Photo: Hernando’s Skylar Thornton (10) attempts a kill shot through Lewisburg defenders that include Mary Olivia Barnes (30). (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
LEWISBURG – The Lewisburg Lady Patriots volleyball team secured the Region 1-7A regular season championship Tuesday night with a straight-sets victory over rival Hernando, winning 27-25, 25-20, 25-21.
The win not only locked up the region crown and top seed from the region for the upcoming MHSAA 7A state playoffs, but at the end of the match, Lewisburg celebrated a personal milestone for head coach Amy Hendrichovsky.
Last Saturday, Hendrichovsky claimed her 150th career coaching victory at Lewisburg with a straight-set victory at Bartlett, Tenn. She became the school’s all-time winningest coach with win number 143 back in August against John Carroll Catholic, Ala., surpassing current Northwest Mississippi Community College coach Allison Burchyett’s win total while coaching at Lewisburg.
“I thought both teams competed really well and really hard, it was a great 7A matchup and a great night,” Hendrichovsky said after the match. “This is the kind of play you want at this time of year as you get ready for the playoffs.”
Hendrichovsky credited her squad for making key adjustments from the previous week. “We worked on some things technically and tactically, and the girls stayed calmer and together,” she said.
With a balanced attack against Hernando, Lewisburg’s Mary Olivia Barnes scored seven kills, six blocks and two digs. Addison Cole had 11 kills, 17 assists, 14 digs, one ace. Kate Denman ended with nine kills, Gwen Tuffield eight kills, Morgan Manasco-Griffith five kills, Makayla Gathright scored four kills. Kamari Parker had 20 assists and Laney Wier finished with 18 digs.
With the region title secured, Lewisburg will host a first-round playoff match, a reward Hendrichovsky said provides “a better path” toward another deep postseason run. Still, she cautioned her players to keep their focus. “We still have the county tournament this weekend. I’m just trying to get them to focus one day at a time,” she added.
Reflecting on her coaching milestone, Hendrichovsky expressed gratitude for the program and community. “This has been a great place to me. I’ve been very grateful, not just with the players, but the families that surround us,” she said.
Hendrichovsky also acknowledged the foundation laid before her. “Coach Burchyett did a great job building the program, and I was just lucky enough to come in and coach her daughter Baylee. Every group I’ve had since I’ve been here has been great.”
With the region title clinched and history made, the Lady Patriots now turn their attention to fine-tuning for the DeSoto County Tournament Saturday and a regular season match Tuesday against defending Tennessee Division 2-A champion Northpoint Christian.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Prep volleyball
Lake Cormorant 3, Oxford 1 (17-25, 25-12, 25-21, 27-25)
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
