Murphy loses first two conference games to Swain and Robbinsville
Murphy – The Lady Bulldogs fell to Robbinsville on Aug. 27 on the road, then fell to Swain on Thursday.
In the first game, the Lady Bulldogs (3-3) played the Lady Black Knights (7-1) close at first, staying within one point early in the game. The score was tied 8-8 before the Lady Black Knights scored five unanswered points and never looked back.
Murphy would not get any closer than a five-point deficit the rest of the game. Robbinsville led the Lady Bulldogs 18-10, then went on to outscore Murphy 7-3 to take the first set to take a 25-13 win.
Robbinsville’s front-line play in that game was almost perfect. It seemed like every time Murphy would go for a kill, the Lady Black Knights would find a way to block it.
Robbinsville’s strong line play continued in the second game, as the team quickly built a 15-3 lead before the Lady Bulldogs could regroup. Murphy could pull no closer than nine points difference the rest of the game.
Robbinsville went on to win set two 25-12. Liz Carpenter and Claire Barlow stood out for the Lady Black Knights.
Murphy’s best effort in the match came in set three. Robbinsville jumped out to a 4-0 lead and led 10-5 early in the game.
Robbinsville extended their lead to 19-10 before the Lady Dogs mounted a comeback and closed the Robbinsville lead to five points. The Lady Knights closed out the game by outscoring Murphy 5-2 to take the 25-17 win.
Carpenter had 10 kills for the Lady Knights, while Barlow was a monster at the net, registering eight kills.
The Lady Bulldogs started out strong in the first set against Swain County (4-2) on Thursday as they built a 15-10 lead, but the Lady Devils stormed back to take a 20-18 lead. Murphy tied it at 20 apiece, then pulled away to take the first set 25-21.
Swain jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the second set behind great net play by Swain’s middle blocker. The Lady Dogs struggled in the first part of the second set.
Murphy could get no closer than six points during the second set. Swain pulled out to a 10-point lead and never looked back en route to a 25-13 win to even the match at one set apiece.
Swain picked up where they left off in game three as they built a 4-0 lead before the Lady Dogs could register their first score. Murphy stormed back to tie the score at 6-6.
Julia Dockery showed her prowess at the net as she blocked several attempts by Swain to give the Lady Dogs a 10-9 lead. Swain regained the lead and held a two-point advantage most of the game until Murphy tied it at 19 all and then took the lead at 20-19.
Swain fought back with three unanswered points to take a 22-21 lead, only to have Murphy tie it again at 22 all. Swain score the last three points of the set to take a 25-22 win and 2-1 lead in the match.
In the fourth set, Swain jumped out to a 12-3 lead and Murphy never got close, as the Lady Dogs fell 25-8 to end the match.
The Lady Dogs fall to 3-3, with two losses being conference games. Murphy will travel to Nantahala on Thursday for their next match before returning home to host the Franklin Lady Panthers on Monday to kick off a slate on non-conference match ups. Their next SMC game is Thursday, Sept. 19 against Cherokee.