By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Highlands faced off against Blue Ridge Early College on Oct. 16 in the first round of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference girls volleyball tournament held in Hiwassee Dam and won 3-0.
Highlands Mallory Shriver scores on a tip against BREC during a midseason game in September in Highlands. The LSMC Tournament took place in Hiwassee Dam this year.
“In the first round of the tournament we played Blue Ridge and came out and really took control in the first and second set,” said Highlands Coach Kaitlin Bishop. “The 3rd set we were trailing towards the end of the match, but came together and were able to capitalize to seal the win at the end.”
BREC April Corona returns a Highlands serve.
Highlands finishes the season with a 7-16 record overall, 5-1 in conference. The Lady Bobcats finished the season with a 5-12 record overall, 2-4 in conference.
Highlands Caitlin Tingen hammers down a spike for a point.
The Lady Highlanders advanced to round 2 of the tournament and took on Hiwassee Dam, but ended up losing with a final of 3-1.
BREC Vanessa Williams scores a point on a kill against highlands.
“The girls came out in the first set and played some of the best volleyball they have played all year,” said Bishop. “In the second set we dug ourselves a hole that we just never could get back out of. Hiwassee Dam kept momentum going into the third and fourth sets and Highlands just couldn’t ever get back into a rhythm.”
Highlands Oliva Corbin scores on a kill against BREC.
Bishop said the season went well and she’s proud of the girls.
BREC Izzy Moody bump-sets a ready to rock Amber Ward.
“Our record does not reflect how much growth we made through the year,” said Bishop. “I am extremely proud of our team for their hard work and dedication from day one. We did not play an easy schedule and even when we fell short we showed up to compete with some of the best.”
Highlands Aislynn Wyatt-Luck returns a BREC freeball.
Blue Ridge will lose senior Vanessa Russell next year and she was recognized on Senior Night at home on Oct. 10.
Senior BREC player Vanessa Russell was recognized on Senior Night at home on Oct. 10.
Highlands will say goodbye to four senior players, including Mac Woods, Caitlin Tingen, Catelynn Couch, and Olivia Cole.
Highlands recognized senior players from left Mac Woods, Caitlin Tingen, Catelynn Couch, and Olivia Cole on Senior Night at home on Oct. 5.
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BREC Amber Ward passes a Highlands freeball.
Highlands Catelynn Couch goes for the kill against BREC.
BREC Brooklyn Kenney digs a Highlands spike.
Highlands AE Woods sets up a hit against BREC.
BREC McKenzie Woods scans where she wants to land a serve against Highlands.
Highlands Olivia Cole digs a kill slammed down by the Lady Bobcats.
BREC Izzy Moody scores a point against Highlands.
Highlands Birdie Sherwood winds up for a hard hit against BREC.
BREC McKenzie Woods passes against Highlands.
Highlands Mac Woods sets the ball against BREC. Also pictured at the top of the article.
BREC Vanessa Russell hits a freeball from the back row against Highlands.
Highlands Coach Kaitlin Bishop talks strategy during a timeout against BREC at home.