By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Highlands junior varsity volleyball team hosted Andrews on Thursday and won the match in the tie-breaking third set. The Lady Highlanders lost the first set, came back and won the second, and ended with a 2-1 final.
Highlands AE Woods passes to a ready-to-rock Katie Earp at home against Andrews on Thursday.
“The first set started off a little rough, but we came back out and did a great job at doing the little things like staying low and just putting the ball where the other team wasn’t,” said Highlands Coach Kaitlin Bishop. “We stayed more focusing on the game instead of focusing on the mistakes.”
Highlands Claire Worley was making saves all over the court as Libero.
Varsity also wins in tie-breaker
Highlands varsity squad followed suite and took Andrews to 5 sets, ending with a final of 3-2. The Lady Highlanders won the final set 16-14.
Highlands Jordan Borino sets up to pass.
“The girls are making improvements each game,” said Bishop. “We have some adjustments and tweaking to do with some things but definitely moving in the right direction.”
From left are Highlands Sadie Green and AE Woods jumping to block an Andrews hit.
Bishop added that the girls really had to fight their way back to win the last set.
“The 5th set was a tough set, we got down 13-9 I think it was and fought hard to come back and win it 16-14,” she said. “As a Coach, having a team get down in a situation like that and come out on top is one of the greatest feelings because you know you have a group that doesn’t give up and that’s something you can’t coach that comes from the heart of the players.”
Highlands varsity and JV volleyball teams play tonight when they host Robbinsville, games begin at 5 p.m.
Highlands Charlotte Westendorf returns a serve and passes to the setter.
Highlands Shirly Diaz stays with a spinning free ball.
Highlands Katie Earp hammers one down on the Andrews side of the net.
Highlands Hannah Valerio serves to Andrews.
Highlands AE Woods saves an errant freeball.
Highlands Birdie Sherwood sets it up against Andrews. Also pictured at the top of the article.
Highlands Sadie Green calls it and lines up for a pass.
Highlands Charlotte Westerndorf slams it down from the back row.
Highlands Claire Worley dives to make a save. This happened a lot throughout the match.
Highlands Jordan Borino gets a pass off in tight quarters near the net.
Highlands Charlotte Westendorf serves to Andrews.
Highlands Shirley Diaz scores one for Highlands.
End