JV Jackets begin week with rocky start

By W. Patrick Queen

Sports Writer

  • Pat Queen • Clay County Progress Hayesville’s 2021-22 JV volleyball squad is made up of, first row, from left, Raylyn Taylor, Kaydence Wood, Breanna Abrams and Madison Graves. Second row, Madison Moore, Mallory Peck, Lily Trout and Bronte Bigham.
    Pat Queen • Clay County Progress Hayesville’s 2021-22 JV volleyball squad is made up of, first row, from left, Raylyn Taylor, Kaydence Wood, Breanna Abrams and Madison Graves. Second row, Madison Moore, Mallory Peck, Lily Trout and Bronte Bigham.

    Folks who have had rocky starts to a week know that often, it’s up to them to turn things around. That held true for the junior varsity Hayesville High School volleyball team last week as they suffered defeat in two games against conference foe Murphy at home Tuesday, Oct. 5. The Lady Jackets dropped the first game 25-14 and the second, in a real nail-biter, ended 25-21.

    That could have been the start to a really bad week. However, this talented group of young volleyballers refused to keep heading downhill. Hayesville got back in the win column Thursay, Oct. 7 by defending The Hive  against Swain County. The Lady Jackets took the match victory with scores of 25-15 and 25-21. 

    Standout play by Raylyn Taylor with five digs, 11 assists and an ace, coupled with Madison Moore’s 7 kills and nine digs and Mallory Peck’s 5 kills, six digs and three aces, led the way for the Lady Jackets impressive win which brought their season record to 11-2.

    The final matchup of the week came Saturday, Oct. 9 in a rescheduled game against the Lady Eagles of Hiwassee Dam. The Lady Jackets got off to a sluggish start, losing the first game 25-20. The next two games went their way thanks to the overall consistent play of the team. 

    Taylor was again solid with 1 kill, two digs and 15 assists. She was joined in her exceptional play by Moore who had 9 kills and two digs along with Peck who had 9 kills out of 19 attempts and two aces. Lily Trout contributed to the win with 4 kills, two digs,one assist and 2 aces while Madison Graves added to the Hayesville’s stats with 2 kills, five digs and two aces. 

    The Lady Jackets will end their regular season at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 as they host Robbinsville.