Lady Hawks down Vernon in five sets

The Lady Hawks defeated Vernon on Saturday in five sets – battling back from being down 2-1 to win 22-25, 27-25, 18-25, 25-19, 16-14. Cailyn Johns led the way with 11 kills and 17 digs for the Lady Hawks in the District 7-3A win that ensures the Lady Hawks a bi-district playoff spot.
Bethany Blackwell’s block put the Lady Hawks ahead 7-2 in the first set. Catherine McAlister’s kill broke a 19-19 tie to make it 20-19, but the Lady Lions took the first set 22-25.
In the second set, the Lady Hawks dug deep and showed tremendous heart and grit. Facing match point at 24-18, Bethany Blackwell’s block at the net staved off elimination, making it 24-19. Tied 25-25 Micah Coombes bent backwards to reject a volley back over the net to the endline for a kill to make it 26-25.
In the fifth and deciding set, Catherine McAlister’s kill broke a 14-14 deadlock as she took a set up from Hannah Stewart to the left corner and she drove it down the line off a Lady Lion defender to set up game point. McAlister then sent home the game winner for the Lady Hawks.
JV defeated Vernon 25-27, 18-25. Iowa Park 9th grade defeated Vernon 11-25, 11-25.

Lady Hawk libero Hannah Stewart returns a volley as senior teammate Cailyn Johns backs her up in recent district volleyball action. Johns had 17 digs and 11 kills in a win Saturday.
Mike Chacanaca/Iowa Park Journal