W. Patrick Queen
Sports Writer
The Hayesville Middle School Lady Yellow Jackets got off to a great start last week as they won two games over Murphy Tuesday, Oct. 5 with scores of 25-12 and 25-12 respectively. Moreover, it was an opportunity for all of the team members to get some playing time, which will only bolster confidence as the team heads into the final games of the fall season.
Game standouts were Jasmine Brooks with 9 kills and two blocks, Ava Shook with 2 kills, seven set assists and 7 ace serves, Blaire Hedden with three ace serves and three defensive digs and Lilly Dockery had three ace serves and five defensive digs in this conference win over Murphy.
As the young team of Coach Laurie Shook to the court in this season’s second meeting with Swain on Thursday Oct. 7, the Lady Jackets suffered defeat at the hands of the undefeated Maroon Devils. This was indeed a week full of very tough, competitive games, both physically and mentally. Hayesville played inspired volleyball in their loss of two very close games, with scores of 25-21 and 25-22.
The top performers in the match were Shook with 1 kill, four set assists, 100 percent serving from the floor and three defensive digs, Ava Moore with 2 kills and three digs, Brooks with one kill, four ace serves and six digs and Bryleigh Krieger with one kill and seven defensive digs.
On Saturday, Oct. 9 the roller coaster ride continued as the last game of the week against Hiawassee Dam got off to a bumpy start. Fortunately for the younger Lady Jackets, they came out on top, even after losing the first game, 13-25.
Not to be deterred, the team fought back to win game two and three with scores of 25-14 and 15-8, respectively. It was a fitting climax to a really hard week of very tough games. Those leading the way to the team win were Krieger with 5 kills, one ace serve and five defensive digs and Olivia Giddens with 3 kills, 11 digs and 1 block.
At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14 the team will bring the season to a close at home against Robbinsville.