Lady “Cats'” Claws Bring Pause to Dragonettes’ Flame

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

On an emotional tear filled night, the Gilmer High School Lady “Cats” volleyball team, led by seniors Morgan Penland, Kaella Johnston, Cheyenne Frady, and Tiana Longino were victorious on senior night against the Pickens Dragonettes. The night featured wins by both the junior varsity and varsity squads.The evening got started with the JV Lady “Cats” taking on the JV Dragonettes. In game one the Dragonettes took charge early and didn’t let up. PHS ran out to a 4-0 start and finished game one with a 25-22 win.

In game two the Lady “Cats” jumped out in front 11-3 and made sure the Dragonettes weren’t going to make quick work of them in their home gym, taking the game 25-18, forcing a game three between the two.

The rubber match began with each team trading scores with Gilmer holding a 6-5 advantage. The Lady “Cats” then scored 15 unanswered points in one run, closing the door on the Dragonettes, winning the game and the match with a final score of 25-6.

Immediately after the match was over, the JV squads cleared the court and the stage was set for the seniors to be recognized. Being escorted by their family, #7 Kaella Johnston, #5 Morgan Penland, #11 Cheyenne Frady, and #16 Tiana Longino made their way to mid court to receive flowers and a gift from their teammates to show appreciation for the seniors.

After the pictures were taken and the gifts put away it was time to get down to business. The Lady “Cats” were all work and no play in the match against the “Nettes”.

Gilmer took off out of the gate scoring seven unanswered points. The Lady “Cats” were led by Frady who scored four of the first seven points. Gilmer put the ball in the hands of Jenna Parks who served for seven points in a row with four aces in the mix.

With the score 14-4 in the home team’s favor, the Dragonettes called a time out. Coming out of the time out the Dragonettes went on a 5-0 run, led by Headon and Boggus, closing the gap to 14-9. However, the Lady Cats, were resilient and took back control, behind Frady and Parks, to close the game out at 25-15.

In game two the Dragonettes had to fight to keep the match alive, once again being led by Headon with 4 points of her own. Yet, the Lady Cats, with a little extra inspiration behind them on senior night had other plans.

Being led by Parks who in game two had 4 more aces and Longino who had 6 of the Lady “Cat’s” points in game two, Gilmer took off with a 13-8 lead. The “Cats” did not let up the entire match getting three points from senior Johnston, two aces from senior Penland, and two points from senior Frady.

The Dragonettes took a second time out, with the score 19-15, which proved to be helpful, as PHS scored three straight points after the time out. It was not enough as the visitors eventually fell 25-18 securing the sweep for the home team.

Article Written by
Greg Z. Weaver

Back to Top