LouisvilleCatholicSports.com

Azzara, Horn honored during festivities

On a night that was Presentation Academy's senior night, as well as the team's final regular season home game, the Toppers defeated the Providence Pioneers 2-0 (25-23, 25-17) on Monday.

The Presentation victory came on a night that honored outgoing seniors Lisa Azzara and Christina Horn.

"We definitely played with teamwork and enthusiasm," said Horn, also noting that that the extra energy may have been due to the night being special.

The senior night game also featured mulitple lead changes and much back and forth action along the net, including hitting and blocks.

"The hitters (for both teams) were about even, said Presentation Head coach Paul Bowling. "It came down to tenacious defense and effective serving."

Serving issues was among the items Providence head coach Terri Purichia found during the game from her team.

"It was a good match," Purichia said. "We just made too many mistakes. We didn't serve the ball real well, and we need to pass the ball more."

The Toppers (12-11) spent the early part of the first match trying to keep up. A pair of service aces from Providence gave the Pioneers (18-9) the early lead.

A Providence service error gave Presentation control of the serve with the Pioneers leading 2-1. The Toppers and Pioneers continued trading serves, blocks, and kills during the match, which eventually became 8-5 in favor of the Pioneers.

Then, Presentation's run started, beginning with sophomore Serena Haming's strike that, although partially blocked by Providence players, landed on the Pioneer side of the net. Presentation continued its run with a combination of service aces, blocks, and strikes over Providence defenders.

When Providence called its first timeout, Presentation led 15-10. The lead increased to 19-10 before Providence closed the gap to 20-16 with its own offense before another timeout was called.

Presentation, however, never lost the lead and held on to win the first match 25-23 thanks to a stroke by sophomore Hannah Stevens.

The second match featured more offense and blocking along the net from both teams, leading to a close match. Neither team had a lead larger than two for most of the match, and when timeout was called, Presentation held on to a 21-19 lead.

The Toppers and Pioneers continued trading points until a Providence service error gave Presentation control of the serve, one the team would not give up. A serve from junior Erin Evans, a kill also by Evans, and a block from Presentation players gave Presentation the victory 25-20, winning the game two matches to zero.

Providence headed back to Indiana to face New Albany later on Monday. Presentation, meanwhile, will travel to Holy Cross Tuesday, a team that defeated Presentation 3-1 earlier this season.

Holy Cross will be in its own senior night Wednesday, and Azzara said the goal is simply this: "We're going in to win on their senior night."