Record Breaking Night Leaves Pioneers On Top

Record Breaking Night Leaves Pioneers On Top- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 11-5-22

Lady Pioneer Volleyball hosted the Eutectics of University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy earlier today, in their last matchup of the 2022 season. A record game for many of the Pioneers, was the turning point for Crowley's Ridge as they defeated UHSP after a five set thriller. With this win the Pioneers finish their season on a high note ending it with three game win streak, their longest of the season.  Sets went as follows: 25-18 CRC, 22-25 UHSP, 25-23 CRC, 17-25 UHSP, and 15-13 CRC.  

Set one, CRC jumped ahead 11-3 in the form of kills from several Lady Pioneers and 2 service aces from sophomore Jadyn Hesse and freshmen Kinley Matlock. UHSP would rally to bring the set within one, 15-14, by linking a chain of kills together against the CRC front. Matlock would step behind the service line and coax her team to end the set with an 8-1 run, taking the set 25-18. 

Set two, junior Hannah Halverson would start the set off by helping the Pioneers to a 5-1 lead by collecting her 6th and 7th kills of the match. The Lady Eutectics again rallied a run but this time it would be successful, forcing a CRC timeout as they now trailed UHSP 9-11. When play resumed CRC would find a kill from sophomore Paige Gelnn, but it would not discourage the UHSP attack. Crowley's Ridge would be forced to take their second timeout, now trailing 10-17. When play recommenced sophomore Hesse linked up with junior Halverson for a kill and a momentum grabber. This duo would link up 5 more times, chipping away at the deficit ultimately forcing a UHSP timeout with the set at 18-22 UHSP advantage. When the set began again it would not end the way the Lady Pioneers hoped as UHSP scratched three points to  take set two 25-22.

With set three being very pivotal as it would give either team the advantage, both teams would struggle to take a demanding lead. CRC would catch its first break after a kill from junior Halverson gave the Pioneers a 7-5 lead. The  Eutectics battled back but junior Emi Elms joined in by producing 2 kills to keep the set close that would eventually force a UHSP timeout with the set tied 13-13. From this point on, the CRC defense kept the Lady Pioneers alive. Freshman Kinley Matlock would collect 11 digs giving the Pioneer hitters an opportunity. Sophomore Alexis Weirich would answer the call with a kill to take the lead 23-22. What would seem to seal the deal was the next point as sophomores Weirich and Glenn combined for a huge block allowing the Pioneers to conclude the set and seal the score, 25-23.

Set four, with the odds in CRC's favor, the Pioneers looked to put UHSP away to take the match but the Eutectics showed life as they jumped ahead early with a 7-1 run to start the set. Crowley's Ridge mustered sparse kills but eventually Coach Carissa Winn would call timeout down 15-6. Freshmen Matlock gave CRC a second opportunity by collecting 11 more digs this set but it would prove ineffective as UHSP took the set 25-17

For the third time this season, the team in green headed to the fifth set. Now, in a do or die set the Lady Pioneers left it all on the floor. CRC quickly jumped ahead in the race to 15 with a 3-1 lead with back to back service aces from sophomore Hesse. CRC would not lead for long as it would be UHSP who reached the halfway mark forcing a timeout from Coach Carissa Winn as they trailed 6-8. When play resumed UHSP increased their attack and lead by making it 12-9. Just as it seemed over for the Pioneers, a Paige Glenn kill started a must have rally from the Crowley's Ridge team. With all odds against them, the Lady Pioneers busted out 5 more team kills going on a 6-1 run to take the set and match with a service ace from freshmen Matlock. CRC defeats UHSP 15-13 in set five. 

The Lady Pioneers finished the season with their longest win streak of the year, 3-0. Four Pioneers finished the match with career high performances (Halverson, Hesse, Matlock and Berry). Halverson and Hesse ended with a double double.

Leaders:

Hannah Halverson led the Pioneers in kills (25) Emi Elms followed with (10). Jadyn Hesse led in assists with (49). Kinley Matlock led in digs (46), followed by Halverson (18) Hesse (15), Berry (14), Conaway (11).