahead by a point and then they would give one up and back we went. This went on for what seemed like hours until finally, with their backs against the wall and trying to find whatever energy and fight they had left, the Lady Blazers came up with just enough.
It was a spectacular display of teamwork and discipline. Now though, you still trail two sets to one, the fight was far from over.
Spotting the Lady Colonels another early set lead in the fourth, Coach Hendricks called a timeout and found her team trailing 2-8. They stepped up once again battling back but as UHA called what would end up as their final timeout, they still trailed 12-21. Mustering all they could, the Lady Blazers fired up the last bit of strength they had and cut the deficit to 17-21. At that point Henderson called timeout and as fired up as UHA was, and believe me they were hyped, it ultimately stifled the momentum they had built and the Lady Colonels took set four and the game 25-19. Three sets to one.
That brought an end to what was a spectacular season for the Lady Blazers. 26-13 overall and an undefeated district record to go with a district title.
With that being said, sure you cannot spot a veteran, disciplined, fundamentally sound team a four plus point lead in every set and expect to win. It was not the best effort we have seen out of UHA.
However, you know what it was? A lesson learned, and motivation.
See Henderson County is veteran and stacked with seniors. Five to be exact, and many play significant roles in their teams success. UHA on the other hand had only two. Shaniyah Brody and Emily Noland. Both of which were certainly integral leaders and pieces on this team. What names don’t you see though?
Julia Thomas, Sarah Peebles, Claire Chewning, Chayse Gilliland, and a host of others. This was a young team, with copious talent, but varied experience. No one wants to hear, ‘well next year…’, and I get that. Next year though, this is a team now that will have all that talent, with another year of experience and training. Also, a group of girls that will have been through tough matches and tough moments. I would fully expect that to be something they carry with them, and barring a major set back, I will call my shot now; UHA will win its first region title next year.