With an audience sea of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Highlands Volleyball’s blue and gold faced Hiwassee Dam’s blue and white Thursday. Highlands left with an unfortunate 3-0 loss on Senior Night.
Following a JV win against Hiwassee Dam, Highlands paused to congratulate its senior class. Four seniors walked out to face the stands.
Olivia Cole, Catelynn Couch, Caitlin Tingen, and Mackenzie Woods, were announced and celebrated, along with their post graduate plans.
Cole has been a part of Highlands Volleyball for four years. She was accompanied by Ruthie Edwards, Edward Cole, and sister Margaret Cole. She is also part of the soccer team, the Interact Club President, FFA Student Advisor, a Beta Club member, and editor-in-chief of the yearbook. Cole plans to attend a four-year college to study biology before heading to medical school.
Couch was escorted by Codie and Melanie Couch and her brother Henry. She is also involved with the soccer team, Interact Club, and she is the SGA Secretary. She plans to attend college and major in interior design.
Tingen has been on the volleyball team for four years. She was accompanied by Thomas and Stacie Platt and Robert Dudley. Tingen was named all-conference in volleyball as a junior along with being a team captain this year. She is also the FFA president, class president, Interact Club sergeant at arms, and members of the Beta Club and soccer team. After graduation, Tingen plans to attend a four-year school to major in pre-veterinary studies.
Woods has been with the volleyball team for four years. She was accompanied by John Woods and her brother Patrick. Woods has also been part of varsity basketball and soccer for three years. She plans to attend to a four-year university.
“You’re not going to find a better group of kids than those four. They work hard, they’re dedicated, they truly love one another,” said head coach Kaitlin Bishop. “They give me their best every time they hit the court. They’re some of those athletes coaches hope to get a chance to coach one day.”
Before the varsity game, the referees were also honored as part of the National Federation of State High School Associations’ fall sports officials appreciation week.
The varsity teams then squared off. Highlands and Hiwassee Dam were fairly well matched throughout the first two sets.
Points were neck-and-neck for the beginning of the first set with each team trading points. Highlands soon pushed the gas, leading 16-12 lead until Hiwassee caught up. The score ticked to 17-16 with Highlands still in the lead.
As Hiwassee sent ball after ball just barely over the net and into Highlands territory, Highlands was unable to maintain their lead, despite impressive effort by Olivia Corbin, to keep the ball in play.
Hiwassee Dam held Highlands to 17 points while Hiwassee kept scoring, taking the first period 25-17.
Highlands came out with a similar lead for the second period, quickly rising to 3-0 with help from a block at the net from Tingen. Hiwassee recovered the block and sent it back over the net to be blocked by Woods. The ball went out of bounds, giving Hiwassee the first point, 3-1. Highlands momentum was halted and Hiwassee soon caught up with a score of 5-5. Highlands scored a few more points, bringing the game to 8-5.
The two remained neck-and-neck for much of the second period, bringing the score to 15-15. Hiwassee took a 19-17 lead and took the second period with a score of 25-19.
Heading into the third and final period, Highlands was unable to keep their energy. Hiwassee took a strong lead and kept it. The score quickly rose 11-3 with Hiwassee ahead. Hiwassee Dam took the final period with a score of 25-10.
With an away game at Blue Ridge Tuesday and tonight’s home game against Nantahala, varsity volleyball will close out their regular season. The Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament and NCHSAA state playoffs are still to be determined.