Floyd Central and Paintsville are no strangers when it comes to battling for the 15th Region tournament volleyball title.
Both will meet Wednesday evening in the semifinals following opening round wins over Belfry and East Ridge at the Reservation on Monday night. It will be a rematch of the 2017 and 2018 region finals, both won by the Lady Tigers.
The Jaguars improved to 28-7 overall and won for the seventh straight time in the 25-14, 25-9 and 25-8 win over the Lady Pirates.
Jadyn Hall had 14 kills while Gabby Howard followed with 12 and Caley Howard added 10. Caroline Parsons totaled 24 assists and Alivia Stumbo had six digs, three assists, two kills and two serving aces.
Floyd Central won the only meeting this season at Wolfe County, sweeping the Lady Tigers.
Paintsville rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat the Lady Warriors, 3-2.
Kara Ward had 15 kills and nine digs in the 26-24, 22-25, 15-25, 25-22 and 15-8 match. Hailey Little was outstanding with 31 kills, two blocks, six digs and three serving aces as Paintsville improved to 28-8.
Hadley Hardin finished with nine kills, two blocks and 13 digs while Kaitlyn Newsome totaled four kills, one block, 14 digs and four aces. Mattie Ratliff had 13 kills while Bella Blackburn collected 46 assists and 18 digs.
The Lady Warriors were led by Sarah Tackett’s 23 kills and 15 digs. Hannah Thacker had 14 kills and seven blocks while Haley Parks managed nine kills, 23 digs and two aces. Lakin Puckett finished with four kills, two blocks, 42 assists and 10 digs. Hannah Blackburn added 10 kills.
The Lady Warriors season ended at 21-9.
Here is a look at tonight’s semifinal matches:
Pike County Central (19-9) vs. Betsy Layne (17-18), 6:30 p.m.
Pikeville (29-7) vs. Martin County (23-11), 8 p.m.