Murphy – The Lady Bulldogs’ varsity volleyball team faced tough competition as they hosted Hayesville and traveled to Cherokee last week to face the two highest-ranked teams in the improved Smoky Mountain Conference.
But no match is too big for communities to come together as they did on Sept. 16, when the Lady Bulldogs hosted Cooper’s Night as they faced Hayesville. They held a benefit night to raise money for Cooper Godfrey and his family, as Cooper is battling a brain tumor.
Before the game, Cooper got to help with the coin toss as well as blow the opening whistle to signify the opening serve. Players from both teams gathered in the middle of the court for a prayer circle alongside Cooper before the game got underway.
Cooper’s parents, Jamie and Melissa Godfrey, graduated from Murphy High School, then taught in Murphy during their teaching careers. Lady Dogs head coach Nikol Edwards has been best friends with Melissa since they were in kindergarten.
After the game, Edwards said, “This is pretty special for me. Hayesville, especially in volleyball, has always been considered a big rival because it’s always a good game. I just felt like tonight was bigger than the game. It was more important.”
The Lady Dogs (6-7) played their first of two games when they hosted the Lady Yellow Jackets (13-2). Despite keeping it close the whole game, the Lady Dogs lost 3-0.
From the first set until the end, the game was neck and neck. From the opening serve, both teams stayed within a few points of each other. The game stayed close during the opening set, extending it past the typical 25 points needed to win.
Hayesville won the first set 26-24. In the second set, the Lady Dogs opened with six straight points before Hayesville called the first timeout of the game.
Hayesville fought back to tie the set at 10 apiece. There were numerous lead changes in the second set.
The Lady Yellow Jackets began to pull away late in the set and led 22-18 when Murphy called a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Lady Dogs tried to make a late comeback, but Hayesville won the second set 25-22 to lead 2-0.
Murphy took an early lead in the third set, but Hayesville came back to tie it at 12. Hayesville then grabbed the lead and held it while Murphy remained close behind. Late in the set, the Lady Dogs again tried to make a late comeback, but Hayesville went on to secure the third set 25-21 and win the match 3-0.
Holly Childs and Amelia Joyner led the team in aces with three each. Childs and Saddie Cornwell led the team in kills with seven each. Joyner also had six kills.
Ellie McClure had one solo block, while Cornwell had three block assists. Haven Phillips led the team in assists with 11. Childs led the team in digs with 16, while Joyner had 13.
Edwards said despite the loss, the team showed improvement and worked hard.
On Thursday, the Lady Dogs hit the road to face Cherokee for a second time this season.
Cherokee took an early lead and
won the first set 25-12. The second set was closest in the match, but Cherokee went on to win the set 25-20 to lead 2-0 in the match.
In the third set, Cherokee won 25-15 to win the match 3-0.
Childs, Joyner and Cornwell had one ace each against Cherokee. Joyner led the team in kills with five. Cornwell led the team in blocks with one solo and three assists, while Childs led the team in digs with 16.
Up next
At 6 p.m. Thursday, the Lady Dogs will host Robbinsville. On Monday, they will travel to Franklin to take on the Lady Panthers at 6 p.m.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, they will return home for their final in-county matchup of the season against Andrews.