Though they started the season eager for a trip to the state tournament, it was not a particularly easy road for the Lady Aces.
They started 2-4, they lost to both Breckinridge County and Apollo mid-season, and they looked vulnerable in a handful of other matches.
Led by a dominant trio of seniors, though, Owensboro Catholic’s volleyball team found its groove late in the season and are currently riding high as they make their first appearance in the state tournament since 2015.
Head coach Brian Hardison said that team chemistry has been key for the Lady Aces, who have won nine matches in a row and 13 of their last 15.
“It’s been about focusing on playing together as a team, believing in everybody that’s out there and playing for each other,” he said. “It’s not really even playing for me, but playing for the girls that are out there on the floor with you. That’s been a huge focus of ours.”
Hardison said he and the team are still on cloud nine after upsetting Breckinridge County in the 3rd Region championship, as it was the culmination of a year’s worth of steadily working toward their ultimate goal.
“Earlier in the season we would not have won that game,” he said. “It’s been our goal for the whole year. I would always tell the underclassmen to do it for the seniors. I think that was the drive for them. They wanted to go to state. It showed in the fight that they put up the other night.”
Three of those seniors have played vital roles all season. Cecilia Clemens is a versatile floor general and the main setter, while Cassidy Towery and Belle Wright are powerful outside hitters who can score from just about anywhere.
“Cecilia controls the floor better than any setter I’ve ever seen,” Hardison said. “She knows how to distribute the ball and put it where it needs to be. When she does throw them out to Cassidy or Belle, they usually don’t disappoint.”
So far this season Clemens has 957 assists, 123 kills, 61 blocks, 64 digs and 44 aces. Towery has 350 kills, 109 digs, 62 assists, 54 aces and 45 blocks. Wright has 295 kills, 111 digs, 36 blocks and 17 aces.
While his star trio has been reliable all year, Hardison said the rest of the Lady Aces have stepped up to help Catholic make a deep postseason run.
Junior Madeline Castlen (205 kills, 79 blocks, 28 aces, 28 digs) and sophomore Cate Sights (167 kills, 68 blocks, 12 aces) are a pair of middle hitters that Hardison said can make a difference any given night.
“Last year Madeline might have been a little bit timid, but this year she’s not even close to that. When she wants to, she can take over the game, and she’s done it down the stretch many a time,” Hardison said. “I call Cate automatic because almost every time she touches the ball she scores.”
Junior libero Jenna Glenn (212 digs) is able to help keep rallies alive with her efforts on the back line.
“There’s a lot of times she just doesn’t let anything hit the floor,” Hardison said. “You can hear a big blasting shot by the other team then all of a sudden she pops it up like it’s nothing.”
Other key players for Catholic this season have been junior Allie Hamilton (75 kills, 35 digs, 34 blocks, 27 assists, 19 aces) and senior Jayden Bickett (97 digs).
The Lady Aces will open state tournament action at 4 p.m. CST Friday at Valley High School in Louisville when the play Campbell County (20-15, Region 10 champion). The quarterfinals and semifinals are Saturday, with the championship set for Sunday.
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