Hiwassee Dam edges Andrews in five sets

    Andrews – The Hiwassee Lady Eagles and Andrews Lady Wildcats went head-to-head in a roller coaster match last Thursday, with the Lady Eagles edging out the Wildcats in five sets.
    Andrews (0-5) came out swinging to start the match, catching Hiwassee Dam (4-2) by surprise. But the Lady Eagles found their footing and down the Lady Wildcats 25-22 in the first set.
    In the second set, the Lady Wildcats bounced back, winning their first set of the season 25-21 and playing with a fire that head coach Shanna Mustin had yet to see in the young season.
    “I really think that tonight was the first night I’ve seen them play 100 percent, as a team, all in,” Mustin said. “They’re working hard and they’re improving every single game.”
    Hiwassee Dam seemed staggered at first, but the Lady Eagles quickly regained their composure and handled the Lady Wildcats 25-5 to take a 2-1 lead in the match heading into the fourth set.
    However, Andrews refused to hang their heads and roared back to life in the fourth set, battling with Hiwassee Dam and forcing a fifth set with a 25-19 set win.
    “After that third set, the girls could have easily changed their whole demeanor,” Mustin said. “And they didn’t do that. So I’m very proud of them. Consistency is our Achilles’ heel but we’re a fairly young team and so, I feel like as the season progresses we’ll see that.”
    Hiwassee Dam finished off Andrews in the fifth set, downing the Lady Wildcats decisively 15-4 to close out a valuable bounce-back win for the Lady Eagles.
    “Each week we’re improving,” Hiwassee Dam head coach Sam Walker said. “This week we showed some heart, we had that tough loss to Highlands. But I think we’ve been doing a good job right now.”
    The Lady Wildcats were able to bounce back and get their first win against the Nantahala Lady Hawks on Tuesday night after the Cherokee Scout’s press time.