BARBOURVILLE — Knox Central survived a five-set battle against Clay County on Thursday, holding off the Lady Tigers’ upset bid to claim a 3-2 victory.
The Lady Panthers improved to 11-10 on the season, while Clay County dropped to 8-14.
Knox Central jumped out quickly in the opener, racing to a 7-0 lead before cruising to a 25-17 win. Clay County answered in the second, using a strong mid-set run to even things with a 25-17 victory of its own.
The third set proved to be the turning point. Clay County built a commanding 22-15 lead and appeared to be in control, but Knox Central stormed back, closing on a 4-0 run to steal it, 26-24.
Clay County refused to fold, rallying in the fourth set after trailing 9-4. The Lady Tigers tied things up at 12 and pulled away late for a 25-22 win to force a decisive fifth set.
That’s when Knox Central regained control. The Lady Panthers stormed ahead 7-2 and never looked back, finishing off the match with a 15-7 fifth-set win.
Both Knox Central and Clay County will return to action Saturday at the Bobcat Classic, hosted by Bell County.
