Last season, the Central Hardin volleyball team had a short season (for them). They were bested by Elizabethtown in the 5th Region Volleyball final by a typical vicious match. Afterwards you could see the hurt and emotional state of the team, many which would be back next season, despite a talented senior class about to depart. This time around, they left nothing to chance as they cut a swath through the regular season schedule and were ready for Tournament time beating Elizabethtown in both the District and Region Tournaments. Probably the most impressive was the 3-0 set over the powerful Lady Panthers in the deciding Region Championship game.
Last season, in the deciding Region final, which the Lady Bruins lost, Bruin coach Bill Reinker remarked at how many blocks the Lady Panthers front wall manned by then Freshman Jessica Smallwood had on this front-line hitters and knew that they would have to find a way to neutralize that part of their defense if they were to challenge, this season. Ironically, the building actually began during the regular season matchups when Central Hardin took both meetings from the talented Lady Panthers (3-2 and 3-0). Although, both victories were close, the Lady Bruins began to find a strategy they would use against the taller Elizabethtown team. When the two met in the District Final, it was once again close (29-27, 25-18, 29-27), but Central Hardin was victorious again winning 3-0. Despite 22-kills by Jessica Smallwood and 35-assist by Alex Jenkins, Central Hardin was fueled by Sadie Atcher’s 11-kills and Katelyn Vest’s 31-assists. The Lady Bruins also stayed ahead with Vest’s 14-digs and Samantha Nelson’s timely (19-digs) defensive backline play. So when the two teams met again after navigating their way through the first two rounds of the 5th Region Volleyball Tournament at Elizabethtown high school, it was certain to be hotly contested all the way. Addison Keith remarked “It’s always a tough battle when we play Elizabethtown.” Everyone else expected possibly a 5-set match which could swing either way. Central Hardin came out swinging as did the Lady Panthers however the Lady Bruins squeezed out a 27-25 win in the first set.
After that, Central Hardin seized the initiative and took game two 25-15 and then ended it all with a 25-18 deciding third win finalizing the sweep. Once again both sisters Jessica Smallwood (18-kills) and Josie Smallwood (11-kills) had big games as did Alex Jenkins (32-assists) and Avery Powers (30-digs) who both closed out their senior years in style, but they were simply unable to hold down Central Hardin. Seniors Addison Keith and Harper Lewis combined for 15-kills, while Taylor Larkin and Sadie Atcher had 16-kills. Vest contributed 27-assists and Samantha Nelson had 13-digs. Central Hardin’s 11th Region crown (since the 5th Region formed in 2003) was another glorious testament to the competitive athletes which have come through their system over the past twenty years and proof that there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight for the powder blue. The same can be said for Elizabethtown, who will lose several key starters in Powers, Jenkins and Josie Smallwood, but the machine just keeps rolling along. So the Lady Bruins move on and despite their exciting five set loss to Mercy in the first round of the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen, there was plenty to be proud of as Central Hardin lost the first two games before rallying and forcing a game five before finally falling. In many ways, the Lady Bruins fight against one of the Big Three in KY was also proof that the higher powers are quickly closing the gap. Rineker is now in nearly is second decade as an assistant and head coach and has hinted his time on the sideline is coming to a close. Even so, when that time comes, there is no question that probably no matter who is on the sideline, little will change as both Central Hardin and Elizabethtown will be slugging it out to decide who extends their season past the Region Tourney and if both coaches (both Bart Catlett and Rineker are friends) have it their way, each hopes they are a little more successful than the other.
