The Garrard County Lady Lions are preparing for a high-stakes matchup against the Southwestern Lady Warriors in the opening round of the 2024 12th Region Volleyball Tournament. The game is scheduled to take place on October 29 at 6:30 PM at West Jessamine High School, a neutral site for the tournament.

The Lady Lions enter the tournament as the seventh seed after a hard-fought season and a second-place finish in the 45th District Tournament. They advanced to regionals with a thrilling five-set win over Danville Christian on October 22  after a convincing 3-0 victory over Kentucky School for the Deaf on October 21. Though they fell to Boyle County in the district championship on October 24, the Lady Lions have demonstrated resilience and momentum heading into the regional competition .

Key players for Garrard County include McKenzie Martin and Madilyn Combs, who have been consistent offensive threats throughout the season. Martin, leading the team with 256 kills and 57 blocks over the course of 29 games, will be critical in both front-row attacks and defensive plays at the net . Combs, another top performer, has accumulated 201 kills and 361 digs, providing both offense and stability in the back row. Setter Hannah Fuller, with 653 assists on the season, will be tasked with running the offense efficiently against a formidable Southwestern squad . (Note that these stat totals do not include the most recent game against Boyle county)

Southwestern, the third seed, promises to be a tough opponent. Known for their athleticism and depth, the Lady Warriors will look to capitalize on their higher seeding and experience. Garrard County will need to play with precision and energy to pull off an upset and advance to the next round.

If the Lady Lions prevail, they will face the winner of West Jessamine and Casey County on October 30. As the competition heats up, Garrard County hopes to make a deep run in the regional tournament and prove themselves against some of the region’s toughest teams.

With everything on the line, this match promises to be a thrilling showdown. Fans can expect an exciting evening of volleyball as the Lady Lions seek to continue their postseason journey.