The Sacred Heart volleyball team captured its first state championship since 2003. Photo by Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal
Paige Hammons said she was more nervous than she’s ever been before a volleyball match. When it was over, Lauryn Bennett was moved to dab in a photo for the first time.
A season full of emotion finally came to a head for Sacred Heart Academy on Sunday, and the Valkyries went out as champions.
Hammons had 19 kills to earn tournament MVP honors and Bennett added 16 kills as Sacred Heart defeated Henry Clay 25-19, 25-13, 19-25, 25-19 in the state tournament championship match at Valley High School.
Long the third fiddle to rivals Assumption (19) and Mercy (seven) in the chase for state volleyball titles, Sacred Heart picked up its second and first since 2003.
The Valkyries (40-4) were ranked No. 1 in the state for the majority of the season but faced obstacles in the addition of new head coach Brett Versen and the pressure of nine seniors facing their last chance to win a state title.
“That’s just the way it is at Sacred Heart in any sport: We expect to be in the state championship and win state championships,” said Versen, whose team is ranked No. 7 in the nation by USA Today. “That’s what they come here for, and that’s what we want.
“We talked all year that being No. 1 doesn’t matter and being the favorite doesn’t matter. We have to go out there and handle what’s on our side of the court. … The results spoke for themselves this year.”
Hallie Shelton had 15 kills and Kaitlyn Hord 13 to lead Henry Clay (37-7), ranked No. 4 in the state. The Blue Devils beat No. 3 Mercy in Saturday’s semifinals to become just the second public school in tournament history to reach the final, joining Greenwood (2011).
Henry Clay coach Dale Grupe said he was proud of his team’s effort but lamented the nine attack errors the Blue Devils committed in both the first and second sets.
“We were keeping balls alive, but we sure as heck couldn’t put them back down,” Grupe said. “We kept fighting, but we really didn’t have our ‘A’ game all night.”
Henry Clay led 16-15 in the first set before Sacred Heart responded with a 6-1 run – getting two kills from Bennett – for a 21-17 lead. Henry Clay pulled within 21-19 before the Valkyries scored four straight points to wrap up the set.
Hammons was at her best during the second set, posting seven kills, two digs and an ace as the Valkyries never trailed.
“They’re big-game players,” Versen said of Hammons and Bennett. “Paige is so used to going up there and swinging in big moments in high school and club and being on the national team. Lauryn is so quiet and calm over there, and then all of a sudden the ball explodes off of her arm.”
After taking the third set, Henry Clay led 15-12 in the fourth set after a kill by Hord. But the Valkyries put on an impressive offensive display to close out the match.
Bennett had five kills and Hammons three during a 13-4 run. Bennett and Kaelin Gentile also combined on a pair of blocks, and Katie Arnold’s kill was the championship-winner that sparked a wild Valkyries celebration on the court.
“We started getting more momentum and great defensive plays and blocks,” said Bennett, who has committed to Emory University. “I think that’s what pushed us over to win.”
Grupe said Bennett’s play on the right side was the difference in the match.
“We didn’t have an answer for her, and that’s who they kept going to,” Grupe said. “Paige is a great player, but it was their right side who really hurt us tonight.”
When it was over, Sacred Heart’s nine seniors gathered for several pictures – first with smiles and then with the dab. Bennett wouldn’t do the dab at first, then finally relented, leading to cheers of “Lauryn! Lauryn!” from her teammates.
Hammons was asked whether she felt more joy or relief now that the journey was over and wasn’t sure how to respond.
“When I see that banner go up at Sacred Heart,” Hammons said, “I will never be more proud of a team.”
All-tournament team: Paige Hammons, Nadia Dieudonne, Lauryn Bennett (Sacred Heart); Kaitlyn Hord, Hallie Shelton, Darby Music (Henry Clay); Brooke Hammons, Madison Clements (North Oldham); Isabel Salameh, Kelly O’Neil (Mercy); DeLaney Rideout (Apollo); Alexis Rich (West Jessamine); Leigh Grubb (Raceland); Alexa Davis (Greenwood).
MVP: Paige Hammons (Sacred Heart).
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.