Bowling Green Volleyball Sets School Record, only fourth 4th Region program to reach state final four
By Perry Swack
39 wins. 14th District champions. 4th Region champions. A state semifinal appearance. The Bowling Green volleyball program set a number of school and region records in 2022. After winning their first region title in 2021, the Lady Purples’ encore performance was even better. The 2021 unit reached the state quarterfinals, a school record at the time. The 2022 eclipsed that record, reaching the state semifinals. It was only the fourth time a 4th Region school has reached the state semifinals in volleyball.
There have been a lot of talented volleyball teams in the 4th Region over the years. In 2011, Greenwood became the first public school to reach the state championship game. In 2019, Greenwood won 38 games – a region record at the time. In 2008, Logan County won 37 games. In 2006, the Lady Gators reached the state semifinals, while South Warren reached the final four in 2017. However, no team in the 4th Region had ever won 39 games. Until now. With their improbable come-from-behind win over McCracken County in the state quarterfinals, the Lady Purples achieved its historic 39th win.
After only graduating four players from its talented 2021 roster, the Lady Purples seemed destined for history in 2022. They didn’t drop their first match until October 1, at a tournament in Mobile, Alabama. Coach Tim Sharp’s club did not lose a single set in the talented 14th District and only lost three total sets against region foes all season long. In the opening match of the state tournament, BG looked to avenge one of its two regular-season losses when it faced off with Elizabethtown. The Lady Purples won the first two sets, before losing the third and fourth set. The two teams found themselves in a 10-10 tie in the fifth set, but BG closed out the match with five-straight points to reach the state quarterfinals for a second-consecutive season.
In the quarterfinals, McCracken County flipped the script on Bowling Green as it won the first two sets and nearly sent the Lady Purples packing early. However, the 4th Region champions battled back and cruised to wins in sets three and four. They did not take the lead until 8-7 in the fifth set but ended up winning 15-9 to secure its historic 39th win and berth in the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Paul Laurence Dunbar and BG split the opening two sets, but the Lady Bulldogs eked out wins in the third (25-21) and fourth (25-22) set to eliminate Bowling Green from the state tournament. It was the first time a 4th Region school reached the semifinals since 2017.
A talented senior class graduates from Bowling Green having won 103 wins over the course of the last four years (including a shorter 2020 season). The Lady Purples will sorely miss the services of its five seniors. Setter Kaia Barnett recorded more than 700 assists and 100 service aces, while outside hitter Lily-Kate Carver tallied a combined 700 kills and digs this year. Fellow outside hitter Elizabeth Maglinger racked up 350 digs and libero Kenzie Austin had more than 400. Defensive specialist Molly Morton will be missed as well after providing depth for the Lady Purples all season long.
Although the most successful graduating class in school history will leave the halls of Bowling Green High, the cupboard will not be bare. Freshman Amirra Bailey will be back for her third varsity season in 2023, as will setter Makenna Kerrick, junior Ella Malone, defensive specialist Olivia Pinkard, and outside hitter Lauren Kessler. The fourth season of the Tim Sharp Era will surely be another fun season for Lady Purple Volleyball.
