Bob Bakken, DeSoto County News
What Lake Cormorant lacked in drama, Lewisburg certainly made up for it in the Lady Patriots’ five-set comeback victory. The successful defense of last year’s 7A state championship became the sixth state title for the Lewisburg volleyball program. Set scores were 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-8.
The Lady Patriots played uncharacteristic volleyball in the first two sets, as Ocean Springs took the first two sets by identical 25-20 scores.
Lewisburg, after trailing early but recovered for a 13-11 lead on a kill from Jordis Newsom. The Greyhounds came back to take a 15-14 lead after a kill from Anna Hoffmeyer and never trailed after that.
Again in the second set, Lewisburg had early leads but nothing more than two points until Ocean Springs broke open a 12-11 lead. With Lucy Pepper serving, the Greyhounds took a 16-11 lead before Lewisburg could answer. The lead never grew to more than five, however, and despite another kill from Newsom, the Greyhounds won the set 25-20.
Lewisburg mounted their comeback in the third set, winning 25-18 and breaking open the set to a 17-12 lead. Ocean Springs mounted a comeback to 18-16 for the Lady Patriots but Lewisburg scored seven of the next nine points for the set win.
The fourth set started with a 4-0 Lewisburg lead with Baylee Burchyett serving but Ocean Springs cut the margin to 8-6. The lead went back-and-forth between one and four points for the Lady Patriots until Hallie Wright set down a pair of kills for the 25-20 victory.
The final set to 15 points went Lewisburg’s way with Ava Becker serving toward an 11-4 lead. It was Wright again helping finish off the Greyhounds with a block and kill before the final point settled the match for Lewisburg.
“We have a very tough group, a very close knit group, and they build their souls to win,” said coach Amy Hendrichovsky. “We train hard every day, we work hard every day. We prepare for these kinds of moments.”