BNL rallies for five-set victory over Red Devils in sectional opener

BNL coach Whitney Carroll guided the Stars to their first postseason win since 2017.

SEYMOUR – Bedford North Lawrence rallied from a two-set deficit to conquer Jeffersonville in the first round of the Class 4A sectional on Thursday night.

The Stars battled back for a thrilling 25-27, 12-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13 triumph. BNL (8-21) advanced to face defending sectional champion Floyd Central (21-10) in the second semifinal on Saturday.

Seymour (18-14 after a win over New Albany in the opening match) will battle Jennings County (19-12) in first semifinal at 11 a.m. The championship is set for Saturday night.

BNL avenged a regular-season loss (a three-set sweep on Sept. 30) to the Red Devils and recorded its first postseason victory since 2017.

“Amazing effort and win,” BNL coach Whitney Carroll said. “These girls fought and earned this win. I’m so proud of them.

“We started slow and got behind early. Even with big deficits, we fought back. That was the theme of the night for us, just call us the ‘Comeback Kids.’ After losing the second set, we talked in the huddle about going out there and giving it our very best and fighting for every single point. They did just that.
They never gave up.”

Sammie Gratzer had 18 kills and 10 digs while Camryn Anderson totaled 14 kills and 14 digs. Trinidy Bailey had 18 digs and 39 assists, Kendlyn Alvey added 11 digs, Isabelle Harding finished with 3 kills and 4 digs, Sara Williams had 2 kills and 4 digs, and Suttyn Alvey had 8 digs.

BNL won its only sectional title in 1982.