Volleyball Ladyhounds make history, advance to first-ever district championship game

Sophomore Gabby Gardner delivered the match-clinching kill as Paris secured the first postseason tournament victory in program history and earned a spot in tonight’s district final against GRC

 

IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com

 

PARIS – In front of a loud, energetic crowd inside Russ Day Gymnasium Monday evening, where both teams’ fan bases doubled as cheering sections, the Paris Ladyhounds accomplished something no volleyball team in the brief history of the program had ever done before… they won a KHSAA postseason tournament match.

And they did it in dramatic fashion.

The Ladyhounds (16-10) survived a five-set thriller against Montgomery County, earning a 3-2 victory and punching their ticket to tonight’s 40th District Championship match at Bourbon County High School.

“All glory goes to God,” shared first-year Ladyhound Coach Kelly Goodwin. “What an incredible team win. We had multiple players with double digit kills, assists and digs. Everyone played a part not just in this game but throughout the entire season to get us here. This is a special group. They already spend a lot of time together but we spent even more time on deepening those relationships. That support for one another really matters. Every game, we have had different players step up. Last night they all committed to their roles and we came together to form a really good team.”

Awaiting them is top-seeded George Rogers Clark (18-7), the No. 2-ranked team in the 10th Region. The Lady Cardinals advanced to the finals by defeating host Bourbon County in three highly competitive sets. While the scoreboard showed a sweep, the Lady Colonels gave GRC everything it could handle before the Cardinals ultimately secured the win.

Paris enters the championship match with plenty of confidence despite dropping both regular-season meetings against George Rogers Clark.

In their first meeting at Paris, the Lady Cardinals earned a 3-0 victory by scores of 25-16, 25-21 and 25-20. While the sweep appeared decisive on paper, the final two sets were tightly contested and could have easily swung in favor of the Ladyhounds.

The second contest in Winchester was even closer.

GRC won the match 3-1, but Coach Goodwin’s squad came within inches of forcing a decisive fifth set. The Lady Cardinals captured the opening two sets by scores of 25-9 and 25-18 before Paris stormed back to win the third set, 26-24. In the fourth set, the Ladyhounds held two opportunities to extend the match, but Coach Kainan Hudson’s Cardinals escaped with a 27-25 victory.

If those regular-season battles serve as any indication, fans can expect another hard-fought contest tonight with a district championship on the line, but regardless of the outcome, both teams have already secured spots in next week’s 10th Region Tournament. For George Rogers Clark, regional appearances are expected. For Paris, however, this is uncharted territory.

“We expect our game tonight to be a battle. Our focus is unfinished business,” said the Coach. “I hope we take advantage of the opportunity to continue to get better because that is what you have every time you step on the floor- an opportunity.”

The Ladyhounds are heading somewhere they have never been before. And that’s a sign of just how far the program has come, despite having five coaches in five years.

A program that once struggled for respect within the district and region has now established itself as a legitimate contender. Simply reaching the regional tournament marks a major milestone, while advancing to the district championship has provided further proof that Paris volleyball has arrived.

But before looking ahead, the Ladyhounds had to survive one final challenge from Montgomery County.

The Lady Indians claimed the opening set, 25-18, and momentarily seized control of the match. Paris quickly responded.

The Ladyhounds dominated the second and third sets, winning by scores of 25-14 and 25-15, using aggressive play at the net, strong serving and excellent defensive coverage to swing momentum firmly in their favor.

The fourth set appeared to be heading Paris’ way as the Ladyhounds raced to a 10-4 advantage. Montgomery County, however, refused to go away.

The Lady Indians fought all the way back and eventually grabbed their first lead of the set at 22-21 after Paris had previously held a slim 21-20 edge.

With the season hanging in the balance, sophomore Elayna Swart stepped to the service line and delivered.

Swart served the final four points of the match, helping the Lady Indians close out the set, 25-21, and force a winner-take-all fifth set.

Pressure-packed fifth set belongs to the Ladyhounds

The deciding set delivered even more drama as the atmosphere inside Russ Day Gymnasium reached a fever pitch, with both fan bases growing louder and louder with every rally.

Paris appeared to be in complete control after building an 8-2 lead, but Montgomery County mounted yet another comeback. The Lady Indians battled all the way back to tie the score at 13-13 and put the pressure squarely on the Ladyhounds.

That’s when sophomore Gabby Gardner took over.

Gardner, who was dominant at the net throughout the evening, recorded kills on the final two points of the match to secure the historic victory. The match-winning kill came off a perfectly placed assist from senior Molly Mason.

Gardner was especially impressive in the fifth set, recording eight kills during the decisive frame.

Montgomery County helped Paris’ cause with several untimely service errors, including one into the net late in the fifth set that gave the Ladyhounds an opportunity they would not waste.

Still, this victory was very much a team effort, because Paris received key contributions from every player who stepped onto the court.

Gardner and Molly Mason provided leadership and consistency throughout the match, while sophomore Mia Mason contributed critical plays in key moments. Senior libero Angie Roque-Romero anchored the defense and helped keep rallies alive, while sophomore Emma Morris repeatedly put Montgomery County out of system with her effective serves that featured plenty of movement.

The Hayden sisters also played important roles in the victory. Freshman Rose Hayden proved to be a force at the net, while sophomore Aniya Hayden delivered valuable minutes during crucial stretches of the match as the Ladyhounds will continue their historic postseason run.

The coach concluded by expressing her appreciation for the players, parents, school administration, coaching staff, and fans who supported the team throughout the season.

“I’m so happy for all of our players and grateful for the incredible support we’ve received all year,” she said. “It’s especially meaningful for our two seniors, Molly Mason and Angie Roque-Romero, to experience this in their final season.”

Game stats

Gardner led the way with 20 kills and 2 blocks, while Rose Hayden added 11 kills and 2 blocks. Morris contributed a service ace and 13 digs. Molly Mason recorded 5 kills, 17 assists, 23 digs, and 2 total blocks. Mia Mason totaled 6 kills, a team-best 21 assists, and 11 digs. Angie Roque-Romero finished with a service ace and 27 digs. Aniya Hayden added 4 kills, a service ace, a team-best 28 digs, and 2 total blocks.

 

All game photos taken by EASTON BOWMAN I EZ VISUALS