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WH Heritage volleyball loses in region semifinals




Camden's Kinsley Peach scores over Heritage senior Sonya Banker.RANDY DIXON

Camden’s Kinsley Peach scores over Heritage senior Sonya Banker.RANDY DIXON

White House Heritage’s 2019 volleyball season came to a close Tuesday night in the Region 6-AA semifinals after losing to the Camden Central Lions in five sets. 

“Walking into this match, I felt like this was one of those toss-up games where I felt like if we did what we were supposed to, we could win, but if we don’t, we were going to lose,” White House Heritage coach Brandon Niblock said. “And that’s exactly what happened.”

After coming up just short in the first set 26-24, the Lady Patriots responded in the second, jumping out to a 11-6 lead en route to a 25-17 win. 

Camden came out strong in the important third set, taking an early lead and pulling away late to win 25-18. 

Heritage was able to force a fifth set after mounting a furious comeback in the fourth. Trailing 19-10, the Lady Patriots outscored Camden 15-2 the rest of the way to win 25-21.

But Heritage (16-18) was unable to keep the momentum going in the final set, losing 15-11 to Camden.

“I think we just waited too long to get into a set,” Niblock said. “Almost every set we’ve lost this season has been the story of starting slow and trying to battle back, and it ends up being close. 

“We just start off too slow too often against teams that are like us, that I’ve been calling 50-50 wins all season.”

The loss marked the end of careers for two seniors, Sonya Banker and Olivia Risden. Niblock said both players provided leadership for the team throughout the season. 

“They both were with me when I was still the middle school coach in seventh and eighth grade, so I’ve had a long time with them,” he said. “I can’t say enough (about) how good of kids they are, how motivated they are on the court and in the classroom. I thank them every chance I get for what they added to the team and how they helped me build the high school program.”

Lydia Dykes scores for Camden while MC Abell (5) defends.RANDY DIXON

Lydia Dykes scores for Camden while MC Abell (5) defends.RANDY DIXON

Trinity Woodard scores for Camden despite the defense of Heritage.RANDY DIXON

Trinity Woodard scores for Camden despite the defense of Heritage.RANDY DIXON

Camden's Trinity Woodard goes for a kill.RANDY DIXON

Camden’s Trinity Woodard goes for a kill.RANDY DIXON

White House Heritage celebrates a late point to stay alive in the semifinals.RANDY DIXON

White House Heritage celebrates a late point to stay alive in the semifinals.RANDY DIXON

Heritage junior Ashleigh Shores gets the ball past Camden's Lydia Dykes.RANDY DIXON

Heritage junior Ashleigh Shores gets the ball past Camden’s Lydia Dykes.RANDY DIXON

Chloe Pentecost fires a shot as Camden's Kinsley Peach and Lydia Dykes defend.RANDY DIXON

Chloe Pentecost fires a shot as Camden’s Kinsley Peach and Lydia Dykes defend.RANDY DIXON

MC Abell blocks a shot from Camden's Abby Pierce.RANDY DIXON

MC Abell blocks a shot from Camden’s Abby Pierce.RANDY DIXON

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