LAUREL HILL — Ashley Hatfield, Morgan Meeks and Bridget Zessin shared center stage in the Laurel Hill School Senior Night pregame celebration on Thursday.
The senior trio then led the way as the Hoboes beat Samson, Ala., in straight sets 25-14, 25-15, 25-17.
Laurel Hill-Samson volleyball photos >>>
As has been the case much of the year it was Zessin the daughter of Hobo coach Kent Zessin that was the main power source in the Laurel Hill attack.
Bridget had 11 kills and six aces to spark Laurel Hill while Meeks did her part with four aces and Hatfield chipped in eight digs.
For a few minutes it looked as if the Tigers might spoil the Hobo celebration as Samson led 10-7 early in the first set.
Kent Zessin was surprised that the Hoboes (19-4) didn’t get off to a great start.
“It was typical senior night,” he said. “We started out real slow, but the atmosphere going around is going to cause the seniors to do so. I tried to step back and let them have a little fun tonight, especially with my daughter being a senior.
“Overall they played pretty well. They played when they needed to play well and they stepped it up when we needed to step it up.”
A kill by sophomore Kaylee L’Homme helped spark the 18-3 run that allowed the Hoboes to cruise to the first set win. Rachel Welsh also came up big down the stretch with three aces and several other serves that kept the Tigers off balance.
Laurel Hill never trailed in the second set. An early kill by Zessin rallied the Hoboes in the set as they built a commanding 12-4 lead. Samson never got closer than within five points the rest of the set.
Samson had Laurel Hill on the ropes in the third set with a 10-6 lead. But a L’Homme kill and a kill by Hatfield helped turn the set in the favor of the Hoboes.
Zessin was at her best with the closing set on the line as she delivered three kills and three aces down the stretch to help finish off the win.
Meeks reflected on the moment as she left the home floor for one last time during the regular season.
“It was definitely bittersweet and sad,” she said. “I don’t want to leave the people I’m playing with, but we are moving on to bigger and better things, I guess.”
The Hoboes, the top seed in District 1-1A, have at least one more home match Thursday when the host the winner of the Bethlehem-Central in the District 1-1A tournament.
Kent Zessin thinks the Hoboes are ready for the post season.
“I like the way we are playing going into a district tournament,” he said. “We have plenty of time to make sure we know what we want to do and our game plan is in place. It (the district tournament) gives you a chance to start fresh and try to accomplish your goals.”
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill seniors lead Hoboes to win (PHOTOS)