Harlan County and Bell County enter the 52nd District Tournament on Monday at Harlan High School as the favorites to meet for the sixth straight year in the district finals.
Bell County won district titles in 1019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 while Harlan County won in 2022 and last year. The Lady Bears claimed this year’s No. 1 seed after splitting two regular season matchups against Bell. The Lady Bears won the tie-breaker by winning in one fewer sets. Harlan County brings a 15-13 record into the opening opening game Monday at 6 against Harlan, lacking the consistency from a year ago, which is something of a surprise with a senior-dominated squad led by Kylee Hoiska, Kalista Dunn and Savannah Hill. Hoiska led the team in kills during the regular season with 4 per match while Dunn has averaged 2.7. Hill is first in assists with 7.5 per match. Hoiska leads in service aces with 68, followed closely by Madi Nolan with 63 and Dunn with 57 and Hill with 46.
Harlan brings a 6-24 record into the tournament with nine straight losses and 16 of the last 17. Peyshaunce Wynn, a sophomore, has led the Lady Dragons with 2.55 kills per match. Gracie Hensley, a junior, has just under 5 assists per match with 374 for the season. Shaedyn Crow, a freshman, is first in aces with 72 and in digs with 405 for an average of 5.5 per match.
Bell County has the district’s best record at 25-10 and will seek its seventh straight regional tournament appearance and fifth district title in seven years after having none before coach Shawn Fultz took over the program. The Lady Cats will play Middlesboro at 7:30 on Monday.
Kairi Lamb, a 6-foot-3 senior, has led the Lady Cats this season in kills with 441 and blocks with 74. Reece Jasick, a junior leads in service aces with 101. Jasick is also first in assist with 366, followed by closely by Nevaeh Allen with 357.
Middlesboro, at 8-14, has doubled its win total from a year ago under first-year coach Ashley Russell.
Maleah Crenshaw, a junior, has led the team in kills with 82 and service aces with 58 and is second in digs with 116. Addison Lawson, a senior, is first in digs with 121. Leah Spencer, a senior, is first in blocks with 19.
The two winners will meet on Tuesday at 7 for the district championship.