Highland Tech's best volleyball season ends

GASTONIA - Highland Tech's best volleyball season in school history came to a screeching halt Tuesday.

Rosman never trailed in a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13. 25-15) second-round 1A state playoff win. But as lopsided as the match was, Highland Tech's previous accomplishments made the loss bearable.

The Rams' five conference wins represented the most in the school's eight-year history. Saturday's playoff win was only their second. And Highland Tech was the last team standing in Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland counties.

"It's been amazing," senior Kristen Layne said. "It's really kind of overcome the stigma that Highland's always had as being a great school academically but a joke as a sports team."

Highland Tech ends its season at 7-15 after going 5-11 for a sixth-place tie in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference.

Against Rosman (17-8), the Rams dug themselves an early hole and never recovered. The Big Smoky Mountain's No. 2 seed scored the first eight points of the first game and later led 17-4 before winning 25-14.

"I told them if we hadn't dug that eight-point hole, we would have been right with them at the beginning," Highland Tech coach Sharon Ratchford said. "You always want to try to start off good, but it didn't quite happen tonight."

Rosman led the second game 10-4, forcing Highland Tech to call timeout. The Tigers then coasted to a 25-13 win. The Rams made the final game more competitive, trailing 15-11 and 16-12 before Rosman scored nine of the final 12 points to close out a 25-15 win.

"They're a very good team," Ratchford said. "I was proud of the girls."

Layne provided some highlights for Highland Tech, tallying four blocks and two kills. Bry'anne Robbins delivered four blocks, one kill, two aces and four saves while Jenny Cousart chipped in with a pair of blocks and kills.

Rosman had advanced with a 3-0 win over Nantahala, while Highland Tech had moved on with a 3-0 win over South Stokes, a wild-card team. The Tigers advance to face Hiwassee Dam on Thursday.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.