Rivals clash with heart, fall short at districts
Two things resulted from that match: the Lady Governors showed why they’re the best team in the District, and the Lady Admirals showed why no team should ever look past them.
Blount won the match three sets to one. But all four sets were close, and, according to FHS coach Andre Alves, his girls might well have won the fourth.
“You know, we could have had that last set,” Alves said. “We gave them a run; we fought hard. I’m proud of the product we put out there.”
In the first set, WB built a 9-3 lead, then traded points with FHS to a 25-19 win. An 11-3 run by the Lady Governors midway through the second set led to a 25-20 set win, and a two-sets-to-none lead.
Down 14-12 in the third, FHS won six of the next seven to lead 18-15. Blount scored three straight to tie it, but the Lady Admirals won seven of the final 11 to take the set 25-22.
Each team had scoring streaks in the final set: 5-1 by WBHS to open the set, five in a row by FHS followed by five in a row by Blount. When the Lady Admirals scored four straight late in the set, it was tied at 19
But the Lady Governors finished off the set, and the match, winning six of the final eight to take the set 25-21.
Sophomore libero Hailey Aiken had 27 digs for Farragut. Senior setter Bella Ekeler had 19 digs and 24 assists.
“We did (give them a run); we fought hard,” Alves said. “I’m proud of the product we put out there.”
“They’re a solid team,” Ekeler said. “I thought we played really hard, but we just couldn’t get it.”
Bearden 3, Farragut 1
The next night at home, Farragut’s season came to an end as the Lady Admirals lost to archrival Bearden, three sets to one. The match, to no one’s surprise, was very close: FHS won the first set 25-23, then lost 28-26, 25-23, and 25-22. In the fourth set, the Lady Admirals were up 22-16, then lost nine straight points. Farragut’s final record is 15-11.
“We made too many errors at critical moments in the match,” Alves said.
“Little errors and bad decisions will lead to game losses,” sophomore outside hitter Hope Blackiston said. “We all wanted it; I think both teams played amazing.”
Alves reflected on the ‘25 season: “I’m extremely proud of their growth throughout the season and excited for what the future holds.”
Maryville 3, Bearden 1
After defeating Farragut Wednesday night, the Lady Bulldogs saw their season come to a close with a three-sets-to-one loss to Maryville later that night.
Bearden won the first set 25-17, then lost 25-22, 25-23, and 25-15. Coach Katy Davidson looked back on her fourth season at BHS: “I’m just proud, proud of how much we grew, fought for each other and stayed true to who we are. This team built something special.”
