Another first can be checked off the list for the Boyd Lady Broncos. The amazing group, which is coming off a TNCAA championship in 2021 and has been taking big strides the last three years, were able to beat the MT Heat for the first time in program history Tuesday.

It was a wild game at JK Stanley Gymnasium, with the Lady Broncos battling for five sets. In the end, Boyd was able to close out the victory by pulling away and taking the final set 15-10.

“It’s awesome,” said coach Kaylee Chisam about Boyd finally beating the Heat. “I’m very proud of our team and so happy for them.”

Boyd got off to a good start, winning the first set with ease. It started a back-and-forth battle, where the Heat won the second and fourth sets, while the Lady Broncos surged to a 25-18 win in the third set, punctuated by a big kill for Emma Miller on the final point.

When the Heat charged back to force a final set, the Lady Broncos had to regroup and decide on a serving strategy to hopefully build a lead. Lottie Hash took care of it, getting Boyd out in front for good.

Hash had a pair of aces to put the Lady Broncos up early, then Krista Chisam came through with more too-hot-to-handle serves as Boyd went up 7-1. It was cruise control from there, culminating in a big celebration once the final point was on the board.

Coach Chisam believed the early serving from Hash and Kaylee, her younger sister, was exactly what the team needed in the fifth set.

“It’s super important to get off quick. If we would have missed serves, it could’ve gotten away (from us). It’s a race to 15, so it’s usually whoever gets up first that wins,” said coach Chisam. “Lottie did great and it felt good when Krista was serving. It’s good to have her, but you still have to play it out.”

Making the win more impressive for Boyd was that the Lady Broncos were playing without one of its star players. Senior Audrey Durham was still on vacation from Labor Day weekend, leaving the team without one of its top hitters and an excellent all-around defender. Boyd found ways to compensate though.

“I think it took a second to adjust, but once they did, they were able to cover spots and do what they were supposed to do,” said coach Chisam.

Mia Onderka and Anslee McCrary were fierce at the net, Miller and Kealey Simpson helped out with blocking and Lanya Byars and Journee Page added big serves throughout the match.

The victory leaves Boyd at 7-1 overall this season. The Lady Broncos will be back at home next Friday, Sept. 16 with a tri-match against Daniel 1 Academy and the Bradley Knights. Action should start at 6 p.m.