Trailing 2-1 to Owensboro Catholic and on the verge of losing the 9th District Championship game, Apollo Head Coach Mary Howard reminded her team of the game plan. She was pleased with the way they set the tone and their aggression in the first set, but acknowledged that they started to play on their back foot and began opting to see what the Lady Aces would do.
Revitalized, the E-Gals won two straight sets to beat the Lady Aces 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 16-25, 25-18, 15-9) and win their first district title since 2016.
“I am so proud of our team,” Howard said. “These girls have had this goal from the beginning of the season. The work they have put in and the buy-in we have had from day one have all built up to this day.”
The first two sets were back and forth, with Apollo winning the first and Owensboro Catholic the second. In the third set, the Lady Aces started to dominate the match, spurred on by the thunderous home crowd.
Yet, for a third straight time this season, the Lady Aces were unable to close out a 2-1 lead over Apollo.
“It seems every time we play them we go to a fifth set and check out at the end,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Brian Hardison said. “We just can’t do that.”
In the fifth set, Apollo narrowly led 10-9 and out of a timeout, ripped off five straight points to secure the match.
“This is a feeling that I can’t describe,” Apollo’s Avery Gray said after the match. “We’ve wanted it and we have worked so hard. I am really proud of our team.”
Gray was instrumental in the comeback win, finishing with 24 kills and 17 digs. Maddi Roberts and Jessica Lee combined for 45 of the teams 47 assists, while Jessie Pate recorded 29 digs and three service aces.
The Lady Aces were led by Mayme Powell, who recorded 40 assists, 10 kills, 10 digs, three blocks, and three service aces. Addie Oller added 13 kills, seven blocks, and five digs, while Emma Castlen posted 11 kills, 10 blocks, and two digs.
Both teams will have a few days to recover before competing in the 3rd Region tournament, which is set to kick off Monday at Owensboro High School. To bounce back and go on a deep playoff run, Hardison wants to see his team clean up the little things.
“We need to improve moving our feet, making solid passes, and putting the ball away,” Hardison said. “We had the opportunities tonight to put balls away, and we just didn’t do it. We just need to clean up.”
For Apollo, this marks the first time since 2019 that the E-Gals are back in the 3rd Region Tournament.
“It feels awesome to return,” Howard said. “The key is to make sure we come in, have high-energy practices, and just make sure we stay focused on one point at a time, one game at a time.”
