PRESTONSBURG – The Betsy Layne Ladycats fended off Floyd County rival South Floyd 2-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23) Tuesday night in the 54th District Volleyball Tournament at Prestonsburg.

Betsy Layne prevailed after dropping the first game of the district tournament match.

The Ladycats earned the right to face Allen Central in the district tournament title match Thursday evening.

Keleigh Wagner (1 ace, 6 assists, 2 kills), Taylor Watkins (2 aces, 8 kills, 7 digs, 5 blocks), Cecelia Ray (4 assists, 1 dig), Allie Meade (1 ace, 5 assists, 4 kills, 1 block), Audri Ray (4 kills, 2 digs, 4 blocks), Savannah Meade 2 ace, 5 assists), Paige Watkins (1 ace) and Tayler Akers (1 ace) paced the Ladycats.

In a district tournament match played earlier Tuesday evening, Allen Central blanked Piarist School 2-0, winning 25-16, 25-17.

The Ladycats tied for first in conference play but lost a coin flip to Allen Central, putting them in the second seed for the district tournament bracket.

South Floyd played extremely well in the opening game against Betsy Layne, defeating the Ladycats 25-18.

In a strong come-from-behind effort, Betsy Layne battled right back.

“My girls were determined to give it their all,” said Betsy Layne Coach Christina Crase. “After restructuring again because we were able to get our junior Audri Ray back, the team was a little rusty at first. However, once the second game started I could see them coming around.”

The Ladycats came back strong and excelled early on in the second game, eventually winning 25-22.

The Ladycats were in control with a 15-6 lead in the third game before South Floyd started to come back. But the Ladycats had an answer and pulled off a thrilling 25-23 win.

“I was very excited with the big lead in the third game, but like always when playing a good team, we had to keep fighting until the end,” Crase commented. “We had some big plays down the stretch and I am so proud of my girls.”

Betsy Layne finished 2008 as the 15th Region runner-up. The Ladycats have now earned the right to play in another 15th Region Tournament.

“I am so proud of my team,” Crase commented. “They knew what they had to do and they went out there and did it. Yes, they got off to a rough start, but they never stopped and kept fighting until the end. We are so glad to have our junior Audri Ray back and our trio of junior leaders really stepped up along with our other returning player from last year Allie Meade. They were really strong in the win and they know what they want to accomplish the rest of this week and next.”