James Collier
The Ashland Beacon
Boyd County raced out to a sizable lead in the opening set Thursday against Paul Lawrence Dunbar in the 2022 State Volleyball Quarterfinals at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester.
Leading 11-6, the Lady Lions looked poised to continue its dominance over their foes only to watch the Bulldogs even the frame at 15-15 followed by a 10-1 run to take the set, 25-16. Boyd County could find no answer the rest of the way to slow down the Region 11 Champions as the Lady Lions fell 3-0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-12) to the Bulldogs.
Dunbar stayed with its hot finish from the first set with a 7-2 surge to open Set 2. The Bulldogs pushed the lead to 10 and closed on a 7-0 run for a 2-0 lead in the match. Both team's volleyed for position in the third set before Dunbar snapped a 7-7 tie with a mini 4-0 run followed by a 7-0 run to clinch the win.
Taylor Bartrum led the Lions with seven kills. Carly Mullins added six kills and a block and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Boyd County hosted the opening round of the state tournament against 10th Region champions Bishop Brossart winning in three sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-13). Bartrum had 16 kills, followed by Mullins with 12 and Emma Sparks 11. Sparks was also presented with a plaque recognizing her for 1,000 career kills as a Lady Lion.
Boyd County closed its season at 37-5 while surpassing last season’s 34 wins for the most in a single season. Boyd County graduates seven seniors from the program; Ally Caldwell, Carly Mullins, Emma Sparks, Laney Blevins, Lyndsey Ekers, Sophia Gifford and Layken Roach.