Andrews – The Lady Wildcats’ varsity volleyball team kicked off their 2024 season on Aug. 13 at home against Highlands. In a close match, the Lady Highlanders got the best of Andrews, winning 3-1.
The Lady Cats won the first set 26-24. Andrews (0-2) got out to an early 6-2 lead, but Highlands (1-2) quickly fought back to tie it at six points each. The Lady Highlanders then took the lead and maintained it until late in the set, when it was tied at 23.
Highlands scored a point to be one point to winning the set, but Andrews scored to extend the match. The Lady Cats then scored two straight points to take the first set.
About halfway through the first set, the ball got stuck on top of a light in the gym, resulting in the rally being stopped and neither team receiving a point.
In the second set, Highlands won 25-21 to tie the match at a set apiece. The Lady Cats trailed for almost all of the set, but battled to cut down the deficit late in the set.
Highlands won the third set 25-18, which was their biggest winning margin of the match. The Lady Highlanders jumped out to a quick early lead and didn’t look back, but the Lady Cats were still in the match and so were the fans.
With every point Andrews scored, the fans in the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center loudly cheered. The energy was matched by the Lady Cats on the court.
The Lady Cats fought until the end, which was evident in the fourth set. Andrews took the lead, scratching and clawing to stay in the match, knowing this was a must-win set. Andrews held the lead early until Highlands started to come back.
A great back-and-forth rally helped the Lady Cats crack the 20-point mark, but Highlands was not far behind. Andrews led 23-21 late in the match, but after a timeout, the Lady Highlanders came out and scored four consecutive points to win the set and the match.
“We had moments of greatness, but I feel like overall we played a little bit timid, more defensively minded,” Lady Cats head coach Shanna Mustin said. “We’re a small team and we’re scrappy, but our goal is to come out swinging and be much more aggressive and offensively minded.”
Mustin also said senior Kylie Donaldson stood out for her smart plays, and Chanteah Rattler stood out for her serves. Mustin also added that the whole team gave 100%.
On Monday, the Lady Cats went on the road for the first time this season and lost to Union County, Ga., 3-0.
Their next match is Thursday at home, when they host Nantahala for the first time this season at 5 p.m.