The Gilmer Lady Cats volleyball team played host to LaFayette High School and Northwest Whitfield. The team played well and looked well-coached, but was only able to win one of the matches. Against LaFayette, Gilmer took the W (25-16(L), 27-25, 25-21) but lost a tough one to the Bruins of NW Whitfield (25-14, 27-25(L), 25-20(L)).The Lady “Cats” started the night off against LaFayette High School. The Lady Ramblers kept it close throughout, with points being traded back and forth. After losing the lead briefly, Emily Reece checked into the game for the Lady “Cats” and turned the game around.

Her powerful serve put the Lady Cats on top 10-6, after scoring five straight points. After a Lady Ramblers’ timeout, the lead was chipped away. Tied at 13, the Lady Ramblers took control of the game outscoring the Lady Cats 12-3 and took the set 25-16.

The second set was a thriller with some rallies lasting forever. The teamwork shown by both sides was a tribute to good coaching. No one was able to pull away with neither team really having an advantage.

Some great serves by Jenna Parks and some clutch kills down the stretch by Brooke Sims are what gave the Lady Cats the advantage late, as Gilmer was able to take the second set 27-25.

Sims picked up where she left off, getting the kill to take a 1-0 lead in the third set. She continued her great play at the net, and the rest of the team followed suit. The Lady “Cats” built an 18-10 lead, which forced LaFayette to take a timeout. This did not slow down Gilmer, as the home team was able take the set and match with a 25-21 victory.

Parks and Reece each had two Aces against Lafayette. Sims led the Lady “Cats” with 12 kills and three blocks against the Lady Ramblers. Britton Farlow led Gilmer with 10 assists. Parks led the team in Digs, with 14 followed by Farlow who finished with 12.

Gilmer’s final match of the night came against the Lady Bruins of Northwest Whitfield. The Lady “Cats” came out firing with an ace from Sarah Lambert. Leading 10-6, Harmony Malham started a string of six straight points behind some strong serves. Back and forth they went from this point, and the Lady Cats won in dominating fashion 25-14.

The second set was a different story. The two teams kept things tight until Gilmer was able to pull away 9-4. The momentum shifted quickly though, as NW Whitfield went on a 10-2 run giving them a 17-12 advantage.

Once again, the game became tied at 18 apiece until Sims had an ace breaking the tie. The rest of the set was a nail-biter as neither team could pull away. Tied at 25, the Lady Bruins scored twice and took the set 27-25.

The third set looked to be another close one early. Things turned bad quickly for the home team though, as the Lady Bruins scored quickly. An 8-1 run by Northwest catapulted them to a commanding 15-7 lead. The Lady Cats fought hard to come back, but were unsuccessful as the Lady Bruins took the set and match, 25-20.

Lambert had seven aces against the Lady Bruins, with Harmony Malham finishing with four. Sims led again with 11 kills and two blocks. Parks also had two blocks against the Lady Bruins, and finished second in kills, along with Herold, with six kills. Farlow led with 11 assists, while Parks led with 12 digs.