The Andrews varsity volleyball team faced a tough week, when they lost to two Smoky Mountain Conference opponents and one out-of-state team.
The Lady Wildcats (8-7) started their week with a trip to Georgia to face Union County. They then faced SMC-leading Cherokee at home, then wrapped up the week against Rosman.
They kicked off their three-game week with their only trip to Georgia this season to take on Union County (18-11) on Sept. 15.
The Lady Panthers took an early lead and won the first set 25-16. They then won the second set 25-15 and third set 25-17 to win the match 3-0.
The Lady Wildcats returned home for their first of two home matches during their three-game week. They hosted Cherokee (17-8) on Sept. 16 and fell 3-0.
Cherokee won the first and closest set of the match 25-18, then won the second set 25-14. With their 25-11 win in the third set, Cherokee won the match 3-0 for their sixth consecutive shutout.
On Thursday, the Lady Cats returned home to face Rosman (5-8) for the second time this season. After defeating them 3-1 on Aug. 26, they hoped they would do the same this time around – but it was a different story.
The first set Thursday started off back and forth, but Rosman began to pull away. Andrews trailed 10-5 when the Lady Cats called an early timeout.
Out of the timeout, they began to fight back. Rosman led 22-16 when they called a late timeout. Rosman went on to win the first set 25-20 to take the early 1-0 lead.
Rosman again took an early lead in the second set, but then the Lady Cats fought back to tie it at 12. Drea Cutshaw got an ace on the next serve the give the Cats a 13-12 lead.
The lead was short-lived for the Cats. Rosman regained the lead and went on to win the set 25-22 to lead 2-0 in the match.
It was back and forth early in the third set as Rosman gained the lead, but the Lady Cats were still within striking distance. Late in the set, Rosman began to pull away and won 25-18 to win the match 3-0.
After the match, Lady Wildcats head coach Shanna Austin said her team needs to reset after a stretch of tough losses in tough matches.
“I think tonight we just came in after a long week and felt a little tired and probably a little overconfident. We weren’t ready for them, and they definitely came to play,” she said.
Heading into their next matches, Mustin said the Lady Cats will need to stay present in the match they are playing and not get ahead of themselves.
Up next
The Lady Cats will travel across the county to face Hiwassee Dam at 6 p.m. Thursday.
They will travel to Sylva to face Smoky Mountain at 6 p.m. Monday.
Andrews will play its final in-county game when the Lady Cats take on the Murphy Lady Dogs on the road at 6 p.m. Tuesday night.