The Gilmer High Lady Cats had their work cut out when they entered last week’s area volleyball tournament.
The event was held Wednesday at North Hall High School, and the No. 7 seeded Lady Cats faced No. 2 seed Lumpkin County in the opening round. After a 2-0 defeat, GHS met No. 3 seeded Dawson County in the consolation bracket. The Tigers won 2-0 as well to eliminate the Cats and end their season.
Lumpkin secured wins of 25-17 and 25-16 over the Cats. GHS was not expecting to face Dawson, but the Tigers were upset by West Hall in the first round. DCHS was able to notch wins of 25-20 and 27-25 versus Gilmer.
“It was sad to see the season come to an end. We seemed to struggle through most of our season this year,” said head coach Donna Parks. “Along with the tough times, however, we did have some remarkable, good times on the court. Adrian Thompson and Anneliese Vaughn stepped up to the challenge of taking over the setter positions this year and did a great job on the court. We also lost some great passers last year and we struggled as a team to dig balls up and get them in play.
“We fought through two weeks of quarantine at the beginning of the season, had several injuries that caused some changes to the lineup on several different occasions. But the girls overcame those obstacles, and I think the whole team pulled together and made strides toward becoming even better next year.”
GHS individual statistics versus Lumpkin included, aces: Taylor McCormick (two), Thompson, Vaughn and Kadie Weaver (one each). Kills: Elly Callihan (10), Weaver (three) and Hali Hice, McCormick (two apiece). Blocks: Callihan (two) and Vaughn (one). Assists Vaughn (12) and Thompson (six). Digs: Thompson (seven), Callihan and Weaver (six) and Vaughn (four).
Against Dawson, aces: Vaughn (three), McCormick and Hice (one each). Kills: Callihan (seven), Hice and Vaughn (two) and Weaver (one). Callihan one block. Assists: Vaughn (eight) and Weaver (one). Digs: Callihan (12), Weaver (five), Thompson (four) and Hice, Reagan Boling and Vaughn (three).
GHS finished the season with a 10-30 overall record.