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SETTING UP — Senior Jamilyn Hensley (15) sets a pass during recent action. In what turned out to be her final high school volleyball game, she recorded 25 assists, five digs, one kill, and one ace in the Lady Hornets' five-set loss to Oakwood in the Regional Quarterfinals. Photo by DJ Spencer
Roberson records double-double
PALESTINE — The Miller Grove Lady Hornets’ season came to a bitter end Tuesday following a five-set loss to the Oakwood Lady Panthers in their Regional Quarterfinal playoff game at Palestine High School. Though the Lady Hornets managed to erase an early deficit to force a fifth set, their comeback attempt fell just short, leading to a crushing defeat.
This loss also snapped the Lady Hornets’ streak of six consecutive Regional Tournament appearances.
The first set would be competitive from beginning to end, as both teams played well from the beginning. The Lady Panthers would win the first set 2517, taking the lead.
The next set was more of the same, as each team continued their strong gameplay. The Lady Panthers won the second set 25-21, increasing their lead to 2-0.
With their backs against the wall, the Lady Hornets stepped up their game in the third set, determined not to let the game slip away. The Lady Hornets won the third set 25-16, cutting the score to 2-1 and forcing a fourth set.
The fourth set was tightly contested, as Oakwood tried to win the game, while Miller Grove tried to extend the game. In the end, the Lady Hornets edged out a 25-22 win in the fourth set, tying the score at 2-2 and sending the game to a decisive fifth set.
The final set was also tightly contest, as both teams fought for the win. In the end, the Lady Hornets’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Lady Panthers won the fifth set 15-11, handing the Lady Hornets a five-set loss.
Jaci Roberson recorded a 26-kill, 26-dig double- double, adding four aces, three assists, and two blocks. Jamilyn Hensley led in assists with 25, also racking up five digs, one kill, and one ace.
Celeste Robertson tallied 16 assists, five digs, two kills, and one ace. Alaira Serrano came up with 13 digs, eight kills, one ace, and one assist.
Anna Culbertson finished with 12 digs and one kill. Hanna Nalls also double- digit digs with 11, adding one ace. Audrey Yates totaled seven kills, three aces, three digs, and two assists.
Ava Sotelo finished with five kills, two digs, and one block. Other contributors include Kylie Hargrove with four digs and two kills, and Madison Hernandez with two aces, two digs, and one assist.
With the loss, the Lady Hornets’ season has come to an end. They end their first season under Chris Horton with an overall record of 25-15, finishing as undefeated district champions, bi-district champions, area champions, and regional quarterfinalists. This would go down as the final high school volleyball game for six senior Lady Hornets: Hensley, Hernandez, Nalls, Robertson, Serrano, and Sotelo.
The Lady Hornets will look to improve in the offseason and make a deeper playoff run next season.