Two points away from perhaps their biggest volleyball victory this decade, the Harlan County Lady Bears couldn’t hang on as three-time defending district champ Bell County claimed a five-set win over visiting HC on Tuesday by a score of 22-25, 25-7, 21-25, 25-11, 15-13.
Destiny Cornett was one of several Lady Bears with big nights as she recorded 24 assists, seven digs, two aces and two kills. Ashton Evans had 22 digs, five kills and two aces. Kylee Hoiska added 18 digs, three kills and one assist. Lindsay Hall contributed 16 digs, six kills and one assist. Kalista Dunn added 12 digs, seven kills and one assist. Lesleigh Brown had one ace. Emilee Eldridge added two digs.
The 2-2 Lady Bears return to district action Thursday at home against Middlesboro. The 7-2 Lady Cats will travel to Perry Central on Tuesday.

———

The Harlan County junior varsity team fell 28-26, 21-18.
Destiny Cornett led the Lady Bears with 16 assists, six points, two aces and one dig. Kylee Moyers had six kills with three digs, one ace and three points. Taylor Clem had six digs, two kills, one ace and three points. Rileigh Duff added five digs, six points, one ace and one kill. Kaitlyn Daniels added three points and one ace.
HCHS fell 21-8, 21-7 in freshman action.
Duff had six digs to lead the Lady Bears. Chelsey Farley added three points. Karli Shoupe contributed three digs. Maddy Middleton added one dig and one ace.