Despite not playing their best, the Lady Jackets built a five-point lead late in game one.
With Katie Maiden serving, Middlesboro scored three straight points to take a 24-19 lead.
But Harlan scored seven straight points to take game one 26-24.
Middlesboro struggled with their serves early in game two and the Lady Dragons took advantage. Harlan built a 12-7 lead and appeared to be on their way to an upset.
“We just did not play well in the first two games tonight,” said Lady Jacket coach Julie Osborne. “The gym was dead from the moment we got here and we didn’t seem like we were ready to play.”
But the Lady Jackets responded. With Senior Courtney Gibbs and junior Kaylan Powers leading the way.
Four straight service points by Powers — including a pair of kills by Gibbs and one from Sidni Schneider — tied the game at 12.
“I was glad we were able to turn it around and pull it out,” Osborne said. “I think we learned that we have to be ready to play every time we step on the court.”
Harlan took a 15-14 lead, but again Middlesboro rallied.
The Lady Jackets scored five straight points with Maiden serving — Gibbs and Powers both had kills during the spurt — to pull out to a 20-15 edge.
Gibbs later served out the game as Middlesboro won 25-18.
Powers set the tone early in game three with a powerful serve. The Lady Jackets scored the first eight points of the game.
Maiden kept the momentum going with a pair of aces as Middlesboro’s lead quickly grew to 11-2.
Whitney Ellis had a block and a kill to go along with strong play at the net by Gibbs, Powers and Schneider.
Four service points by Hollie Uhl put MHS on top 21-7 and they went on to the 25-9 win.
Middlesboro (14-3, 5-0 district) hosts Clay County Thursday.
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