The Lady Cats met a pair of old rivals when they faced the Pickens Dragonettes and host Fannin County on the volleyball court last Thursday.
The Cats were forced to make an adjustment to their lineup after an injury in the opening match versus Pickens, and the Dragonettes and Lady Rebels both earned 2-0 wins over GHS.
“The varsity was doing pretty well and things were going pretty good until Libby Pike injured her ankle early in the match against Pickens,” said head coach Donna Parks. “Putting in someone to play for her on the front row, that has never played front row, was just a little disruptive and everyone had to adjust. That being said, all the girls did a good job of adjusting, but it still looked a little chaotic at times.”
Gilmer narrowly lost to Pickens, 25-23 and 27-25. GHS got a boost from the service line where Elly Callihan scored two aces while Anneliese Vaughn, Adrian Thompson, Taylor McCormick, Pike and Kadie Weaver all had one apiece.
Callihan was the top hitter with eight kills and finished with 10 digs. Vaughn’s eight digs were followed by McCormick’s six. Thompson had five assists and Vaughn was there for three more.
The Fannin match followed a similar formula with the Rebels eking out a 25-23 first set win. FCHS went on a scoring run in set two for a 25-7 runaway victory.
GHS was limited to nine kills, which were tallied by Callihan (four), McCormick (three) and Thompson and Vaughn (one apiece). Both Callihan and McCormick had 10 digs, Gracie Cain was there for seven, Vaughn four and Thompson recorded two. Vaughn led GHS with two aces and three assists.
The junior varsity Cats were in action as well. Gilmer dropped its match to Pickens 25-6 and 25-12. The Cats won the first set versus Fannin 25-23, and after a 25-22 loss in set two, GHS took the final set and match, 15-12.
The C-team Lady Cats took the court Wednesday at home and defeated West Hall 23-22 and 25-18. Versus Dawson, the Tigers came away with a 25-10 and 25-21 win over Gilmer.
“They are doing really well and learning so fast,” Parks said.