BARBOURVILLE — Haiden Bingham delivered the match-winning point as Barbourville battled back from a two-set deficit to complete a thrilling reverse sweep of Clay County in five sets.
“I am so proud of this team and the way they want to win,” Barbourville coach Bry Strunk said. “They keep proving it time and time again. We pulled up one of our new freshman players tonight for middle, Haiden Bingham, and she did phenomenal, even earning the game-winning point. Our team was putting in the work all together, though.
“Addi Evans had 10 assists with five of her own kills, along with five aces. Our libero, Alina James, had 11 digs with four assists and one kill,” she added. “Aubrey Richardson had three kills, three aces, and five digs. Alex Urton had one kill with two aces. Bri Arthur had two kills with two aces. Carley Clark had two kills, one block, with one ace. Lily Linn had four successful digs. Cierra Hawkins had two kills, two blocks, and two aces. Haiden Bingham had three blocks.”
Clay County grabbed control early, winning the opening set 25-18 before edging Barbourville 27-25 in the second to take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
The Lady Tigers refused to go away.
Barbourville dominated the third set, 25-13, to begin its comeback and then fought out a 25-23 victory in the fourth to force a decisive fifth set. The Lady Tigers carried the momentum into the finale, winning 15-9 to complete the comeback.
Bingham, a freshman who was brought up to play middle, finished with three blocks and delivered the game-winning point.
Addi Evans turned in an all-around performance with 10 assists, five kills and five aces. Libero Alina James recorded 11 digs, four assists and a kill, while Aubrey Richardson added three kills, three aces and five digs.
Cierra Hawkins contributed two kills, two blocks and two aces. Bri Arthur had two kills and two aces, Carley Clark added two kills, one block and an ace, Alex Urton finished with a kill and two aces, and Lily Linn recorded four digs.
“It was a great game from Clay County. They have a great program over there,” Strunk said. “We love seeing our region growing. I’m just thankful our team stayed together until the end and never gave up. We can’t wait to keep adding to the records.”
