After winning the 6th District and collecting a pair of 3-0 match victories over Heritage Christian and Caldwell County in the opening rounds of the tournament, the Lady Cols volleyball season ended Thursday against Christian County in the regional championship.
In a match that was much more competitive than the final 3-1 score showed, Henderson gave the Lady Tigers all they could handle as none of the four sets was decided by more than three points. Christian County won the first two sets, 29-27 and 25-23, but the Lady Cols rallied to survive, taking the third set by a score of 25-22. After a battle in the fourth, the Lady Tigers prevailed, 25-22 to win the 2nd Region and prevent HCHS from making a second straight appearance in the state tournament.
“Going into the regional tournament, I felt like we were in a pretty good position to win,” head coach Kelli Harris said. “I was really proud of the way the girls performed. The third night against Christian County was just a dog fight. We made a few more mistakes than we had the previous nights… I’m really proud and grateful, but at the same rate, a little hurt in wanting it for our girls. I enjoyed watching them grow and compete, so those parts were what made it really hard to see it end.”
Harris was named the Region 2 Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association after another successful year in which she had to replace the production of seven seniors. The award meant a lot to her, but she also referred to it as “bittersweet.”
“It means a great deal when you’re recognized by your peers. More importantly, I wouldn’t be in this position without the players and families that have been supporting me and definitely without the support from Henderson County Schools, the admin, and Mr. Grace,” Harris said. “I feel like that recognition should get a regional championship, but sometimes that doesn’t happen.”
HCHS was led by two seniors this year in Addi Kirtley and Evangeline Loffland. In a statement on her Facebook, Harris praised the two for how they helped to “reshape the culture” of Henderson County volleyball over the past couple years.
“Addi and Evangeline were just steady for us. Addi just had more of a calm presence and really led us at the service line. Evangeline with the firepower that she provided at the net was just what we really needed,” Harris said in a phone interview. “They stuck with us and continued to believe and to fight for our team and for each other. They put Henderson County back on the map again as to always be a threat.”
Loffland was named to the All-Region team along with junior Emmy Sword.
With just two seniors leaving, the Lady Cols will have loads of talent returning in 2027. Harris named a number of players who both stepped up this year and will be looked to for leadership on and off the court next season. Among them were Sword, Milynn Garrett, Ruby Reynolds, Myla Peck, Kendra Ellis, and KK Thurby.
“We have a slew of young talent coming up… They know what they want. Just going back and reflecting on how we take these hurts and taking it into rebuilding into a different team next year,” Harris said. “Those are going to be huge pieces if they get some work in the offseason. We’ve just got to manufacture and find that grit and all-in attitude. That’s what it’s going to take to build a legacy somewhat of what Henderson County has as always being in the top tier of our region.”
