Hidden Valley’s powerful net play proved too much for Bassett, as the Titans easily swept the Bengals 3-0 in the Region IV quarterfinal match Tuesday night in the Hidden Valley gym.
In a match that lasted less than 60 minutes, Hidden Valley parlayed receive, set and kill to perfection in the 25-9; 25-11; 25-10 takedown that allowed the entire Titan cast ample playing time.
Hidden Valley jumped out to leads of 18-4 in the first game, and 18-8 in the second, before pulling away midway through the clincher with a late scoring run.
Bassett had little success trying to neutralize Hidden Valley’s height, as the Titans scattered the Bengal defense with kills and blocks throughout the match.
Junior Madison Morris led Hidden Valley with 10 kills, while seniors Lauren Thomas, Caroline Boone and Emma Sweet fired 8, 7 and 7, respectfully, past the Bengals. Hannah Podeschi set the table all night for the Titan attack, finishing with 28 assists.
Hidden Valley hosted the regional semifinals Wednesday night, with the final set for the Hidden Valley gym Thursday (Nov. 8th). The collision course for a fourth meeting between the Titans and rival Cave Spring Thursday was still intact after Cave Spring swept Carroll County in what was described as a raucous Carroll County gym Monday night in Hillsville.
Hidden Valley has won all three matches with the Knights thus far this season.
“A match like tonight slows down our pace,” Hidden Valley head coach Carla Poff noted afterward. “We won’t get any practice to pick up the tempo for Wednesday’s match. But, it will be a faster game against Cave Spring.”
Should the Titans and Knights meet in the regional final Thursday, both teams will advance to the state quarterfinals with the winner hosting and the loser forced to play on the road.
BILL TURNER match story/ photos
