-
Lady Devils JV wins 2-1 against Cherokee, Freshman Ryan Ellis makes a play for the ball at the Sept. 5 JV game.
Larry Griffin
lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Last week marked the end of the early season winning streak for the Lady Devils volleyball team – they lost a game against Hayesville on Tuesday, Aug. 29, and then lost a 3-2 match against Murphy at an away conference game. That came after their first several games this season were all wins.
But the team isn’t letting it discourage them, according to Coach Lydia Sale.
The game saw Swain getting 155 kills, 17 total blocks, 66 serving aces, 187 digs, 190 receptions and 142 assists.
For individual players, Gracie Sutton led with 43 kills, 11 total blocks and 16 serving aces, while Kennedy Anthony got 44 digs and Kaley Parker got 114 assists. Izzy Walker, meanwhile, got 64 receptions.
Sale said the plan going forward was to “focus on what we control, which is our attitude, energy and effort.”
“Making sure we control these things will help us get back on track,” she said. “We are still looking to see big results from these girls, they don’t quit.”
The Lady Devils also played a home game against the Cherokee Braves on Tuesday, Sept. 5, which they lost 0-3. The game saw fierce competition with the ball kept in the air by big swings from players, sometimes launched all the way up to the rafters.
The Lady Devils’ next game is scheduled for tonight, Sept. 6, an away game at Smoky Mountain. Then, on Monday, Sept. 11, they’ll play a home game against Tuscola.