Gilmer High began its volleyball season last week with three matches.
The Cats were in Blue Ridge Wednesday to take on Fannin County and handed the Rebels a 3-0 defeat.
Gilmer made the trip to Christian Heritage the following day to face the host Lions and Heritage Generals. GHS downed Christian Heritage, 2-0, and dropped its match against Heritage, 2-1.
Matches are normally decided using a “best of three” format, but since Fannin and Gilmer were only playing once that day, they played the best out of five sets.
The Lady Cats won in straight sets, 25-18, 28-16 and 25-18.
GHS took advantage from the service line and scored 11 aces on the day. Beth Burnette had five of them and Hope Colwell, Taylor McCormick and Adrian Thompson all had two apiece.
Emma Callihan and Burnette kept the offense flowing with 13 and 12 assists, respectively. Elly Callihan was there for 13 kills followed by McCormick (six) as both Emma Callihan and Emma Deyton each had two.
Defensively, Colwell was responsible for 31 digs, Emma Callihan notched 15 and Deyton had eight, while McCormick blocked two hits.
Thursday’s matches were played using three sets, and the Cats continued to roll against Christian Heritage with a win of 25-18 and 25-16.
Statistical leaders included: aces- Deyton (four). Kills- Elly Callihan (eight), Deyton, McCormick and Emma Callihan (two) each. Blocks- McCormick (one). Assists- Emma Callihan (eight), Burnette (five). Digs- Colwell, Emma Callihan (nine) apiece.
Heritage is a former region opponent of GHS, and the Generals were able to secure the win in three sets. They won the first 25-17 and the third 15-11 with a Gilmer victory of 25-20 in the second set.
GHS did not record any aces, and kill leaders included Elly Callihan (11), McCormick and Emma Callihan (three) each. Blocks- McCormick (three), Elly Callihan (one). Assists- Emma Callihan (10), Burnette (seven). Digs- Colwell (12), Burnette (eight), Deyton (seven).
GHS coach Donna Parks assessed Gilmer’s performance versus Heritage, saying, “Even though we lost, it was the first time I can remember in a really long time that we won a set against them, so that was very satisfying.
“There were some questionable calls made during the match that kind of got the girls off track, and slowed their momentum when they were rallying really well. We all know bad calls happen, we just have to be able to get past them. All in all, for only the second day playing, I think we were all pleased with what the girls displayed on the court.”
The JV Lady Cats also took the court Wednesday against Fannin and lost 25-21 in both sets.
The varsity Cats are 2-1 overall and traveled to Sonoarville at press deadline. GHS will host Union County, Thursday and Murray County, Friday. Matches on both days will begin at 5 p.m.