Rosman varsity volleyball team left Blue Ridge Early College with a victory in their pocket after defeating the Lady Bobcats in 4 sets, 3-1. The loss for Blue Ridge is somewhat saddened as it was senior night. Blue Ridge Early College seniors Jade Bryson, Devon Heenen and Hailee Moss were honored before play began for their academic achievements at school.

“I’m not really disappointed,” said Moss. “We played really well and we fought hard.”

Blue Ridge won the second set and lost the other three, but each game was close. Throughout the match there were numerous tie scores with only a couple of points difference in each set.

Gracie Watson passes the ball against Rosman on Thursday. Blue Ridge lost at home 4-1.

“Today we played as well as we have all year, again,” said Blue Ridge Assistant Coach Carlton Fowler. “In the fourth set we got away from being aggressive and Rosman is a really good team. If you’re not aggressive with a good team they’re going to jump on that. But our girls played great.

Rosman Head Coach Mary Ramey said she was impressed when her girls were trailing on the scoreboard but rallied back for the win.

Charlotte Sherrill tips the ball over the net against Rosman.

“I was proud they fought when they were down,” said Ramey. “They could have rolled over and given up but they came back and pulled it out.”

But as the tight scores show, it was a hard-fought win.

“They (Blue Ridge) had great serves,” said Ramey. “If you can serve a ball well that strengthens your entire offense. But they’re a young team and we’re a young team, it’s going to get good.”

Jade Bryson hits the ball to the Rosman side of the fence.

The fourth set is what sealed Blue Ridge’s fate but freshman Holly Foss said she was proud of her team’s season this year.

“I think we just lost it in that last set, we were down and we weren’t playing together as a team,” said Foss. “We’ve had ups and downs this season but I am really proud of this year, we played great.”

Not everyone on the court thought Blue Ridge was out of sync.

Ashlyn Dodson sets the ball for Rosman. Both teams were playing a consistent three-touch game.

“They (Blue Ridge) definitely came to play, they’re a lot better than the last time we played them,” said Rosman senior Nicole Whitmire. “They were prepared and did not take us lightly.”

Blue Ridge heads to Nantahala to play Highlands in a neutral-conference tournament at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Nantahala High School.

“They’re (Highlands) always good and consistent with hitting,” said Moss. “We’re going to need to block and cover, a lot of it.”