Owensboro Catholic held off Apollo’s onslaught to take a 3-2 win in a thrilling five-set match at home Tuesday night.
The Lady Aces jumped out to an early 5-3 lead in the first set, but Apollo would quickly rally. The E-Gals went on a 6-2 run which was capped off with back-to-back service aces by Avery Gray.
Unfazed, Owensboro Catholic responded with a 7-0 run to take a 14-9 lead, capitalized by a monster spike by Olivia Castlen. She would finish with a game-high 26 kills. From there, the Lady Aces went on to run away with the set 25-16. Owensboro Catholic head coach Brian Hardison said after the first set he told his team he wanted to see them sweep, but if they didn’t, to just roll on.
“That’s how the girls are. They fight hard,” Hardison said. “That’s the easiest statement to say about this team. They fight hard.”
Tied 4-4 early in the second set, Apollo ripped off a 6-0 run to take a 10-4 lead which they would not relinquish. The E-Gals were in command, leading 16-6 when the Lady Aces responded with a 9-2 run to cut the lead to three, 18-15. Shortly after a timeout, Apollo regained their composure and went on a 7-1 run to win the set 25-16.
Apollo head coach Mary Anne Howard attributed her team bouncing back to take the second set to her them loosening up.
“We were a little tight in the first and they started communicating and flowing better,” Howard said.
The third set was the closest of the five, with neither team falling behind by more than four. Tied 8-8, Tyranda Stuart scored on back-to-back plays including a service ace to put the Lady Aces back on top 10-8. Owensboro Catholic held a narrow 21-17 lead late in the third before Apollo went on a 4-0 run to tie it 22-22. After Castlen gave the Lady Aces a 24-23 lead, Apollo’s Abie Butterworth scored one of her team-high 15 kills to tie it at 24-all. Owensboro Catholic scored the next two points to take the set and a 2-1 match lead.
Tied 8-8 in the fourth set, Apollo went on a 13-2 run to take a commanding 21-10 lead. Owensboro Catholic responded with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 21-16, but it was too late. After a timeout, Apollo regrouped and closed it out 25-18.
Howard addressed her team entering the fifth set and told them to expect a slugfest.
“Try and maintain the serve as long as possible,” Howard said of her message. “And if our opponent took the serve, to not allow any big runs.”
Tied 3-3, Owensboro Catholic went on a 9-4 run to take a 12-7 lead in the tiebreak, forcing Apollo to take a timeout. Smelling blood in the water, the Lady’s Aces fans cheers could be heard throughout the school’s hallways. Leading 14-10, Stuart’s spike was too much for Apollo to handle as the Lady Aces took the set 15-10.
On top of her 26 kills, Castlen also led her team in digs and blocks with 16 and five respectively. Mayme Powell and Reese Keller both led the team in assists with 18. For Apollo, Jesse Pate led the team in digs with 15, while Butterworth had a team-high five service aces. Jessica Lee finished with 15 assists, while Adelyn Dilback added 14.
Hardison complimented his team’s mental ability to stay composed after not putting the game away early.
“I thought we could have folded at any time, but the girls stuck it out,” Hardison said of his team’s ability to remain their composure. “They played hard and together. That’s key.”
