FHS vball 4th at state
MURFREESBORO — When Farragut High School’s volleyball team headed to the Division I-AAA State Tournament in Murfreesboro last week, it was brimming with confidence. The Lady Admirals had won the District 4-AAA and Regional 2-AAA tournaments, and had cruised in the Sectional round.
An opening-round loss to Houston (a sweep) Tuesday, Oct. 22, was followed by a three-set sweeps of Blackman Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Collierville Thursday morning, Oct 24.
To stay alive in the double-elimination tournament, FHS would have to beat perennial power Brentwood Thursday afternoon.
After winning the first set 25-17, FHS dropped the next three to end the season at 31-7. The Lady Ads finished fourth at state.
“We got punched in the mouth (after the first set),” Alves said of the season-ending loss to the Lady Bruins. “They had the best middle hitter I’ve seen in a long time. Their right-side hitter could jump out of the gym. They would not let their team lose.”
The final three set scores were 25-22, 25-11 and 25-21. “They were just better,” Alves said.
Against Houston, Alves thought the moment was a bit too big for his girls. “Not to take anything away from Houston,” he said, “but the stage was a little frightening for the girls. We couldn’t serve and pass.” The Lady Mustangs won 25-23, 25-19 and 25-14.
FHS rebounded nicely the next day against Blackman, winning 25-15, 25-22 and 25-23 in the loser’s bracket.
“Extremely proud the way they bounced back,” Alves said.
Collierville was another straight-set win: 25-21, 25-21 and 25-20. “Our players were locked in,” the coach said of this match.
For Alves, “I have to say as a player and coach, this was one of my favorite seasons, club or high-school,” the Brazilian-born second-year coach said. “They’re such a unique group, all combined, and they chose to buy in.
“We faced a lot of adversity but through it all we worked hard together to win together,” Paisy White, senior middle hitter, said.
“Playing for this coach and with these girls has been such an honor and a blessing, to have made it so far in the season with them,” Loryn Neely, senior utility player, said.
