2 county teams face Swain, Lady Cats win and Dogs fall
Along with their in-county matchups, the three varsity volleyball teams in Cherokee County also saw conference opponents later in the week.
Andrews played two Big Smoky Mountain Conference games, while Murphy played one. Hiwassee Dam also played its first Little Smoky Mountain Conference opponent of the season.
Lady Wildcats @ Swain
The Lady Cats played their second game of the week when they traveled to Bryson City to face the Maroon Devils (6-5) on Sept. 9.
For the first time since Sept. 2, 2021, the Lady Wildcats defeated Swain County. The last time they defeated the Lady Maroon Devils, Andrews was also on the road.
Andrews jumped out to an early lead and won the first set 25-19. The Lady Cats also won the second set by the same 25-19 score to lead 2-0 in the match.
The momentum then shifted and Swain County won the third set 25-15. Both teams battled in the fourth set, and Swain tied the match 2-2 after winning the fourth set 25-23.
In the fifth set, the Wildcats fought and won 15-10 to win the match 3-2 for their fourth straight win. The Lady Cats and Maroon Devils will play again when they host Swain at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.
Lady Wildcats @ Hayesville
The Lady Wildcats traveled to Clay County to face the Lady Yellow Jackets (11-2) on Thursday, when they lost 3-0, ending their four-game win streak.
Hayesville took the lead early and won the first set 25-14. The Lady Jackets won by a bigger margin in the second set as they won 25-10 to lead the match 2-0. The third set was close as both teams battled, but Hayesville won the set 25-21 to win the match 3-0. The two teams will play again as Andrews will host Hayesville in the regular season finale at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Lady Eagles vs. Bears
The Lady Eagles played their third match of the week against Summit Charter (1-9) in their first Little Smoky Mountain Conference opponent of the season.
They returned to The Nest on Thursday where they played the Lady Bears. Both teams heading into the match winless, but the Lady Eagles prevailed for their first win of the season.
The Lady Eagles started the game with four straight points, prompting a Lady Bears timeout. The Lady Eagles continued to lead until the Lady Bears fought back to tie the first set at 10 each.
Summit Charter took their first lead when they led 14-13, but the Lady Eagles immediately got the lead back. The Lady Eagles closed out the first set 25-22 for an early lead in the match.
Summit Charter battled back to win the second set 25-18 to tie the match at 1-1.
Hiwassee Dam took a commanding lead early in the third set, as the Eagles led 11-5 when the Lady Bears called a timeout.
The Lady Bears fought back to within a few points, but the Lady Eagles continued to lead. The Lady Eagles closed out the second set 25-20 to lead the match 2-1, one set win away from their first win of the season.
The fourth set started as a back and forth battled with multiple ties and lead changes. The Lady Eagles called their first timeout of the set as the Lady Bears led 12-10. The lead didn’t last long, as the Lady Eagles tied it up and regained the lead.
Late in the set, a timeout was called as the Lady Eagles led 19-16. Hiwassee Dam outlasted Summit Charter and won the fourth set 25-21 to take the match 3-1.
Lady Bulldogs vs. Swain
Murphy hosted Swain County on Thursday night in the Lady Maroon Devils’ second straight match against a Cherokee County opponent.
The Lady Devils took the lead early by winning the first set 25-17. They won the second set 25-14 to lead the match 2-0.
Both teams battled deep into the third set, but Swain won 26-24 to win the match 3-0. Murphy will play Swain again at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Bryson City.
Up next
All three teams will be back in action Thursday. Andrews will host Rosman at 6 p.m. Murphy will travel to Cherokee at 6 p.m. to face the Braves, while Hiwassee Dam will travel to face Highlands at 5 p.m.
On Monday, all three teams will play at home. Hiwassee Dam will host Copper Basin, Tenn., at 5 p.m., Murphy will host Franklin at 6 p.m. and Andrews will host Smoky Mountain at 6 p.m.
Then at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Andrews will travel to Robbinsville, while Murphy will travel to play at Rosman at 6:30 p.m.