Pictured is JrA Lady Hornets
Moving is always a nerve-wracking thing. Whether you are changing houses or careers or schools, there are always many emotions involved with change. And it’s no different when it comes to volleyball conferences. The Hackett volleyball program started their season leaving the 2A and moving up to 3A. Many questions hang unanswered with a move like this to unchartered waters. But as with many times before, the Jr and Sr Lady Hornets jumped in their boats and set sail on this new journey prepared for anything.
And my what a journey! In just two months, all three Hackett squads were able to successfully battle through adversity while taking down giants that dared to cross their paths. The 7th Grade Lady Hornets finished 8-1 this year and “had a great year of growth,” expressed head coach, Bridget Freeman. The Jr Lady Hornets finished the season undefeated with a record of 17-0 (and never lost a set) and are the 3A Conference Champions. In their final game against Charleston, the Jr Lady Hornets won with sets of 25-10 and 25-19. Prairie Vaughn got 2 aces, 4 kills, and 8 assists. Alona Rothwell made 1 ace, 4 kills, and 4 digs. Makenzie Freeman got 2 aces, 5 kills, and 3 digs. Michaelyn Freeman made 2 aces, 2 kills, and 4 digs. Aubree Ruggles got 2 aces and 5 kills. Lexi Gann took 3 kills and 4 assists. And Jessie Mendenhall picked up 1 kill and 5 assists. “I am incredibly proud of both my junior and senior high teams. This is the 4th year in a row for conference champs for junior high. They had amazing chemistry and are incredibly hard workers.”
The Sr High Lady Hornets have concluded their week with 4 games in 4 days with 4 wins. “They are tough and battled hard tonight in their 4th straight game for the win.” Wednesday night, Hackett hosted the Lincoln Lady Wolves and took winning sets of 25-15, 25-11, and 25-23. Stepping up to the net was Kenadi Wright with 7 kills. Kayla Richardson with 5 assists and 6 digs. Madi Taylor gained 2 aces, 25 assists, and 4 digs. Brooke Holt grabbed 1 assist. Rain Vaughn took home 8 kills, 1 assist, and 2 digs. Kandace Byrd with 3 kills, 4 digs, and 1 assist. Madeline Freeman taking 4 aces, 8 kills, 5 digs, and 33 assists. Jamye Durham with 2 aces, 6 kills, 4 assists, and 1 dig. Emma Infalt made 1 ace and 1 assist. Shayla Foster earned 2 aces, 3 kills, 2 assists, and 4 digs. And Sarah White made 2 aces, 3 digs, and 1 assist.
On Thursday night to end their week-long volleyball madness, the Lady Hornets battled hard against the Charleston Lady Tigers and won big 3-1. The Sr Lady Hornets have finished their regular season with a 16-1 record and will be the #1 seed in the 3A District Tournament which is being held at Hackett next week. “We will play Wednesday night at 6 pm in the semifinals. These girls have worked very hard these last five weeks having various players out of our starting lineup due to measures they could not control. We chose to continue playing and fighting and I feel like they have battled hard and filled positions where needed to get us to where we are today.”
“This has been a crazy year with all of our COVID restrictions. I’m proud of the way both of my teams handled the battles presented to them this year and I look forward to seeing what senior high can do in the District and State Tournaments.”
