It didn’t matter what the responsibility was on the court; Ava Martin was up to the challenge. The senior finished with a team-high 18 kills and seven service aces and added 10 digs and one block to help power Owensboro Catholic past Grayson County 3-1 (25-15, 25-15, 21-25, 25-14) in the opening round of the 3rd Region Tournament.
“I think everyone did really well today,” senior Molly Arnold said. “We came in, did our job, and we took care of it. We did lose that third set, but it happens. We came back and won the fourth.”
The Lady Aces started the match aggressively, taking the pressure to Grayson County. Cruising to a 1-0 lead, the two teams were even in the middle of the second set. After a timeout, the Lady Aces took control of the momentum, ending the second set on a dominant 11-1 run.
Owensboro Catholic held a slight lead midway through the third set, but Grayson County refused to go away. After tying the set 18-18, the Lady Cougars kept their season alive by going on a 7-3 run – forcing a fourth set. Wanting to avoid a fifth set, the Lady Aces locked in and closed out the match.
Throughout the match, whenever the Lady Aces needed a momentum swing, Martin delivered – be it a kill from the left side, a service ace, or a dig to keep the possession alive.
“I just go for every ball and try and get it up,” Arnold said. “I just try and make sure I’m where I’m supposed to be, and I don’t think about it. I just do and hold my arms out.”
Mayme Powell finished with 45 assists, seven digs, five blocks, and two kills, while Arnold recorded a team-high 17 digs and two assists. Addie Oller and Emmy Roberts both had 11 kills, and Emma Castlen posted eight kills, four blocks, three digs, and one service ace.
The Lady Aces tournament run continues with a semi-finals match against Meade County later tonight at 7:30 pm.
“I think we just need to come in tomorrow with the same energy we had today,” Arnold said. “We need to have the mindset that nothing hits the floor and just do our job.”
