Spirits were high when Highlands varsity volleyball team took on Cherokee at home on Tuesday and won with a clean 3-0.
Highlands also celebrated Senior Night and Coach Katy Postell said the five seniors who played their last regular season home game will be missed.
Highlands Seniors:
Jeslyn Head
Kedra McCall
Morgan Olvera
Sayla Roman
Bailey Schmitt (right)
“They will leave a lot of guidance and leadership holes in the team,” she said. “They will not easily be replaced by anyone next year.”
Postell added she’s going to miss their love for their teammates and consistent laughter throughout the season.
“It’s been fun watching this group grow into amazing young ladies,” said Postell. “They all have wonderful lives ahead of them and I look forward to watching how their lives progress after high school.”
Highlands Jeslyn Head returns a serve against Cherokee on Tuesday at home on Senior Night.
Highlands senior Jeslyn Head said it hasn’t sunk in that she has played her last home game.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,” she said. “When basketball rolls around it will be eye opening. I’m going to miss my teammates and all the friends I’ve made on the team.”
Highlands Kedra McCall kills it against Cherokee.
Highlands senior Kedra McCall said she was still processing the feeling after a solid victory against Cherokee.
“It hasn’t hit me yet, going from the first game of the season to now, it just hasn’t hit me yet,” said McCall. “I really tried to take time in that last set and remember it.”
Highlands Team Manager senior Sayla Roman said she’ll miss the “insanity” of the team’s shenanigans.
“I’m happy to be moving on but at the same time I don’t want to leave everyone,” said Roman. “They’re all crazy and it was amazing.”
From left are Highlands Bailey Schmitt and sister Julia May Schmitt blocking against Cherokee and playing together at their last regular season home game.
Highlands senior Bailey Schmitt said there are several things she’ll miss about the team, but mostly playing each day with her teammates.
“I’m going to miss all the girls, especially playing with my sister [Julia May],” said Schmitt. “Plus, all the singing on the bus. I’m going to miss all of that.”
Highlands Morgan Olvera goes for a free ball on Senior Night.
Postell said the Lady Highlanders are looking ahead to next season to fill those gaps and are ready for the challenge.
“We have a lot of young talent returning and moving up, they should slide in nicely but when you lose such great girls it’s always a challenge to rebuild,” she said.
Highlands next plays in the first round of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference at approx. 5:30 p.m. tonight at Blue Ridge against Nantahala.
Highlands Madi Drummonds kills it on Senior Night against Cherokee.
Highlands Alyson Dayton dives for the ball on Senior Night.
Highlands Tessa Wisniewski sets it up on Senior Night.
Highlands Ava Schmitt kills it against Cherokee.
Article and Photos by Brian O’Shea
plateaudailynews@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @plateaudailynews
Like us on Facebook HERE
Advertise click HERE
