The Lady highlanders lost 2-0 to the Bobcats but they did not give away the win so easily. Throughout both sets Highlands was within 2-4 points, but they couldn’t come together.
Gracie McCall kills the ball against Blue Ridge on Sept. 11. Highlands ended up losing 2-0.
“We weren’t talking or playing smart,” said eighth-grader Ashlynn Wilson. “Our serves weren’t going over and we weren’t getting the ball when it was short. But the no-talking was the worst.”
Ashlynn Wilson serves the ball to Blue Ridge.
She added that one of the players on Blue Ridge was especially good at tipping the ball over the net.
“She was really good, it would always go somewhere we couldn’t get,” said Wilson.
6th-grader Katie Earp said she was disappointed about the loss.
“I wished we talked more,” said Earp. “It was really quiet.”
She added that she wants to work on her serve before facing Smokey Mountain on Thursday.
Sixth-grader Shirley Diaz said she shares in Earp’s disappointment.
“We’re all disappointed, but we’re just going to work and play harder next time,” she said. “We’re going to work hard and hopefully beat them next time.”
Jasmine Oakley (#3) and Karmen Jenkins both go for the ball against Blue Ridge.
Seventh-grader Olivia Cole said she knows the team can play better.
“I felt like we weren’t even talking,” said Cole. “We could have played much better if we were playing like I know we can.”
The next game is away on Sept. 13 against Smokey but eigth-grader Karmen Jenkins said sometimes playing on the road helps her relax.
“I think playing away makes me do better because I don’t know anyone around the gym so I’m not as nervous,” said Jenkins.
Since Highlands hasn’t played Smokey yet this season, Jenkins said they will likely devise a game strategy watching the opposition warm up.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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