Hannan sweeps Reserve Christian in finale

Archbishop Hannan’s Lady Hawks recognized lone senior Katie Bailey and her parents at the opening of Tuesday’s district home match with the Reserve Christian Lady Eagles. Bailey didn’t disappoint the Hawks’ home crowd as she hammered the first kill and finished with a match-high 15 kills, sparking Hannan to a sweep, 25-10, 25-13, 25-16.

Hannan (9-14) finished in second place in district with an 8-2 mark. Reserve Christian (6-15) finished 5-5 in district play.

Bailey tallied three kills in game one, but more importantly shined with her serving. With Hannan leading 7-5, Bailey reeled off 12 consecutive points, including five aces, to give the Lady Hawks a 14-point cushion. Hannan junior Emily Smith came up strong at the net during Bailey’s 12-point run, finishing off four kills.

Bailey, who played with a knee brace to protect a sprained MCL, said the day started out kind of sad for her knowing it would be her last regular season game at home.

When Bailey got her first kill attempt on the initial serve, she said she just wanted to literally kill it.

“I felt really good when it went down. I knew I had to give it everything I had. We have become really close as a team. Everybody does their part,” Bailey said.

Bailey, a two-sport athlete who also plays softball, said prior to her senior presentation of receiving an autographed ball and other gifts, her teammates told her she better not cry.

Hannan first-year coach Jennifer Pujol described Bailey as a special player.

“Katie is not only a great athlete, but she is a tremendous student who is involved in so many things at school. She volunteers her time and does a lot for other people and doesn’t ask for anything in return. She is a well-rounded, fantastic person who will be greatly missed,” Pujol said.

In game two, Hannan continued to build on its momentum with Julie Betz serving two points after the Lady Hawks earned a side out for a 3-0 lead. At 4-2, Natalie Powell blasted nine in a row with two aces to push to an 11-point margin. Trailing 24-10, Reserve Christian’s Courtney Randle served three straight points to make it 24-13. Tiffani Serven had a dink, and Lacie Felder notched a kill for the Lady Eagles. Hannan’s Betz tallied the final kill for the Lady Hawks to take game two 25-13.

Game three was tied 4-4 when Bailey ripped a kill to regain serve for Hannan. Bailey followed with four straight points, including three on aces, for a 9-4 advantage. Later, following a net serve, Hannan held a 13-8 lead. Betz continued the Lady Hawks’ strong serving with five straight points. Reserve Christian’s Victoria Michel fashioned a dink followed by Randle’s three points to trim the lead to 18-12 before Bailey smashed a kill.

Michel served two points for Reserve Christian, but Hannan’s Kimmy Kirsch answered with two points of her own to push the score to 22-15 on a couple Bailey kills.

Following a Reserve Christian net serve, Bailey served two points to close out the game three 25-16 on Smith’s kill.

Pujol said it was a good team victory as her club prepares for the upcoming playoffs.

“I’m proud of what this team has accomplished. We just need to continue working hard,” said the first-year coach.