After an impressive 30-win season, Simon Kenton’s year came to a close Thursday night after their defeat in straight sets (25-20, 26-24, 25-20) to North Oldham in the 8th Region volleyball final.
Haunted by last year’s 8th Region finishes, neither team wanted to relive their worst fear on Halloween night. While the Pioneers got the best of the Mustangs last season in the semifinals, they too fell short in the championship match for a third time in four seasons.
Controlling the momentum from the first serve, North Oldham jumped out to a quick 13-8 lead in the opening set. The Mustangs had seven players with recorded kills, all of whom filled up the state sheet in the first set.
“I don’t care who’s out on the court for us,” North Oldham head coach Brian Jones said. “I’ve got faith they can get the job done. I’m not sure many other teams in the state can say that.”
Simon Kenton’s Jenna Kitchens was the go-to hitter for the Pioneers on the night as she recorded eight of the team’s first 11 points. Despite the efforts, unforced errors piled on for the Pioneers as they fell 25-20 in the opening set.
“We know North Oldham has always been a powerhouse in this region,” Simon Kenton head coach Amy Marx said. “The level you have to come out with to compete is high and to be as close as we were with them proved we’re able to show that.”
Simon Kenton proved that early on in the season, as the Pioneers were able to defeat the Mustangs in a four set match at home.
“At that time, the girls weren’t able to adjust mid-match the way they can now,” Jones said. “Then they were used to playing one style of defense and that’s just not my motto. If something’s not working, I’ll fix it mid-set.”
Jones’ philosophy was evident throughout the match as the Mustangs showed a number of formations and attacked the Pioneers every which way making it hard to guess their next move. In fact, the Pioneers weren’t able to obtain their first lead until a block by senior Kiera Hans put Simon Kenton up 9-8 in the second set.
What felt like a must win set for Simon Kenton, the Pioneers drew the set even at 24. That’s when North Oldham’s Reagan Baxter stepped up with a kill that allowed the Mustangs to seal a narrow 26-24 set victory.
Photo slideshow below, provided by Marc Figgins:
“After the second set, we told ourselves this wasn’t going to happen again,” Baxter said referring to their last loss against Simon Kenton in which the Mustangs won only the opening set. “We were going to sweep them and we’re going to take that trophy.”
With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers had one last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. Cutting a 6-2 deficit, Kitchens had four kills to bring the set back to within one point.
Unfortunately for Simon Kenton, North Oldham had an answer for every punch thrown their way. The set was within reach until Baxter delivered horror to the Pioneers once again, this time recording the Mustang’s last six points to seal the 8th Region title.
“I told the girls before we started the match that it’s about wanting to win instead of the actual win itself,” Marx said. “It didn’t work out for us tonight but I’m not disappointed about the loss. I’m sad for my seniors but to see where these girls started and where they finished is all I could ask.”
With seven rostered seniors, players such as Hans and teammate Tori Chasteen were a part of all four of the program’s regional championship appearances throughout their five-year varsity career.
“They (seniors) have set the bar very high,” Marx said. “We do highs and lows at every practice and we did one today. Just the laughs and camaraderie between the girls really showed their friendship and bond they’ve created.”
Kitchens and Hans combined for 26 kills on the night and represented Simon Kenton’s 8th Region all-tournament team alongside Chasteen.
Unable to continue their run, the 8th Region title is welcomed back to familiar territory. Thursday night’s win marks North Oldham’s 12th Eighth Region title since ‘08 and Jones’ fourth title with the team after being away from the program for 10 years.
Baxter was awarded the 8th Region tournament MVP while teammates Vita Sensenbrenner, Campbell Floyd, and Josie Scales. North Oldham will face Mercy Academy Monday night in the opening round of the state tournament.
8th Region All-Tournament Team: Shelby County- Elly Courtney, Eminence- Lauren Thomas, Henry County- Riley Denny, Oldham County- Mya Hunt, Grant County- Isabelle Russell, Olivia Ginn, Collins- Emma Gutermuth, Jocelyn Early, Simon Kenton- Jenna Kitchens, Kiera Hans, Tori Chasteen, North Oldham- Vita Sensenbrenner, Campbell Floyd, Josie Scales, MVP Reagan Baxter